New York State Public Service Commission Subject, Correspondence, and Utility Files 19738

New York State Public Service Commission Subject, Correspondence, and Utility Files

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

These records document Harold A. Jerry's service as a member and later chairman of the Public Service Commission. The files consist of three record types: subject files, correspondence files, and utility files.

Creator:

New York (State). Public Service Commission

Title:

Public Service Commission subject, correspondence, and utility files

Quantity:

21 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1981-1995

Series Number:

19738

Arrangement

Arranged by type of record. Subject and utility files are arranged alphabetically. Correspondence files with replies are alphabetical; those consisting of duplicate replies are in reverse chronological order.

Administrative History

Harold A. Jerry was appointed to the Public Service Commission in 1973. In 1994, he was appointed Commission Chair and served in that capacity until his retirement in the same year.

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.