Funke Secures Public Service Commission Hearing for the Rochester Area

Senator led local Senate Delegation in calling on the NYPSC to correct an oversight omitting Rochester in its public hearing schedule; Local hearing to be held February 11

Senator Rich Funke today announced the Rochester area will host a New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) public hearing as the result of a joint effort advanced by Monroe County’s Senate Delegation. The hearing, part of the NYPSC’s “Reforming the Energy Vision” (REV) initiative, will allow residents to make their voices heard on important changes to New York’s energy regulations that will impact local ratepayers, taxpayers, and jobs.

“I took this job to make Albany work better for our area and that means, at the very bare minimum, ensuring local residents can have their voices heard on issues that will impact their families,” said Funke. “The Commission’s proposed changes to our energy system could seriously impact local ratepayers, taxpayers, and jobs in the energy sector. I thank Senators Gallivan, Nozzolio, Ortt, Ranzenhofer, and Robach for joining me in a joint effort to secure a public hearing here, so the residents of our Districts can learn more and ultimately have their say.”

The NYPSC is in the process of holding hearings on REV initiative proposals in communities across the State, where public feedback will be gathered regarding changes to New York’s energy delivery and infrastructure systems. However, the Commission’s initial public hearing schedule omitted Rochester as a host site, despite Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and New York City having been awarded local hearings. To address this oversight, Funke led a coalition of local Senators – including Senator Patrick Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma); Senator Michael Nozzolio (R-C-I, Fayette); Senator Robert Ortt (R-C-I, North Tonawanda); Senator Michael Ranzenhofer (R-C-I, Amherst); and Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I, Rochester) - in drafting a letter to the NYPSC urging its reconsideration of the public hearing schedule. The NYPSC subsequently added a public hearing in the Rochester area, which will be held:

Wednesday February 11, 2015

Rochester City Hall

City Council Chambers -- Room 302A

30 Church Street Rochester New York 14614

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Information Session

7:00 PM Public Statement Hearing

A copy of the joint Senate Delegation letter to the NYPSC and a copy of the NYPSC’s updated public hearing notice are attached.