Recognizing that working families and seniors need somebody in Albany and Washington DC to stand up for their interest in utility regulatory proceedings, Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson) announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would create a Utility Consumer Advocate (A.180-A).
“When your cable, phone or electric company goes to Albany or Washington to ask for permission to raise your rates, build an expensive new pipeline or power plant, who is sitting on the opposite end of the table, presenting a case on behalf of hardworking families and seniors?” asked Magee. “Often nobody is there speaking for the average man or woman who pays the bills. While agencies like the Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission often ask hard questions of the utilities they regulate, they would be benefited by a dedicated consumer advocate making the case for the public.”
The legislation would create the New York State Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (UCA) to provide residential utility consumers with an independent representative during state and federal regulatory proceedings involving utility companies that offer electric, natural gas, internet, cable television, telephone and wireless communication services.
The UCA would participate in a wide variety of proceedings before the Public Service Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory bodies to ensure that regulators understand the concerns of middle-class families and seniors.
The measure is strongly supported by AARP of New York, who believes that seniors, especially those on a fixed-income, would be benefited by somebody who could go to regulatory proceedings and be the voice of seniors and those who can’t necessarily spend the hours required to fully understand the impact of regulatory decisions.1
“There are many seniors and families across upstate New York who struggle to pay their bills,” said Magee. “We need to make sure regulatory agencies are hearing the full story, and that utilities are serving the interest of the public when they ask for permission to raise rates or build expensive new pipelines, power plants or other energy infrastructure.”