Research

Scope and Content Note

These records document the work of Commissioner Harold Jerry of the Public Service Commission. The files consist of three record types: subject files, correspondence files, and utility files.

Subject files (1982-1995) include a wide variety of topics related to utility and telecommunication production and regulation. The files vary in content and include such material as press releases; testimony; policy statements; government regulations; organizational information; briefing information; litigation files; and news clippings.

A distinct subset of the subject files deal exclusively with the Adirondack Park Agency. Commissioner Jerry had a particular interest in the APA, having served as Executive Director of the Temporary Study Commission on the Future of the Adirondacks (which lead to the creation of the Adirondack Park Agency) and later on the Commission on the Adirondacks in the Twenty-First Century. These files include documentation of legal proceedings; correspondence with agency officials and others; speeches; APA reports; and conference reports. Some records concern utility-related (i.e., PSC-related) issues affecting the park. Other records reflect Jerry's continuing involvement from the 1970s with various high level APA officials on major issues.

Correspondence files (1981-1995) consist of two distinct groups: correspondence files that include incoming correspondence and copies of replies; and chronological files that consist of duplicate copies of replies only. Topics include all aspects of utility regulation and environmental issues, routine thank-you letters, and requests for information. Correspondents include advocates for industrial firms, members of the state legislature, other state and local officials, private citizens, and nonprofit organizations.

Utility files consist of subject files specific to utility companies, telecommunications companies, and other entities regulated or affected by the Public Service Commission. These files include a variety of record types such as credit rating information; statistical analyses; reports of legal proceedings; hearing transcripts; newspaper clippings; technical and economic reports; and descriptions of utility operations.