John B. Howard, Interim Chair and CEO
Phone: 518-474-2523

Thomas Congdon, Executive Deputy
Phone: 518-474-2523

Bipartisan by law since 1970, the Commission consists of up to five members, each appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate for a term of six years or to complete an unexpired term of a former Commissioner. The Chair is designated by the Governor. The Commission is assisted by the Department of Public Service. The Commission Chair is the chief executive officer of the Department.

The primary mission of the New York State Department of Public Service is to ensure affordable, safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York State’s residential and business consumers, while protecting the natural environment. The Department also seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets that benefit New York consumers through strategic investments, as well as product and service innovations.

Secretary to the Commission

Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary to the Commission, Ethics Officer
Phone: 518-474-4520
Email: secretary@dps.ny.gov

The Secretary provides support to the Commission and is responsible for maintaining the records of the proceedings within the Department of Public Service. The Secretary provides for the coordination of the components of Commission proceedings that include, among others, issuing Notices in order to ensure that all interested persons have a fair opportunity to be heard. The Secretary also ensures utility and staff compliance with Commission orders. The Secretary serves as a Secretary for the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.

The Department Ethics Officer provides guidance to Commissioners and Department Staff concerning ethical responsibilities as Department employees and as employees of New York State, as set forth in the Public Service Law, Public Officers Law, and other relevant statutes, regulations, and policies. The Department Ethics Officer is available to consider inquiries from the public and regulated entities concerning the ethical responsibilities of the Department, Commissioners and Department employees.

Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection

Rory I. Lancman
Phone: 518-518-474-4223
Email: rory.lancman@dps.ny.gov

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo established the position of Statewide Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection to represent the interests of residential and commercial customers of New York's regulated electric, gas, water, and telecom companies, with the ability to participate as a party in Public Service Commission proceedings, conduct hearings and investigations, undertake discovery to compel documents and testimony, and otherwise marshal the resources of the Department of Public Service to safeguard the interests of ratepayers and hold accountable those utilities and telecoms which fail to meet their contractual and regulatory obligations to their customers.

Public Affairs

James Denn, Director
Phone: 518-474-7080
Email: Web.Questions@dps.ny.gov

Public Affairs serves as an advocate for the Commission's and Department's utility regulatory policies, programs and initiatives. It conducts an integrated internal and external communications program. The office strives to establish a framework to foster communication with the public and other constituencies through coordination of several different agency activities. Further, it ensures that such efforts accurately represent the Commission's decisions and the Department's advocacy on behalf of consumers.

Long Island Office

Guy Mazza, Director
Phone: 516-490-2345

The Long Island Office oversees the Department's operations on Long Island. The Long Island office is charged with examining the core utility operations of PSEG Long Island, and advising the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) with its role in overseeing the activities of PSEG Long Island.

Office of Administration

Donald Duvall, Director
Phone: 518-474-2508

The Office of Administration is comprised of three sections which provide administrative support to and operational management of the Department.

The Human Resources Management section oversees all programs and policies relating to employment of Department personnel. Responsibilities include staff development and performance, employee relations, classification and compensation, and affirmative action.

The Administrative Management section provides organizational and administrative services to support internal management and Commission operations. This includes implementation of administrative policies; records, contract, and telecommunications management; and space planning, printing, mail, and other office services.

The Finance and Budget section oversees and ensures compliance with all Department fiscal policies and procedures. Key activities include developing and monitoring budget and spending plans; administering payroll, employee travel, contractor and vendor payments; revenue collections; and coordinating the Department's Internal Control Program in concert with the Internal Control Officer.

The Office of Administration also works closely with the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (OITS) to develop and support the Department's hardware and software network. Key functions include systems security, planning, development and maintenance; user training and technological support; Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services; and application development and maintenance.

Consumer Services

Bruce Alch, Acting Director
Phone: 212-837-7244

The Office of Consumer Services represents the voice of the consumer for all activities overseen by the Commission. This position ensures that regulated energy, telecommunications and water utilities, as well as third-party energy providers, comply with relevant regulations and adhere to best practices in regards to the services provided to mass market consumers, with a particular focus on low income and special needs consumers. The Office of Consumer Services takes and resolves consumer complaints and utilizes consumer input to develop consumer policy. The Advocate, through its external channels and established Consumer Advisory Council, represents all relevant consumer interests at the Commission.

The Office of Consumer Services develops and implements policies and tools to facilitate consumer engagement in energy usage and purchase decisions. It also is responsible for retail access and ESCO matters with the exception of compliance, including policy issues and market development.



Markets & Innovation

Marco Padula, Director
Phone: 518-473-1714

Clean Energy

Peggie Neville, Deputy Director
Phone: 518-473-1714

Clean Energy is responsible for all clean energy initiatives including energy efficiency, Renewables, NYSUN, NYSERDA coordination, NY Green Bank, Environmental Disclosure and Community Choice Aggregation.

Market and Regulatory Economics

Warren Myers, Director
Phone: 518-474-1721

Market and Regulatory Economics is responsible for market analytics and oversight, including market and auction design, and market competitive analysis. It is also responsible for regulatory issues such as econometric forecasting, rate design, and incentive and economic efficiency analysis. Input is provided on all types of cost-benefit analysis, including utility procurements and investments, Energy Efficiency and distributed resource valuation, and transmission and generator siting cases.



Office of Resilience and Emergency Preparedness

Kevin Wisely, Director
Phone: 518-486-2899

The Office of Resilience and Emergency Preparedness oversees regulated utility emergency preparedness and response. The Emergency Preparedness section is responsible for maintaining and updating DPS Emergency Management Operations Protocols, Emergency Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan, including the coordination of department emergency preparedness, training, exercising and response. The Resilience Section oversees and provides input into utility targeted hardening initiatives, vegetation management specifications and special programs, utility long term planning review and guidance and assists with the development and tracking of reliability indices. The Utility Security Section oversees utility cyber and physical security preparedness.



Enterprise Risk Management

David Bell, Director
Phone: 518-408-0748

The Office of Enterprise Risk Management is responsible for identifying particular events or circumstances (risk and opportunities) relevant to the Department’s objectives, assessing them in terms of likelihood and magnitude of impact, determining a response strategy, and monitoring progress. By identifying and proactively addressing risks and opportunities, the Department is better positioned to protect and create value for its stakeholders. Internal auditing plays an important role in Enterprise Risk Management as it brings a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the Department's risk management, control, and governance processes.



Office of General Counsel

Robert Rosenthal, General Counsel
Phone: 518-474-2510

The Office of General Counsel provides legal representation and advice to the Department of Public Service, the Public Service Commission and the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. The Office of General Counsel also represents and appears on behalf of the people of the state in all actions or proceedings involving any question related to the Public Service Law or within the jurisdiction of the Commission in court and before federal agencies, and prepares proposed regulations and legislation.

Office of Hearings

Dakin Lecakes, Chief Administrative Law Judge
Phone: 518-486-5802

The Office of Hearings consists of support staff and Administrative Law Judges, who are assigned to all proceedings in which hearings are held and to other cases where the assistance of a judge would be beneficial. Judges oversee development of the official case record, analyze arguments and evidence offered by parties, offer advice and recommendations about how issues should be resolved by the Commission or N.Y.S. Siting Board, and draft Commission and Siting Board decisions. Judges may also be separately assigned to serve as mediators to assist parties in settlement negotiations.

Office of Telecommunications

Debra LaBelle, Director
Phone: 518-474-1668

The Office of Telecommunications is responsible for overseeing the performance of the telecommunication and cable television companies under Commission jurisdiction. The Office is divided into three sections as follows:

Carrier Operations section assures that the prices, terms, and conditions of services to consumers are reasonable and adhere to Commission policies. The section is responsible for issues that arise between competing telephone companies (e.g., the review and arbitration of interconnection agreements) and matters involving multiple carriers including telephone numbering;

Municipal Assistance group, within the Carrier Operations section, provides assistance to cities, towns and villages -- as well as cable television operators -- on cable television issues. This includes assistance with cable franchises, the approval of franchises, and franchise transfers, Public, Educational and Government (PEG) access issues and the resolution of disputes between municipal authorities and cable television operators; and the

Network Reliability section evaluates telecommunications systems to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards and provides real-time reporting of outages affecting telecommunications networks in support of the state's overall emergency response effort and monitors the restoration of networks following emergencies and natural disasters.

Office of Electric, Gas, and Water

Tammy Mitchell, Director
Phone: 518-486-2483

Utility Rates & Services focus includes rate cases, tariff filings, system planning and operations, emergency preparedness, gas safety, and utility security (including cyber security), and advanced technology, including smart grid, as well as responsibility for transmission and generation siting.

Accounting, Audits and Finance

Jeff Hogan, Acting Director
Phone: 518-474-4508

Accounting, Audits and Finance performs financial audits and examinations relative to utility rate changes, mergers/acquisitions, fuel clause operations, prudence reviews, and state and federal tax changes. The Office also reviews petitions seeking specialized accounting treatment and approvals to issue financial securities. The Office participates on interdisciplinary teams in all utility industries to assist in ensuring that regulatory actions at Federal, State and local levels align with market conditions. In addition, the Office conducts management and operations audits of utility construction programs, planning and operational efficiencies.