Advocates press PSC, lawmakers for rate‑case transparency, intervener funding and quantifiable CLCPA tests

A coalition of consumer and environmental advocates urged the Legislature and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reform the state’s rate‑case process, saying confidential settlement negotiations and short staffs limit public scrutiny of projects and inflate bills.

Lori Wheelock, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project (PULP), told senators the state’s turn toward negotiated joint proposals has widened resource gaps between utilities and community interveners. She recommended an independent office of public participation or a separate utility consumer advocate, restored and dedicated funding for intervenors, and procedural changes to allow litigated proceedings to run multiyear if parties choose.

Irene Weiser of Fossil Free Tompkins described confidential settlement talks as making proposed deals “invisible” to the public and called for mandatory reforms: independent mediators for settlement talks, a requirement that return‑on‑equity be fixed…