New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. today announced that the New York State Assembly has given final passage to State legislation (A.6534), which he authored, that would amend the LIPA Reform Act by requiring PSEG-LI to make public all information regarding compensation, including executive pay and all fees paid to consultants and contractors during any pending rate proceeding. The State Department of Public Service-Long Island (DPS-LI) would be required to consider such information when making recommendations to LIPA on any rate request. Thiele was joined on a bi-partisan coalition of 13 Long Island members of the State Assembly in sponsoring the legislation. The legislation was approved unanimously.

PSEG-LI resisted providing such information during its most recent rate proceeding. In March of 2015, the PSEG-LI refused to make public the executive compensation for its 18 top officials, claiming that such information is exempt from State scrutiny or public disclosure under the LIPA Reform Act. The management contract between LIPA and PSEG-LI is for a term of 12 years. The fee to PSEG-LI will increase this year from $45 million to $73 million.

Thiele stated, “Because the PSEG-LI is a contractor for a public authority (LIPA), it has as its mission the supplying of a most basic societal need: electricity. Its revenue is generated by the payment of the monthly electric bill of every Long Island resident and business. The people's right to review the documents and information related to the operation of its utility company should be obvious in a democratic society. Access to such information should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality.”

He added, “This legislation would amend the LIPA Reform Act to ensure that such information is available for public scrutiny. It would also give DPS-LI the right to review such information and make recommendations to LIPA about such matters.”

The legislation must still be approved by the State Senate.