Groups to Call on Governor to Open Up Appointment Process for PSC Commissioners

Organizations signing the letter to Gov. Paterson include the American Lung Association in NY, Center for Independence of the Disabled, Citizen Action of NY, Common Cause/NY, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Harlem Consumer Education Council, Hunger Action Network of NYS, Interfaith Council for Action, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of NYS, NYS Community Action Association, NYPIRG, NY Statewide Senior Action Council, NY Media Alliance, NYS Community Action Association, People's Production House, Public Utility Law Project, and Rural Law Center.

New Yorkers for Fair and Affordable Utility Service, a coalition of over 40 groups, will release a letter to Governor Paterson urging him to commit to an open appointment process for filling PSC vacancies and recommends he adopt "Proposed Qualifications" for potential nominees. The coalition includes consumer, environmental, good government, labor, legal services, media, senior, and tenant organizations. Queens Assemblyman Michael Gianaris will join the coalition at the news conference.

VISUALS will include Posterboard illustrating disparity between NYS utility rates and lower rates in other states; and Posterboard of "Put the PUBLIC back in the Public Service Commission"