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For Immediate Release: 09/09/21 John B. Howard, Chief Executive Officer Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
21093 September 09, 2021
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DPS Names New Director to Expanding Long Island Office |
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Carrie Meek Gallagher Brings Regulatory and Management Expertise and Deep Long Island Roots to Key Post Additional Staff Will Provide Increased Oversight of PSEG Long Island
ALBANY — New York State Department of Public Service CEO John B. Howard, announced today that Carrie Meek Gallagher has been named Director of the Department’s office on Long Island, an office which provides regulatory oversight and review of electric service operation and customer service practices on Long Island under the Long Island Power Authority Reform Act.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Carrie Gallagher to the agency,” said Department CEO Howard. “She has demonstrated success in creating and executing strategies and initiatives, and she is a proven manager who moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation and results. I would also like to thank retired Director Guy Mazza for his steadfast work over the past four years; his efforts contributed to this high-profile office’s many outstanding successes.”
Ms. Gallagher had been the acting Deputy Secretary for Energy & Environment prior to her DPS appointment. In that position, Ms. Gallagher oversaw all aspects of government operations and policy management within the 12 agency, 5,000 employee, and $2 billion budget energy and environment portfolio. Previously, she was Long Island Regional Director for the State Department of Environmental Conservation. In that capacity, she directed all operations, programs, and policies for the nearly 200-person regional office tasked with regulatory oversight and implementation of all state environmental conservation laws. She is the past Chair of the Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission. Carrie Gallagher, DPS Long Island Director, said, “It is with great pleasure that I join the outstanding team at the Department of Public Service. I look forward to helping ensure fair and reasonable electric rates for Long Islanders while at the same time facilitating development of the clean energy infrastructure on Long Island that’s needed to support the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). It is imperative for both our environment and our economy that the region achieves a clean, green, sustainable and reliable energy future.”
CEO Howard noted that the Department has delivered tangible wins for Long Islanders including helping to keep rate increases nearly flat for the past several years, increasing the use of renewable energy, and improving efficiency. Among the many successes of the Long Island office:
In addition, a diverse team of engineers, customer service/outreach, and legal staff from the Office leads oversight of transmission siting on Long Island, including transmission-siting cases concerning off-shore wind development on Long Island, such as the first offshore wind project on Long Island – South Fork Wind. It is currently involved in the Sunrise Wind project.
Given the added responsibilities expected due to its increased oversight of PSEG Long Island as a result of an enhanced service agreement between LIPA and PSEG Long Island, DPS is looking to add staff members to the current roster of 22 at its Long Island Office. Ms. Gallagher will be overseeing the expanded DPS role on Long Island. |
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