Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that her bill to restore a consumer protection representative to the state Energy Planning Board has passed through the state Assembly (A.7069). The legislation is an effort to provide New York’s ratepayers with a voice in the development of the state’s future energy plans. The bill awaits action in the State Senate.

“Consumers deserve to be at the table when it comes to decisions that will impact the rates they pay and the services they receive,” Assemblymember Didi Barrett said. “This legislation would simply make sure that ratepayers have a say in the direction of the state’s energy plan moving forward.”

Specifically, Barrett’s legislation would authorize the Secretary of State to appoint a person from the Consumer Protection Division’s Utility Intervention Unit to the state’s Energy Planning Board. In 2012, the Utility Intervention Unit was transferred to the Department of State, and the consumer protection representative spot on the Energy Planning Board was lost. The bill would restore the unit’s seat on the Energy Planning Board.

The State Energy Planning Board is responsible for creating plans to meet future energy demands, while balancing all major aspects involved, including: economic development, climate change, environmental quality, health, safety and welfare of the public, transportation and consumer energy cost objectives. Currently, the Energy Planning Board consists of members from a variety of state agencies representing all related interests, except a consumer advocate, Assemblymember Barrett explained.

“On the local level, in the merger discussions between Central Hudson and Fortis, we have been seeing the important role the consumer voice can play to the benefit of workers and the public,” Barrett said. “My bill will ensure that this strong consumer voice is heard by those in charge of developing the state’s energy plan.”