Public Utility Law Project tells Energy and Telecommunications Committee affordability, shutoff protections and small water authorities need state attention

Laura Wheelock, executive director and general counsel of the Public Utility Law Project, told the Energy And Telecommunications Committee that her organization’s work centers on direct legal help, regulatory advocacy before the Department of Public Service and Public Service Commission, and participation in policy proceedings to protect low-income utility customers.

“We go across the state, we cover the entire state with a small but mighty team of 11, and we actually can assist people when they call our helpline or they email us,” Wheelock said. She described three spheres of PULP’s work: individual consumer assistance, participation in utility cases to reduce costs and increase protections, and broader policy engagement on proceedings at the Commission.

Wheelock gave examples of client work: helping a Huntington Station resident with a PSE&G account, assisting tenants in a 270‑unit development in Elmira after service termination tied to an owner’s unpaid utility bills, and giving outreach and payment-location information to older adults in St. Lawrence County. She emphasized recurring issues since the pandemic, including complex account transfers when an account holder has died.

On protections from shutoffs during extreme weather, Wheelock noted baseline state rules that delay termination and added protections for medical hardship but said real-life cases can be messy. “There’s a 35 day rule where the utility can't even proceed with the termination until they give you specific notice. And then the cold weather period, it is 72 hours,” she said, describing how PULP intervenes with utilities and the Department of Public Service on behalf of consumers.

Wheelock highlighted oversight challenges at small water companies. “In New York state, we have over 230 small utility companies, a lot in upstate New York. Their infrastructure is struggling. Some of the rate bases are 25 people or up to 400,” she said, urging legislative attention and stronger reporting or audit requirements to protect customers.

Committee members asked about trends and policy priorities. Senator Gonzales pointed to a bill passed earlier in the meeting that protects customers from late fees or shutoff while a utility is under agency investigation; Wheelock said such protections “provide that extra level of protection” and help stabilize consumers while agencies investigate widespread billing problems.

Members also raised questions about data centers and the electric load from artificial-intelligence-related facilities; Wheelock said PULP is prepared to engage on those topics and on rate-design questions that affect affordability. When asked about recent proposed rule changes by the New York Power Authority, Wheelock said she keeps PULP’s advocacy separate from her NYPA board work and offered NYPA’s representative, Ian Donaldson, as the appropriate source for those questions.

Ending

Wheelock encouraged members to use PULP as a constituent resource and suggested the nonprofit can provide district-level outreach and educational materials to help residents understand bills, payment options and protections.