Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D- Hudson) announced her bill to restore a consumer protection representative on the state Energy Planning Board has gained Senate sponsorship from Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk (A.7069). The bill passed the Assembly in 2012 unanimously. Now, with Senate sponsorship, Barrett is hopeful that the bill will pick up more steam toward becoming law.

The state Energy Planning Board is in charge of preparing a state energy plan that will meet future energy demands across New York State with reliable, economical and clean energy resources. The board consists of members from a variety of state agencies representing all related interests, except an advocate for the consumer, Barrett noted.

“Consumers have been shut out of the process and that is simply wrong. Rate payers deserve someone at the table looking out for their interests when the state makes future energy plans,” said Assemblymember Barrett said. “This legislation addresses that missing piece on the Energy Planning Board. I look forward to partnering with Senator Tkaczyk to assure consumers have a voice on the board.”

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk said, “New Yorkers pay extraordinarily high utility rates and should have someone on the state Energy Planning Board who is solely dedicated to representing their interests. I am proud to support Assemblymember Barrett’s measure because it would help to protect New York’s utility ratepayers, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support it as well.”

In 2012, through restructuring, the consumer protection representative on the state Energy Planning Board was lost. This bill would reinstate the position, giving the secretary of state power to appoint someone from the Utility Intervention Unit – part of the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of State – to serve on the state Energy Planning Board and advocate on behalf of the consumer’s best interest.