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Assembly creates Office of Utility Consumer Advocate after floor debate
Summary
The Assembly passed A.2468 to establish a state Office of Utility Consumer Advocate to represent residential utility customers; supporters said it would save ratepayers money, while opponents called it duplicative and tied rising bills to recent climate policy.
The Assembly passed legislation to create a state Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (A.2468) after an extended floor debate, voting 104–39 to approve the bill.
The bill, explained by Assemblymember Dinowitz, would establish the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate within the Department of Public Service to represent residential utility consumers. “This bill… establishes the state office of the utility consumer advocate, that’s the UCA, within the department of public service to represent the interests of residential utility consumers,” Dinowitz said on the floor.
Supporters argued the office would provide a dedicated, independent advocate in utility proceedings. Dinowitz and other supporters cited experience in more than 40 other states and said similar offices have produced savings for ratepayers. Opponents said existing state entities already represent consumers and that the new office would duplicate effort and could increase costs.
Assemblymember Paul Messano questioned funding and oversight, asking whether the office would be paid by state tax dollars or by ratepayers; Dinowitz replied it would be funded through state tax dollars. Messano and other critics cited the Department of Public Service’s Office of Consumer Services, the statewide special counsel on ratepayer protection created in 2020, the utility intervention unit at the Department of State, the Public Utility Law Project, and the attorney general as existing consumer advocates.
Opponents also tied utility rate increases to policies adopted by the Legislature, notably the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and said a new advocate would not address what they described as the underlying policy drivers of higher bills. One Assemblymember said, “these high rates are being caused by policies that are being implemented by this house,” and urged a focus on evaluating those laws rather than creating a new office.
Proponents countered that the new office would be independent—appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate for a six‑year term—and would intervene in hearings, court cases and settlements on behalf of residential consumers. The sponsor said the office’s independence would allow it to “fight for all of our constituents who are utility consumers.”
The Assembly recorded the final vote 104 in favor and 39 opposed. The bill as passed will now await the remaining steps required for enactment.
