Public Service, Department of

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Agency Web Site: http://www.dps.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The primary mission of the New York State Department of Public Service 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. The Department seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets that benefit New York consumers through strategic investments, as well as product and service innovations. The Department also 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 consists of five members who are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Chairman serves as the chief executive officer of the Department, which operates offices in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Long Island and Syracuse.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends funding of approximately $105 million, an increase of approximately $9 million from FY 2019 Enacted Budget levels, for the Department's role in utility regulation and ratemaking, as well as storm response and public safety oversight. The year-to-year increase is due to additional appropriations to support eight new FTEs in the area of Article 10 siting and ITS related contractual obligations. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 528 employees, an increase of eight from FY 2019 levels.

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

Program Highlights

The Department’s budget has two programs. The Administration program supports the Public Service Commission and Department activities. The Regulation program 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.

The Department 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.
  • Implement 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, the Department will continue to monitor progress towards achieving the goals of the Clean Energy Standard, which, in part, mandates that 50 percent of all electricity consumed in New York by 2030 comes from clean and renewable energy sources.
  • 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.
ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2019
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
Change From
FY 2019
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
State Operations 89,672,000 98,932,000 9,260,000 5,500,000
Aid To Localities 5,750,000 5,750,000 0 5,698,000
Total 95,422,000 104,682,000 9,260,000 11,198,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19
FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20
FTE Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Other 65 65 0
Regulation of Utilities
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 25 25 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 430 438 8
Total 520 528 8

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 5,500,000 5,500,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 84,172,000 93,432,000 9,260,000
Total 89,672,000 98,932,000 9,260,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Other 12,761,000 13,386,000 625,000
Regulation of Utilities
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 5,500,000 5,500,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 71,411,000 80,046,000 8,635,000
Total 89,672,000 98,932,000 9,260,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 13,386,000 625,000 7,516,000 282,000
Regulation of Utilities 85,546,000 8,635,000 42,585,000 1,458,000
Total 98,932,000 9,260,000 50,101,000 1,740,000
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration 5,870,000 343,000
Regulation of Utilities 42,961,000 7,177,000
Total 48,831,000 7,520,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Special Revenue Funds - Other 5,750,000 5,750,000 0
Total 5,750,000 5,750,000 0

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Regulation of Utilities
Special Revenue Funds - Other 5,750,000 5,750,000 0
Total 5,750,000 5,750,000 0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019