Adjusted Executive
Appropriation Request Percent
2000-01 2001-02 Change Change
AGENCY SUMMARY
Special Rev.-Fed. 1,188,000 1,445,000 257,000 21.63%
Special Rev.-Other 68,413,300 64,354,000 (4,059,300) -5.93%
Total for AGENCY SUMMARY: 69,601,300 65,799,000 (3,802,300) -5.46%
STATE OPERATIONS
Special Rev.-Fed. 1,188,000 1,445,000 257,000 21.63%
Special Rev.-Other 64,013,300 63,954,000 (59,300) -0.09%
Total for STATE OPERATIONS: 65,201,300 65,399,000 197,700 0.30%
Administration
Special Rev.-Other 10,087,300 9,986,000 (101,300) -1.00%
Total for Program: 10,087,300 9,986,000 (101,300) -1.00%
Regulation of Utilities
Special Rev.-Fed. 1,188,000 1,445,000 257,000 21.63%
Special Rev.-Other 53,926,000 53,968,000 42,000 0.08%
Total for Program: 55,114,000 55,413,000 299,000 0.54%
AID TO LOCALITIES
Special Rev.-Other 4,400,000 400,000 (4,000,000) -90.91%
Total for AID TO LOCALITIES: 4,400,000 400,000 (4,000,000) -90.91%
Regulation of Utilities
Special Rev.-Other 4,400,000 400,000 (4,000,000) -90.91%
Total for Program: 4,400,000 400,000 (4,000,000) -90.91%
ALL FUNDS PERSONNEL
BUDGETED FILL LEVELS
Current Requested
Program 2000-01 2001-02 Change
Administration 104 102 (2)
Regulation of Utilities 515 496 (19)
Total All Other Funds : 619 598 (21)
TOTAL: 619 598 (21)
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
(Executive Budget: pp.417-419)
The Department of Public Service (DPS) is the staff of the Public Service
Commission (PSC) and has the mandate of ensuring that New Yorkers have access to
reliable and reasonably priced utility services. The PSC is responsible for
regulating rates and services of the State's public utilities, as well as
overseeing the citing of major electric and gas transmission lines and
facilities, and ensuring the safety of natural gas and liquid petroleum
pipelines. As a result of legislation enacted in 1996, the Department's mandate
was expanded to include the oversight and regulation of the cable industry.
Approximately 98 percent of the Department's staff are financed by utility
assessments pursuant to Section 18-a of the Public Service Law and by cable
assessments. The remaining two percent are financed by Federal grants, coin-
operated telephone fees, and citing application fees.
This agency is included in the Public Protection and General Government
appropriation bill.
State Operations
The Governor recommends All Funds State Operations appropriations of
$65,339,000, a net increase of $197,700. This appropriation change is
attributable to the following:
--A $1,428,000 increase associated with salary adjustments and other
operational costs;
--A $1,567,000 decrease reflecting the elimination of 19 positions in the
Regulation of Utilities Program and two positions in the Administration Program;
--An appropriation of $80,000 Special Revenue Funds - Other funds in a new
Underground Facilities Safety Training Account which consists of redirected
General Fund revenues collected pursuant to Section 765 of the General Business
Law; and
--$257,000 net increase in Special Revenue Federal appropriations in the
Pipeline Safety Grant Program which includes funding to support a Damage
Prevention Grant from the Federal Department of Transportation to support call
centers that provide comprehensive underground line information to construction
projects.
The Executive retains funding in nonpersonal service appropriations for a public
education program on utility restructuring within the PSC's base. For SFY 2001-
02, $965,000 is included for an outreach program.
Aid to Localities
The Governor proposes a decrease of $4,000,000 from the Electric Generating
Intervenor Account. Pursuant to Section 164 of Article 10 of the Public Service
Law, these monies are intended to support municipal and other parties'
Activities related to proposed electric generation facility citings. The
governor includes a reappropriation of the $4,400,000 from State Fiscal Year
2000-01 for the same purpose.
Article VII Legislation
The Governor proposes Article VII language authorizing programs to be funded
through utility assessments for the following agencies: the Departments of
Health, Economic Development, Environmental Conservation, Agriculture and
Markets, as well as the New York State Energy Research Development Authority,
Consumer Protection Board and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation. The Governor also places this authorizing language directly in
the appropriation bills.