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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE 


                          Adjusted     Executive    Legislative                       
                           Approp.       Request        Approp.
                           2000-01       2001-02        2001-02       Change


STATE OPERATIONS
  Special Rev.-Fed.      1,188,000     1,445,000      1,445,000            0 
  Special Rev.-Other    64,013,300    66,754,000     66,754,000            0 
  Total for 
  STATE OPERATIONS:     65,201,300    68,199,000     68,199,000            0 

AID TO LOCALITIES
  Special Rev.-Other     4,400,000       400,000      4,400,000    4,000,000 
  Total for 
  AID TO LOCALITIES:     4,400,000       400,000      4,400,000    4,000,000

Agency Mission

The Department of Public Service (DPS) is the staff arm of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and has the mandate of ensuring that New Yorkers have access to reliable and reasonably priced utility services. The PSC is responsible for regulating rates and services of the State's public utilities as well as overseeing the siting of major electric and gas transmission lines and facilities, and ensuring the safety of natural gas and petroleum pipelines. As a result of the legislation enacted in 1996, the Department's mandate was expanded to include the oversight and regulation of the cable industry.

Year-to-Year Change

On an All Funds basis, the Executive proposes a decrease of $3,802,300 or 5.5 percent from State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2000-01 for the Department of Public Service.

Legislative Proposals

The Executive proposes a $4,000,000 Special Revenue-Other decrease from State Fiscal Year 2000-2001 in the Electric Generating Intervenor Account. Pursuant to Section 164 of Article 10 of the Public Service Law, these monies are intended to support municipal and other parties' activities related to proposed electric generation facility sitings. The Assembly Plan adds $4,000,000 to restore the account.

The Executive proposes the elimination of five positions from the Utility Intervention Program which is administered by the State Consumer Protection Board. The Utility Intervention Program provides representation for consumers in rate proceedings before the Public Service Commission in order to allow the Commission to make fair and balanced decisions. The Assembly adds $434,000 in the budget of the State Consumer Protection Board to restore the positions eliminated by the Governor.

The Assembly Plan includes language to require that agencies receiving reimbursement pursuant to Section 18-a of the Public Service Law for activities relating to utility regulation shall report to the Legislature and the Executive on the expenditure of such funds.


INTERVENOR ACCOUNT - INCREASE. $4,000,000 ATL/SRO