Groups Blast Secretive Public Service Commission Appointment Process

• by Common Cause of New York

NEW YORK, NY (12/17/2008)(readMedia)-- A growing coalition of organizations today expressed disappointment and surprise that Governor Paterson nominated and the New York State Senate approved the nomination of James Larocca to the Public Service Commission Monday in the final moments of a special session, according to reports in the Times Union newspaper. While the coalition of organizations takes no position at this time on Mr. Larocca's qualifications to serve on the PSC, the groups were startled that the State Senate calendar appears to be the only public indication that Mr. Larocca was even being considered by the Governor, who nominates members of the PSC, and the State Senate, who must consider the Governor's nominees.

A number of organizations representing a wide array of interests, including Common Cause/NY, the Public Utility Law Project, NYPIRG, People's Production House, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, New York State Community Action Association, and Consumers Union, have begun to meet in coalition to focus on reforming the PSC, the state regulatory agency which is charged with oversight of all utilities and energy companies, including electric, water, natural gas, and telecommunications, such as cable.

"This sort of unannounced appointment undercuts the public's faith that the PSC is operating on their behalf, and not on behalf of the special interests," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/New York. "We hope the Governor and the Senate Majority will commit to a transparent process and a truly public vetting process for the two vacancies expected on the PSC in the coming months. The PSC's responsibility to approve and enforce appropriate rates and environmental controls for utilities is far too important to be slipped through without public notice. New Yorkers facing financial challenges at the start of a cold winter need to know that the PSC is looking out for their interests as they work to insure that their family budgets include enough to pay for electricity, heat, water , phone service, internet, and cable. Frankly, we expected a more open process from Governor Paterson."

Gerald Norlander, Executive Director of the Public Utility Law Project, said "PSC Commissioners have enormous impact on affordability and reliability of utility services essential to families, the public welfare and the economy of the state. There should be more transparency to appointments and confirmations for these important positions in the future."

"Governor Paterson must put the 'public' back in the Public Service Commission and that starts with an open process for nominating and confirming appointments to the PSC," said Russ Haven of NYPIRG. "Given the PSC's central role in energy related environmental and consumer issues, there should be a public discussion about who sits on the Commission, including their qualifications and commitment to consumers and the environment."

"Transparency in the selection of PSC commissioners is vital in ensuring that the public interest is protected when it comes to awarding the hugely lucrative cable TV franchises statewide," said Dan Coughlin, the Executive Director of Manhattan Neighborhood Network, a public access center providing media education and cable TV services to local residents. "Affordability, customer service, and the urgent need for diverse local programming in cable television are issues that cannot be swept under the rug any longer."

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