[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL AND STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES ANNOUNCED THE FINAL RULES FOR THE STOP ADDICTIVE FEEDS EXPLOITATION ACT.

THIS IS LEGISLATION THAT WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR IN 2024 THAT STRIVES TO PROTECT KIDS FROM ADDICTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA ALGORITHMS.

SINCE THEN, THE QUESTION HAS BEEN, WHAT COMPANIES WOULD HAVE TO ADHERE TO THESE RULES AND HOW?

THE STANDARDS LAID OUT BY HOCHUL AND JAMES THIS WEEK CLARIFY THAT SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES THAT HAVE ADDICTIVE ONLINE PLATFORMS WILL NOW ARE TO ADHERE TO RULES AROUND PARENTAL CONSENT AND VERIFYING THE AGE OF USERS.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL EXPLAINED EXACTLY WHAT SHE'S HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THESE STANDARDS.

>> AS NEW YORK'S FIRST MOM GOVERNOR, IT WAS REALLY SAD TO SEE KIDS WERE DEPRESSED AND SUICIDAL.

I WENT TO ONE GRADE SCHOOL, AND THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL THERE SAID SHE HAS APPOINTMENTS WITH THIRD AND FOURTH GRADERS WHO ARE FEELING VERY DEPRESSED AND ANXIOUS ALL THE TIME AND EVERYONE HAD A CELL PHONE IN THEIR HANDS HOLDING THEM CAPTIVE.

SO WE PROPOSE THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND LAW TO SHIELD KIDS FROM ADDICTIVE FEEDS.

AND YES, THERE'S A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO THAT.

THERE WERE A LOT OF FORCES THAT DID NOT WANT US TO TAKE THIS ON, BUT WE SAID WE HAVE TO PROTECT THEM.

CORPORATIONS LINED UP AGAINST US.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EFFORTS AND LOBBYING AND ALL THE OTHER PRESSURE POINTS THAT WE'RE SO ACCUSTOMED TO, BUT WE BUILT AN UNSTOPPABLE COALITION.

>> AND APART FROM PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE, NEW YORK LAWMAKERS HAVE ALSO BEEN TRYING TO SHORE UP SUPPORT FOR A BILL THAT WOULD ADDRESS SEARCH WARRANT COMPLIANCE BY SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES.

SUPPORTERS SAY THAT COMPLIANCE BY COMPANIES COULD HELP WITH PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT THE ABILITY TO INTERJECT BEFORE CRIMES ARE ACTUALLY COMMITTED.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER PHIL STECK, WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF THE CAPITAL REGION IN THE LOWER CHAMBER, SPONSORS THE BILL AND SAYS THAT COMPANIES SHOULD ADHERE TO A 72-HOUR WINDOW FOR COMPLYING WITH WARRANTS.

DAVID LOMBARDO OF WCNY, THE CAPITAL PRESS ROOM, SPOKE WITH THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPETUS OF THE BILL AND THE LEGISLATIVE JOURNEY AT THE CAPITOL.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELL, ASSEMBLY MEMBER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> GREAT.

SO YOU CARRY LEGISLATION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY THAT ADDRESSES THE TIMELINESS OF COMPLIANCE BY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WITH SEARCH WARRANTS THEY MIGHT RECEIVE.

WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THIS LEGISLATION?

>> SO WE HAD A CONSTITUENT WHOSE GRANDSON HAD DIED AS A RESULT OF SOME DRUG THAT THE-- THAT HE BOUGHT ON THE INTERNET AND IT WAS TAINTED WITH FENTANYL AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED HIS DEATH.

THE POLICE WERE ALREADY ONTO THAT PARTICULAR DRUG DEALER.

A SEARCH WARRANT HAD BEEN ISSUED TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY, BUT THERE WASN'T TIMELY COMPLIANCE AND THAT IS WHAT RESULTED IN THE INDIVIDUAL'S DEATH.

>> SEVENTY-TWO HOURS TO COMPLY WITH A SEARCH WARRANT IS THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN YOUR LEGISLATION.

DOES THAT MEAN THAT ANY INFORMATION THAT IS REQUESTED NEEDS TO BE HANDED OVER WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD?

DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH GESTURE THAT YOU'RE GETTING THE BALL ROLLING?

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OF THIS?

>> WELL, (CHUCKLES) I THINK THE LEGISLATION CLEARLY REQUIRES COMPLIANCE.

MEANING, PROVIDE THE INFORMATION WHETHER THERE'S GOING TO BE STALLING AND HORSING AROUND, I CAN'T ANSWER THAT.

I WOULD HOPE NOT.

I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD REALIZE THAT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, CAN SAVE LIVES, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN ACTUAL PRACTICE.

THESE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES HAVE BECOME SO POWERFUL.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO IN MANY WAYS, ARROGANT THAT I'M NOT SO SURE THEY CAN SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS.

>> WELL, WHAT WOULD BE SORT OF ENFORCEMENT TOOL THAT A LOCAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE COULD TURN TO IF, LET'S SAY, THIS POWERFUL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM SAYS, NO, THANK YOU, OR IT'S GOING TO TAKE US LONGER?

>> THEY HAVE TO ASK THE COURT TO HOLD THEM IN CONTEMPT AND YOU KNOW, CONTEMPT CAN INVOLVE FINES.

IT CAN INVOLVE IMPRISONMENT.

IT WOULD BE THAT KIND OF A PROCESS.

>> SO THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE LEGISLATION TO NEW YORK.

I SAW THAT, I THINK, COLORADO HAD SOMETHING SIMILAR.

BUT DESPITE THE FACT THAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, HOW DO YOU GET AROUND ANY SORT OF MAYBE FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNS OR FOURTH AMENDMENT CONCERNS ABOUT SEARCH AND SEIZURE?

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO NAVIGATE HERE AT ALL?

>> NOT REALLY BECAUSE THE FIRST AMENDMENT OR FOURTH AMOUNT CONCERNS WOULD BE IN THE NATURE OF THE WARRANT, ITSELF.

SO WE'RE SEEKING, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT WAS PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT LIKE YOUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT ISSUES THAT YOU RAISE ON THE SHOW, THAT WOULD CLEARLY BE PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

IT WOULD NOT BE A VALID WARRANT, BUT THE PROPER THING TO DO WOULD NOT TO IGNORE IT, BUT TO MOVE TO QUASH IT, AND THEN YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT FOURTH AMENDMENT.

SO YOU CAN'T ISSUE A SEARCH WARRANT THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY PARTICULARIZED.

WHAT THEY USED TO CALL A GENERAL WARRANT IS WHAT THE CONSTITUTION PROHIBITS.

YOU CAN'T JUST SAY ANY AND ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I MIGHT FIND SOMETHING THERE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE DISCREET PROBABLE CAUSE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THAT THERE IS ILLEGAL ACTIVITY GOING ON.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE IDEA OF QUASHING ONE OF THESE WARRANTS.

IF A ASSOCIATION MEDIA PLATFORM DOES DECIDE, I WANT TO TRY TO STOP THIS.

I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS.

I SEE A POTENTIAL CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE, WOULD THAT PAUSE THAT 72-HOUR-- >> THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE COURT.

>> OKAY.

DO YOU THINK, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO PAUSE TO AIR OUT THOSE CONCERNS?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE QUESTIONS ARE.

DO YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF DRUG TRAFFICKING?

I THINK IT'S VERY HARD TO ARGUMENT TO MAKE THAT SOMEHOW BECAUSE YOU'RE A SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS INVOLVED IN SOME WAY, PARTICULARLY IF THE POLICE KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT ACCOUNT THE PARTICULAR ACTIVITY IS COMING FROM.

THEY PARTICULARIZE THAT.

I WOULD SAY THAT I WOULD I THINK THAT ANY TYPE OF ACTION BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY TO TRY TO STOP COMPLIANCE WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.

>> AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT YOU BRING UP.

THE PARTICULAR ACCOUNTS.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUDGES GOING TO BE AUTHORIZING WIDE PHISHING EXPEDITIONS.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO SAY THIS USER OR MAYBE THIS LIST OF USERS ARE WHERE WE'RE GOING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING THIS BILL, IT WAS AMENDED AND ULTIMATELY ABANDONED REQUIREMENT THAT COVERED PLATFORMS HAVE A DEAD INDICATED HOTLINE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WAS THAT A POLICY DECISION WHERE YOU SAID ULTIMATELY WE DON'T THINK THIS MAKES SENSE, OR WAS THAT MORE OF A POLITICAL DECISION OF, HEY, IF WE WANT TO MOVE THIS BILL, WE'VE GOT TO STRIKE THIS?

>> SO THE OBJECTION TO THAT PROVISION, WHICH DOES EXIST, I BELIEVE, IN THE COLORADO BILL, WAS RAISED BY ASSEMBLY STAFF ON THE GROUNDS THAT FOR SOME REASON IT WAS UNFAIR TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES.

I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

DEDICATED PHONE LINE DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU HAVE ONE SINGLE PERSON SITTING 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> MARK ZUCKERBERG IS MANNING THAT PHONE.

>> EXACTLY.

IT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE A PHONE THAT WHOEVER IS ON THAT DUTY IT WOULD KICK TO THAT PERSON TO RESPOND.

I THINK IT WAS A VERY REASONABLE REQUIREMENT THAT REQUIRED MINIMAL INVOLVEMENT BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO JUST LET IT GO AND GET THE BILL PASSED THAN TO GET INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT ISSUE, THOUGH, THAT YOU RAISE ABOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVING SOMEONE TO CALL IS A BROADER CONCERN THAT WE SEE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES, LIKE IF SOMEONE'S ACCOUNT IS HACKED, OR IF SOMEONE MAYBE COMMITTED SUICIDE AND THEY WANT TO CLOSE OFF THIS ACCOUNT, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING IN THE FUTURE?

>> I THINK ELIMINATING THAT PART OF THE BILL IS A MISTAKE FOR THE REASONS THAT YOU CITE BECAUSE THEY-- THE POLICE NEED TO HAVE SOME-- SOMEONE TO GO TO NOT TO BE LOST AND BOUNCED AROUND AS THEY ALL CAN BE BY VARIOUS CORPORATE ENTITIES.

I THINK THAT-- WE'LL SEE HOW IT WORK.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL WORK AS IS AND WON'T NEED THAT, BUT I THINK IT WAS A LITTLE SHORT SIGHTED NOT TO INCLUDE THAT.

THE BILL, AGAIN, IT'S A MINIMAL REQUIREMENT.

THESE ARE COMPUTER COMPANIES.

THEY CAN CERTAINLY BOUNCE A PHONE CALL TO ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

SO I DIDN'T SEE IT.

TO THIS DAY, I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY NOT A VERY SENSIBLE PARDON.

>> WELL, I WAS CURIOUS, THOUGH, DO YOU THINK THERE'S A CASE TO BE MADE FOR AN EVEN BROADER SET OF HOTLINES AND HEY, IF YOU'VE HAD YOUR ACCOUNT HACKED OR IF YOU ARE TRYING TO CLOSE IT, HERE'S WHO YOU CALL?

BECAUSE EVEN YOUR OWN ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HAD HIS TWITTER ACCOUNT HACKED AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO RECLAIM IT.

>> THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM.

I HAD THAT WITH FACEBOOK.

THERE WAS A FACEBOOK PROFILE ABOUT ME THAT HAD ALMOST TOTALLY INACCURATE DATA, TRYING TO GET IT CLOSED WAS A STRUGGLE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS CLOSED AT ALL.

I THINK I MAY HAVE GIVEN UP.

I EVEN WROTE A LETTER TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF, YOU KNOW, META.

>> THAT PEEKS TO THE ISSUE.

WHO DO YOU REACH OUT TO?

>> YEAH.

IT'S TERRIBLE.

YOU CAN'T GET PEOPLE ON THE PHONE WITH A LOT OF THESE COMPANIES TO GET ANYTHING DONE, SO I-- THAT'S A WHOLE PROBLEM IN THAT INDUSTRY.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY.

>> WHAT'S BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHETHER IT'S THIS BILL OR SOME OF THE OTHER EFFORTS THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN ALBANY TRYING TO REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, DOES IT SEEM LIKE THERE'S A WILLING MS.

TO POLICE THESE GUYS OR-- >> NO.

I THINK THERE'S A REAL WILLINGNESS.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN STRONG ON PROTECTING CHILDREN PARTICULARLY FROM THE HAZARDS OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> SURE.

>> SO YOU KNOW, I THINK MOST OF WHAT'S BEING DONE IS WITH CHILDREN BECAUSE THE ARGUMENT FOR PROTECTION IS GREATER.

THERE IS A GREATER ABILITY TO REGULATE FIRST AMENDMENT SPEECH WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN THAN THERE IS WITH ADULTS, SO I HAVEN'T-- YOU KNOW, I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING THAT WAS INTRUSIVE WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT IN THIS AREA WITH RESPECT TO TRYING TO PROTECT CHILDREN IS HIGH IN THE MIND OF MANY, MANY PEOPLE.

>> SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, DAVE.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THAT LEGISLATION, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IS TASKED WITH REGULATING UTILITY RATES FOR NEW YORKERS.

THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

THIS YEAR, STATE BUDGET ESTABLISHED NEW REPORTING STANDARDS FOR RATE HIKES, ROLLED OUT UTILITY REBATE CHECKS FOR NEW YORKERS AND EXPANDED THE POWERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

WE SAT DOWN WITH THE CHAIR AND CEO OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, RORY CHRISTIAN, TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE BODY IS NAVIGATING THESE NEW INITIATIVES AND THE WORK AHEAD.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY, CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

NOW THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET HAD A SPECIAL FOCUS ON UTILITY RATES.

SO I WAS HOPING YOU COULD HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW UTILITY COMPANIES WILL NOW HAVE TO REPORT RATE HIKES FOR NEW YORKERS AND THE EXPANDED POWERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AFTER THE STATE BUDGET.

>> WELL, GREAT QUESTION.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSION, ITSELF, IS A SEVEN-MEMBER BODY.

I AM CHAIR AND WE HAVE SIX OTHER COMMISSIONERS, AND WE HAVE ROTATING TERMS.

WE WORK TO ENACT THE REGULATIONS AND LAWS RELATED TO THE UTILITIES.

WE REGULATE ALL THE MAJOR INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES IN NEW YORK STATE.

MANY OF THE WATER UTILITIES, ALL THE CABLE UTILITIES AND BASICALLY ANY KIND OF COMMODITY-BASED UTILITY THAT GOES IN A HOME OR BUSINESS, WE HAVE SOME DEGREE OF OVERSIGHT AND WE DO A LITTLE BIT OF OVERSIGHT OF GENERATION OF POWER PLANTS IN THE STATE.

AND WITH THAT, WE TRY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A GOAL OF PROVIDING SAFE, RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE SERVICE OF JUST AND REASONABLE RATES TO ALL CONSUMER, AND THAT'S OUR MANDATE THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE OUR CREATION 120 YEARS AGO THE NEW POWERS PUT FORWARD BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE RECENT BUDGET HAD BEEN IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS THAT WE'RE SEEING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

EVERYTHING FROM INFLATION, RISING INTEREST RATES, SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS THAT STILL LINGER A LITTLE BIT FROM THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER FACTORS AND NOW GLOBAL WAR AND THE RISK THAT BRINGS.

ALL OF THAT IS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PRICES ARE HIGHER AND GETTING HIGHER FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE USE FROM ENERGY TO THINGS IN THE SUPERMARKET AND BEYOND.

SO GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS MOVING FORWARD WITH EFFORT TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO MANAGE THOSE COSTS, HELPING PEOPLE WITH THE BOTTOM LINE AND THEIR POCKETBOOK, BUT ALSO ENHANCE THE MECHANISMS THAT WE AT THE COMMISSION USE TO SET RATES AND MANAGE THE UTILITIES.

SO ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THINGS THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE, PUT FORWARD A BILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS AN ENERGY REBATE THAT NEW YORKERS WILL BE GETTING BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF YEAR.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A DIRECT HELP TO EVERYONE'S POCKETBOOK RIGHT NOW.

BUT STRUCTURALLY, WE'RE MAKING EVERYTHING EASIER FROM A RATE PERSPECTIVE.

THE RATE TAKE PROCESS THAT THE COMMISSION ENGAGES IN, WE DO THAT WITH ALMOST EVERY UTILITY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IT CAN TAKE 11 MONTHS.

AS OF LATE, WE HAD MANY PEOPLE VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT WE DO AND MORE PARTICIPATION THAN AT ANY POINT IN OUR HISTORY.

AND THAT 11 MONTHS IS KIND OF TIGHT.

SO THE GOVERNOR HAS PROVIDED US MORE TIME.

CHANGED THE RULES ALLOWING US MORE TIME TO WORK ON BEHALF OF NEW YORKERS WITH ALL THE PEOPLE ENGAGING TO ENSURE WE GET THE BEST OUTCOME.

SO JUST PROVIDING US MORE TIME IS GOING TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT FOR NEW YORKERS IN A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'RE ALSO WORKING ON ENHANCING AFFORDABILITY, TYING AFFORDABILITY OF UTILITY RATES TO UTILITY EXECUTIVES' PAY, ENSURING THAT THE TWO ARE ALIGNED.

THERE'S A GROWING CONCERN THAT EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IS GOING UP WHILE RATES ARE GOING UP AND CONSUMERS WANT THOSE RATES TO BE STABLE, AND WE WANT TO TIE THE TWO TOGETHER TO ENSURE WHATEVER UTILITY EXECUTIVES ARE COMPENSATED, IT'S NOT ABOVE AND BEYOND THE RATES.

>> YEAH.

>> AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO CREATE AN AFFORDABILITY MONITOR.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO TRACK RATE AS THEY GO FORWARD, ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ALIGNED WITH INFLATION AND THEY DON'T CREATE ENERGY BURDENS FOR NEW YORKERS ABOVE THE 6% OF THEIR INCOME.

THAT'S A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEVEL WHERE IF YOU PAID MORE THAN 6% OF YOUR INCOME, YOU'RE CONSIDERED ENERGY BURDENED.

WITH THIS AFFORDABILITY MONITOR IN PLACE, WE'LL PUT A LOT MORE SCRUTINY ON RATE CASES WHERE THAT AFFORDABILITY IS THREATENED AND HOPEFULLY, PUT SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO DRIVE RATES DOWN.

>> UH-HUH.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU HAVE AN INCREASE IN YOUR TIMEFRAME IN WHICH YOU'RE ABLE TO DO THIS.

IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING, THOUGH, DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO DO ALL OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT YOU'VE BEEN TASKED WITH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE, IN THE COMMISSION, THE FUNDING WE HAVE TO DO OUR JOB, WE'RE VERY MUCH IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

WE'VE BEEN GROWING THE ORGANIZATION.

WHEN I ARRIVED, I THINK WE HAD 500 PEOPLE.

WE'RE UP TO A LITTLE BIT UP TO 570, CLOSE TO 600, AND WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ROOM TO GROW.

WE'VE GOTTEN MANY NEW RESPONSIBILITIES SINCE THE ORIGINAL PASSAGE OF THE CLCPA, AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE BUDGET HAVE BEEN COMMENSURATE WITH PROVIDING US THE STAFF AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO MEET THOSE RESPONSE INTERS, AND I THINK WE'RE WELL POSITIONED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.

>> YOU KNOW, AT THE TIME THAT WE'RE FILMING THIS, OF COURSE, IT IS SUMMER AND WITH THE WARMER TEMPERATURES, OF COURSE, THAT MEANS HIGHER ELECTRIC BILLS, RIGHT?

SO HOW DOES THE COMMISSION APPROACH ENSURING THAT NEW YORKERS ARE NOT BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THAT ESPECIALLY DURING THE WARMER MONTHS?

>> SO THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND THIS IS ONE OF THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION, AND I WANT TO ADDRESS THIS IN A COUPLE OF WAYS BECAUSE WE DO IT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS AND IT'S HARD TO JUST FOCUS ON ANY ONE.

I HOPE I WILL HIT THE KEY ONES.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE REPRESENT NEW YORKERS SO IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE UTILITY OR ENERGY SERVICE COMPANY OR ANY KIND OF UTILITY, CONSUMERS CAN CALL NEW YORK, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE, AND WE WILL HELP RESOLVE ANY DISPUTES AND ISSUES THAT ARISE.

THAT'S JUST PART OF WHAT WE DO.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, EVERYTHING WE DO IN THE RATE CASE PROCESS IS A RECOGNITION THAT WE NEED TO ENHANCE AFFORDABILITY.

THERE'S THIS COMMON MISCONCEPTION THAT WE SET RATES.

WE DON'T PICK A NUMBER OUT OF A HAT.

WE DON'T THROW DARTS AT A BOARD AND PICK RANDOM NUMBERS THESE ARE BASED ON MONTHS OF DISCUSSION, NEGOTIATION AND ANALYSIS WHERE WE DETERMINE WHAT IS NEEDED KEEP THE SYSTEM WORKING AND WHAT'S THE CHEAPEST WAY TO DO SO, AND THEN WE SET RATES BASED ON THE COST TO DO SO BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVERYTHING COSTS MONEY.

WE HAVE TO INVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND THIS IS PART OF THAT.

SO WE TRY TO MANAGE THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE UTILITY, OF CONSUMERS OF WHAT WE DO WITH RATES TO ENSURE THAT THE RATES THAT WE DO SET ARE NOT SO HIGH SO AS TO MAKE UTILITIES UNUSABLE BY ANYONE, BUT ALSO ENSURE THAT WHAT WE INVEST IN IS ENOUGH TO KEEP THE SYSTEM WORKING.

WE DON'T WANT A SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T WORK.

WE ALSO DON'T WANT A SYSTEM THAT'S TOO EXPENSIVE.

WE NEED TO BE SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN AND THAT'S WHAT WE STRIVE TO ACHIEVE.

>> CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS OF FILING A CLAIM?

SO IF I'M A NEW YORKER AND I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, HOW DO I GO ABOUT REPORTING THIS?

AND WHAT DOES THAT INVESTIGATION AND WHAT IS THAT TIME LINE LOOK LIKE?

>> NO.

GREAT QUESTION.

IT'S A COMMON ONE.

WE HAVE AN 800 NUMBER THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN CALL.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT DPS CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WWW.DPSNY.GOV TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPLAINT PROCESS ONLINE.

GENERALLY, WE WANT EVERYONE TO TRY TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTES AND ISSUES WITH THE UTILITY, BUT IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO YOUR SATISFACTION OR IN A TIMELY MANNER, WE ARE A RESOURCE TO REACH OUT TO AND WE TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION ON OUR NEXT STEPS.

>> AND APART FROM LOOKING AT RATE HIKES, HOW ARE YOU HOPING THAT THE COMMISSION WILL REALLY HONE IN ON REGULATION BEYOND WHAT THE GOVERNOR, HOW SHE EXPANDED YOUR POWERS AND JUST IN THE YEARS AHEAD, DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC GOALS THAT YOU'D LIKE THE COMMISSION TO HIT?

>> WELL, I THINK FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, ENSURING AFFORDABILITY IS THE GOAL RIGHT NOW AND I'M GRATEFUL TO WORK FOR A GOVERNOR WHO IS PRIORITIZING THAT AND PUTTING RESOURCES BEHIND IT.

ONE ADDITIONAL PROGRAM I WANT TO MENTION IS THE ENHANCED ENERGY AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT A MILLION NEW YORKERS RECEIVING $500 MILLION OF BENEFITS THROUGH THAT EFFORT, AND WHAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO IS REACH THE REMAINING 1.5 MILLION THAT WE SEE AS ELIGIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SIMILARLY RECEIVING BENEFITS, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP LOW AND MODERATE INCOME NEW YORKERS BOTTOM LINE HELP LOWER THEIR COSTS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE PROGRAMS WITH UTILITIES, DEFERRED PAYMENT AGREEMENTS.

IF YOUR BILL GETS UP TOO HIGH AND YOU CAN'T PAY THE FULL AMOUNT, WE'LL SPREAD IT OUT OVER TIME AT A LEVEL THAT'S COMFORTABLE SO PEOPLE CAN BETTER MANAGE THAT, AND WE ALSO HAVE BALANCED BILLING PROGRAMS.

IN THE SUMMER, YOUR ELECTRIC BILL MAY BE HIGH.

IN THE WINTER YOUR GAS BILL MAY BE HIGH.

WE SPREAD THIS OUT LIKE PEANUT BUTTER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO KIND OF LEVELIZE IT AND MAKE IT MANAGEABLE TO AVOID UNEXPECTED BILL SURPRISES THAT MAY COME AND BREAK SOMEONE'S BUDGET.

WE PUT THESE PROGRAMS TO EXIST AND WE HELP EVERYONE ENGAGE TO HELP MAKE THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

>> AND YOU KNOW IN RECENT YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT POTENTIALLY MOVING THE STATE FROM RELYING SO HEAVILY ON GAS AND FOSSIL FUELS TO CONVERTING TO, YOU KNOW, ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILES, BUT ALSO HOUSEHOLD DEVICES AND I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO CONSUMERS, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE AFFORDABILITY AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DOING THIS.

SO WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE NEW YORKERS WHO HAVE THOSE FEARS?

>> WELL, THE FEARS ARE ENTIRELY JUSTIFIABLE, FEARING THE UNKNOWN.

YOU HAVEN'T ENGAGED.

YOU'RE NOT A PART OF IT.

IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

WE AS A COMMISSION DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PUT THINGS IN PLACE TO ALLAY THOSE FEARS AND ALLEVIATE THOSE FEARS.

WE CHANGED RATE FORCE INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO ADOPT HEAT PUMPS RATHER THAN BURNING OIL OR NATURAL GAS OR WOOD, THEY USE ELECTRICITY TO HEAT AND COOL THEIR HOMES.

WE HAVE RATES THAT MAKE THAT MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAN THE RATES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T HAVE HEAT PUMPS, AND THAT'S A WAY OF INCENTIVIZING THEIR USE AND PROVIDING THEM WITH SOME BENEFIT.

WE ALSO HAVE OTHER THINGS IN PLACE THROUGH OUR NEW YORK STATE ENERGY AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, INCENTIVES TO HELP LOWER THE COSTS.

IF YOU WANTED TO BUY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR HOME TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT AND ELECTRICITY, WE OFFER REBATE THROUGH NYSERTA TO HELP OFFSET THOSE COSTS, SO WE TRY TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM BOTH THE INITIAL COST OF DOING THE WORK TO MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM AND OPERATING IT THROUGHOUT AND HELP NEW YORKERS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE, AS COST EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE.

>> OF COURSE, YOU'RE A STATE AGENCY, SO, YOU KNOW, YOU DO RELY HEAVILY ON STATE FUNDING, BUT DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF COLLABORATE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT YOUR OFFICE IS FULLY SUPPORTED?

>> WE ABSOLUTELY WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

YOU'RE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT A NUCLEAR BACK BONE WHERE WE, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE, WE'RE WORKING WITH NYPA, NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY.

THEY'RE LOOKING TO DEPLOY ONE GIGAWATT OF NUCLEAR, AND WE'RE WORKING TO HELP WITH THE REMAINING FOUR GIGAWATTS, THAT'S PART OF THE PLAN BUT EVERYTHING IN OUR PLANNING AND THINKING ON THAT INVOLVES A VERY TIGHT AND HIGH LEVEL OF COORDINATION WITH OUR FEDERAL COUNTERPARTS, OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, FERC, ET CETERA, ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY TO MOVE FORWARD IN AN EFFICIENT MAT MANNER AND THERE ARE FEDERAL INCENTIVES THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COME TO NEW YORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF NEW YORKERS AS WELL.

EVERY FEDERAL DOLLAR THAT WE GET IS ANOTHER DOLLAR WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEND.

SO WE'RE ABSOLUTELY WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON THAT AND MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF OUR WORK.

>> AND I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NYPA.

CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND YOUR WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE DEC AND NYSERTA, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> WE'RE ALL SISTER AGENCIES.

WE ALL WORK TOGETHER.

I MEAN, ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE IS YOU'RE SERVING THE PUBLIC.

AND WE CAN'T DO THAT ALONE.

WE NEED NYSERTA TO HELP US IN TERMS OF ROLLING OUT ENERGY PROGRAMS.

WE NEED DEC TO ENSURE THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS PROTECTED.

WE NEED TO WORK WITH NYPA TO ENSURE THAT OUR RESOURCES AND GENERATION ASSETS ARE VIABLE AND CAN SERVE US.

SO WE COORDINATE REGULARLY.

WE TRAY TO MAKE SURE WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING AS MANY NEW YORKERS AS POSSIBLE AND LOWERING COSTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

SO THAT'S BUILT INTO OUR OPERATION.

>> AND LASTLY, HOW DO YOU, AS CHAIR, BALANCE THE BROAD RANGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND INDUSTRIES THAT YOU OVERSEE WITH THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF NEW YORKERS?

HOW DO YOU MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS ON A DAY TO DAY?

>> (SIGHS) THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK WHEN I APPROACHED THE JOB, I ASKED MYSELF, AT THE END OF THIS, WHAT IS THE OUTCOME AND WHO IS IT BENEFITING?

IF I CAN SAY IT'S GOING TO LOWER RATES OR KEEP RATES LOW, IF I CAN SAY IT'S QUESTIONING TO HELP A MOTHER BETTER BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF HER CHILD OR A FAMILY BETTER ABLE TO GET BY, THERE'S NO QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT EFFORT IS GOING TO BE DONE, AND YOU KNOW, I KNOW I CAN SAY THE SAME OF MY OTHER AGENCY HEADS IN THINKING AND FEELING THE SAME WAY.

IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN LEAD AN AGENCY LIKE THIS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

EVERYONE USES ENERGY.

EVERYONE USES ELECTRICITY.

MOST PEOPLE USE NATURAL GAS AND SO THE DECISIONS WE MAKE IMPACT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND SO WE WORK VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS THE ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY, BUT WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING TIME TO CONNECT WITH US.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH RORY CHRISTIAN, CHAIR AND CEO OF THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND UTILITY RATES IN THE STATE, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

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WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>ANNOUNCER: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.