New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Public Service Commission

Administration of the System Benefits Charge

In 1998, the Public Service Commission authorized the System Benefits Charge, which is a surcharge that is added to customers’ electricity bills. The revenue raised by the surcharge is to be used to fund programs for energy efficiency, low-income assistance, and research and development. Most of the programs are administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (ERDA), which receives surcharge revenue quarterly from the State’s utilities. We examined the calculation, collection, use and oversight of the surcharge revenue. We found that the surcharge was accurately calculated by the utilities, surcharge revenue was properly distributed to ERDA and used for authorized program purposes by ERDA, and the programs were adequately monitored by the Public Service Commission.

For a complete copy of Report 2005-S-16 click here.
For a copy of the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority 90-day response click here.
For a copy of the NYS Department of Public Service 90-day response click here.