Harlem residents urge Senator Perkins to Hold Hearings on Public Service Commission Nominations
Written by Joshua Breitbart Wednesday, 25 March 2009 16:32
Group joins a growing chorus to put the “public” back into the Public Service Commission
New York City – Over two dozen constituents of State Senator Bill Perkins are urging him to use his authority as Chair of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions to hold public hearings on the Governor's nominations for the NY State Public Service Commission (PSC). The letters came from Harlem seniors who are concerned about their access to basic utility services in these trying economic times. People's Production House, a national media education and advocacy organization based in New York City, delivered the letters via fax and mail.
As the state regulating body that oversees all utilities, including electricity, natural gas, cable television, telephones, cell phones, and private water service, the PSC holds great influence over the the daily lives of New Yorkers. The five members of the commission are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. No more than three of the five members can be from the Governor's party.
An earlier appointment by Governor Paterson was announced and approved on the same day, preventing the public from having any input into the process. The Governor recently chose to reappoint two sitting members of the PSC, passing up a chance to reshape this important agency.
The State Senate has yet to decide whether it will hold hearings on the appointments, but a growing coalition is pressuring them to do so. New Yorkers for Fair and Affordable Utility Service (NYFAUS), a coalition of 50 consumer, environmental, good government, and media organizations, delivered letters to the Governor on January 29 and to Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith on February 4 calling for a transparent appointment process.
The letter from the Harlem residents to Senator Perkins says,
I believe the Public Service Commission (PSC) is critical to my well-being and to the health and safety of my family and my community. Everyone using electricity or natural gas, a cell phone, cable TV, or water from a private company in New York state is affected by the PSC's decisions. The PSC must be transparent and open to the concerns of all New Yorkers in order to be effective.
The Governor has nominated two current Commissioners for new terms on the PSC. We are writing to urge you to use your authority as Chair of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions to hold public hearings on these nominations. We believe it is time to put the “public” back into the Public Service Commission. We need the Senate to use its power of advice and consent to ensure that we have Commissioners who are committed to reasonable utility rates, strong consumer protection, and transparent decision-making.
Why should you care? In these tough economic times, we need a PSC that protects vulnerable New Yorkers from wild fluctuations in the cost of basic services.
What can you do? People's Production House urges you to contact your State Senators and urge them to hold a public hearing on the Governor's nominations to the Public Service Commission. Find your State Senator now.
