BILL NUMBER: S1847A
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring
evidence and consideration of the economic impact of utility rates and
charges by the public service commission
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require consideration of the economic impact of increased rates or
charges on consumers and the areas affected by the increases.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
1) amends sections 65, 79, 89-b and 91 of the public service law to
require the commission to consider the economic impact of any major
increase in the rates or charges of gas, electric, steam, water-works,
telephone, or telegraph corporation.
2) adds a new section I19-a to the public service, law, requiring the
commission to consider the economic impact of any proposed increase,
prior to approval of such increase. This evidence shall include:
a) the latest unemployment data, median income information, and. the
number of people receiving public assistance in area affected.
b) the average monthly utility bills for each class of customers
affected by the proposed increases and the estimated increased utility
bills for these customers.
c) the latest consumer price index figures indicating the average cost.
of living and the average cost of fuel and utilities for the nation and,
if possible, for the state or service area affected.
On A-print: Strikes just and reasonable considerations from all sections
and requires instead that the Public Service Commission procure an
"Economic Impact Assessment" for each utility service area without
considering median income, and relying solely on the federal consumer
price index, unemployment, and number of persons receiving social
assistance as originally stated
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The spiraling cost of utility services places an increasingly heavy
burden on consumers. By requiring the PSC to consider the economic
impact of further rate increases, the utility's needs for the requested
raise would be weighed against the ability of its customers to obtain
1981-1982: A. 2457 - Referred to Ways & Means
1980: A.3911 - Passed Assembly
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S1847: 65 public service law, 65(1) public service law, 79 public service law, 79(1) public service law, 89-b public service law, 89-b(1) public service law, 91 public service law, 91(1) public service law