Month: December 2008
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PSC Touts "Arrearage Reduction" Proposals Favoring Utilities, Nothing New for Customers
Perhaps in an effort to face reality, the New York State Public Service Commission (“Commission”) launched a new proceeding on December 16th to examine the growing difficulty of electric and […] -
Governor Paterson’s Financial Request to Obama Administration Weak and Vague on Low Income, Energy and Telecom Proposals
In a December 29 Press Release, Governor Paterson announced he had sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama asking for federal funding of a wide range of state programs and […] -
Governor Paterson’s 2009 Message to New York’s Poorest: Let them Eat Pheasant
When we first saw the Governor’s press release headline proclaiming “GOVERNOR PATERSON PROPOSES FIRST INCREASE TO WELFARE GRANT IN 18 YEARS – Children Represent Largest Portion of Recipients,” our reaction […] -
300,000 Homes Without Power – Was Inadequate Tree Trimming a Factor?
An inch of ice is dangerous at any time, but when that much ice accumulates on power lines and tree branches near the power lines, devastation can occur. This is […] -
Pennsylvania Orders Verizon to Offer Discounted Bundles to Lifeline Customers; Where Is New York?
In a decision released on December 18th, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PA PUC”) issued an Order requiring Verizon to offer discounted bundles to its Lifeline customers. Until now, Verizon’s […] -
PSC Lets Another One Slip By: Long Distance Provider Changes Hands Without Notifying Commission
According to the Syracuse Post-Standard, Yak America purchased the long distance customers of now-bankrupt USA Datanet without ever seeking approval from (or even notifying) the New York State Public Service […] -
Broadband Lifeline for Low Income Households: Why Is the New York PSC Silent?
There is an on-going proceeding at the FCC regarding the future of the federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”) and intercarrier compensation for connecting calls from other companies , two concepts […] -
Governor’s Budget Raises Utility "Assessments," Hurting Low Income Customers, but Gives Break to Cable Telephone Service Providers
Governor Paterson’s proposed budget, released a month early on December 16th, attempts to balance a projected state budget deficit in the state fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009 through a […] -
In a New York Minute, Governor Paterson Appoints and Senate Confirms James Larocca as New PSC Commissioner
In his last year of office, former Governor Pataki picked three new members of the five member New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for six year terms, seemingly making […]