{"id":1850,"date":"2012-12-13T09:59:47","date_gmt":"2012-12-13T14:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.law.columbia.edu\/climatechange\/?p=1850"},"modified":"2013-07-19T11:49:49","modified_gmt":"2013-07-19T16:49:49","slug":"in-sandys-wake-cccl-and-supporters-petition-new-york-psc-to-require-utility-hazard-mitigation-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.law.columbia.edu\/climatechange\/2012\/12\/13\/in-sandys-wake-cccl-and-supporters-petition-new-york-psc-to-require-utility-hazard-mitigation-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"In Sandy’s Wake, CCCL and Supporters Petition New York PSC to Require Utility Hazard Mitigation Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

A coalition of energy, environmental and community interest organizations, led by Center for Climate Change Law, filed a formal petition with the New York Public Service Commission<\/a> (PSC) requesting that the commission use its regulatory authority to require all utility companies within its jurisdiction to prepare and implement comprehensive natural hazard mitigation plans to address the anticipated effects of climate change.<\/p>\n

The required plans should define how best to mitigate risks to the reliable delivery of services that are critical to people in the hours and days following a storm, and identify infrastructure investments that can be made now that will avoid the need for costly repairs and rebuilding later.<\/p>\n

Anne Siders, Associate Director and Fellow at the Center for Climate Change Law, noted, \u201cPublic utility companies are accustomed to accounting for what went wrong and understanding where they can improve, but creating a long-term plan from that analysis rarely occurs. Long-term plans to address infrastructure vulnerability need to incorporate new scientific information, updated predictions and a periodic review of their success.\u201d<\/p>\n

The coalition also includes Earthjustice, Environmental Advocates of New York, Municipal Art Society of New York<\/a>, Natural Resources Defense Council<\/a>, New York League of Conservation Voters, Pace Energy and Climate Law Center of Pace Law School<\/a> and Riverkeeper.<\/p>\n

Deborah Goldberg, Managing Attorney of Earthjustice<\/a>, said, \u201cWe all know that Sandy will not be an isolated event, and it is incumbent upon the public utilities in this state to prepare for the escalating impacts of climate change.\u00a0Business as usual, with frantic response to crises instead of thoughtful planning to ensure the reliability of utility infrastructure, is no longer an option.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rob Moore, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York<\/a>, said, \u201cUtilities should identify how to improve the resilience and long-term reliability of their systems \u2013 which would include maximizing energy efficiency in areas being rebuilt and integrating solar, wind and other forms of clean energy generation close to where power is used. These kinds of common sense improvements would minimize disruptions from weather-related events and make these services more robust year-round.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marcia Bystryn, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters<\/a>, said, \u201cThe most important lesson New York can learn from Superstorm Sandy is that we must do a better job planning for a changing climate and extreme weather events. A long-term strategy to ensure the reliability of our electricity, gas, steam, water and telecommunications infrastructure is absolutely critical to protecting New Yorkers and our state\u2019s economic future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Gallay, President and Hudson Riverkeeper<\/a>, said, \u201cRiverkeeper is happy to join with our fellow signatories on today\u2019s letter in calling for infrastructure improvements that make our region more resilient and environmentally sound, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Extreme weather due to climate change is a reality, and we must do all we can to develop green, cost-effective approaches that both mitigate and help adapt to the climate-related challenges New York faces.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Authority to Act<\/strong><\/p>\n

Requiring utilities to conduct adequate hazard mitigation and response planning falls in line with the mission of the PSC \u2013 and the Commission has the explicit legal authority to mandate such actions. As the primary regulator of the state\u2019s electric, gas, steam, telecommunications and water utilities, the PSC is charged with ensuring that safe and reliable service is provided by New York\u2019s utilities.<\/p>\n

Section 5[2] of the N.Y. Public Service Law states that the PSC \u201cshall encourage all persons and corporations subject to its jurisdiction to formulate and carry out long-range programs, individually or cooperatively, for the performance of their public service responsibilities \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Coalition Recommendations <\/strong><\/p>\n

As the state begins to rebuild and upgrade its infrastructure, plans that incorporate future natural hazards will inform development, operation and maintenance decisions and ensure future reliability to the fullest extent possible.<\/p>\n

Utility hazard mitigation plans should incorporate four main elements. They should:<\/p>\n