Level the playing field for utility customers

New York utilities spend millions of dollars per year, collected from consumers’ utility bills, to argue before regulatory bodies for rate increases on those very same consumers. Essentially, consumers are paying their utility companies to propose and defend increases in consumer rates.

Bill S.3034-A (Parker) / A.873-A (Cahill) would establish an intervenor reimbursement process at the New York State Department of Public Service (PSC) so that groups of individuals or not-for-profit organizations that represent residential or small business customers can apply for reimbursement of the cost for reasonable advocate's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs involved in participating in proceedings before the PSC. The Senate recently passed this bill, but the Assembly must pass it too before this year’s legislative session ends on June 2^nd to deliver fairness for utility consumers.

Please urge your State Assembly member to pass A.873-A (Cahill) to level the playing field by giving residential ratepayers their own meaningful voice in matters that affect the cost and reliability of their utility services.

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Dear Decision Maker,

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I urge my Assemblymember to help New York utility consumers by passing A.873-A (Cahill). This legislation to establish an intervenor reimbursement process at the Department of Public Service would provide groups of individuals or not-for-profit organizations that represent residential or small business customers with the opportunity to apply for reimbursement of the cost for reasonable advocate's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs involved in participating in proceedings before the Public Service Commission.

Utility companies spend millions of dollars per year, collected from consumers’ utility bills, to argue before regulatory bodies for rate increases on those very same consumers. Essentially, consumers are paying their utility companies to propose and defend increases in consumer rates. Utility companies are well-funded and well-represented in rate proceedings, while consumers have fewer resources and less representation at the negotiating table.

The proper functioning of the regulatory process depends on a vigorous and full professional representation of consumers that is separate from and independent of the regulatory body. Industrial and commercial consumers employ legal counsel and experts to represent their interests before state and federal regulatory bodies, while residential consumers find it nearly impossible to pool resources to secure independent legal counsel and experts to represent themselves. This bill could help change that dynamic.

The Senate has already passed this bill. I implore you, don’t go home in June without taking action in the Assembly to stand up for utility customers. Please pass A.873-A (Cahill) now. Thank you!

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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