Public Service, Department of

Agency Web Site: http://www.dps.ny.gov/

Mission

The primary mission of the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) is to ensure affordable, safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York State’s residential and business consumers, while protecting the natural environment. DPS seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets that benefit New York consumers through strategic investments, as well as product and service innovations. In addition, it oversees the siting of major electric and gas transmission lines and facilities and ensures the safety of natural gas and liquid petroleum pipelines.

Organization and Staffing

The Public Service Commission (PSC) consists of five members who are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The chairperson serves as the chief executive officer of DPS, which will have 528 FTEs in FY 2023, and operates offices in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Long Island and Syracuse.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends appropriations of approximately $117.5 million, an increase of $5.4 million from FY 2022.

In addition, the FY 2023 Executive Budget proposes legislation that would discourage the use of natural gas as a fuel of choice; this legislation would also allow facilities providing geothermal energy to be owned by or operated by gas and/or electric corporations.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Environment and Energy (PDF)

Program Highlights

The DPS budget has two programs: the Administration Program, which supports the Public Service Commission and DPS activities, and the Regulation Program, which undertakes activities to ensure fair and reasonable rates, monitor service standards, address consumer complaints, promote efficient operation, and ensure that industry construction programs meet safety and environmental requirements.

DPS will continue the following priorities in the coming year:

• Ensure just and reasonable utility rates, along with safe and adequate electric, gas, steam, and telecommunications service.
• Continue implementing the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) which is fundamentally transforming the way electricity is distributed and used in the State. Under REV, New York is spurring innovation to create a power system that uses more distributed, resilient, and cleaner sources of supply to ensure New York customers benefit from cleaner and more affordable electricity.
• Provide regulatory oversight of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's administration of the Clean Energy Fund. Similarly, DPS will continue to monitor progress towards achieving the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act which mandates that 70 percent of all electricity consumed in New York by 2030 must come from renewable energy sources and zero emissions from the statewide electrical demand system in 2040.
• Conduct electric transmission siting reviews, oversee the responsible development of a smart electric grid, and ensure the safety of the State’s natural gas pipelines.
• Educate consumers and resolve consumer-utility disputes to ensure fair and responsible utility service.

In 2021, DPS approved the sale of the recently de-activated Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant to Holtec International, which is now responsible for spent fuel management on-site, and decommissioning the plant pursuant to federal and state standards. In 2022-23, DPS will hire a state resident inspector to monitor decommissioning and spent fuel management activities at the site to:

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• Review Holtec’s compliance with the PSC's order approving the sale;
• Provide referrals to other regulatory agencies as warranted; and,
• Provide the State’s Decommissioning Oversight Board with regular informational updates.

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Note: Most recent estimates as of 05/11/2020