Assemblyman Buchwald's Bill Improving Oversight of Utility Companies Passes State Senate

Legislation Will Be Sent to Governor Cuomo for His Signature

June 20, 2013

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) announced that his bill to help ensure that customers are given a stronger voice to complain about power outages has unanimously passed the State Senate. Bill A.5556, which unanimously passed the State Assembly in May, would for the first time require that the Public Service Commission include a proper complaint form on its website, and explicitly allow the duration of a power outage to be a basis for filing a complaint with the Commission. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature before becoming law.

“Our area experienced unacceptably long power outages in the weeks following Superstorm Sandy,” Assemblyman Buchwald said. “This bill takes steps to correct preventable mistakes to ensure a better response from utility companies in the wake of similar disasters, and I’m proud that this important measure is one step closer to becoming law.”

The Public Service Commission oversees New York’s utility companies. By tracking complaints regarding utility response times, the commission can better work to address recurring problems, improve communication and be more prepared for future natural disasters, Assemblyman Buchwald noted.

To get the bill passed in the State Senate, Buchwald teamed in a bipartisan fashion with State Senator Jack Martins (R-Long Island), whose district, like in Westchester, was severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy. In January of this year, Assemblyman Buchwald testified at the State Moreland Commission hearing in Westchester County on the subject of utility response, and recommended this legislation to improve oversight and communications between utility companies and customers.

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