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History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5218
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to including the Long Island power authority within the meaning of the terms "utility corporation" and "public utility corporation" for purposes of certain provisions of such law
Purpose
To provide that the Long island Power Authority (LIPA) shall be subject to the full oversight of the Public Service Commission.
Summary of provisions
This bill would amend section 2(24) of the Public Service Law by including LIPA in the definition of "utility corporation"/ " public utility corporation" for purposes of Articles one, two, four and six.
Justification
Since its creation in 1986, LIPA has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability to its ratepayers. Over the years, there has been multiple attempts at securing both valid information on LIPA dealings and public participation in its operations and rate making.
Calls for investigations have occurred throughout LIPA's existence. The Comptroller issued a report in 2005 which stated "LIPA has avoided PSC scrutiny of its actions that increased prices by terming them surcharges, while expanding the list of items included in a fuel and purchased power surcharge. Those actions, along with the limited oversight provided by its Board of Trustees, past misuses of ratepayer funds, and the burden higher electric prices are placing on the Long. Island economy demand that the PSC conduct a thorough review of LIPA". The Governor has recently ordered the State Inspector General to launch an audit of LIPA.
The agency that was developed and tasked with the oversight of utilities is the Public Service Commission. This bill would place LIPA under the Commission's jurisdiction and oversight.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.