Con Edison Faces Pressure to Respond to Discovery Requests

PULP, a non-profit organization representing low- and fixed-income utility customers, has joined forces with environmental groups WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Alliance for a Green Economy, and Sane Energy Project to urge the New York State Department of Public Service to compel Con Edison to respond to discovery requests in a timely manner. The groups argue that Con Edison's slow response times have caused significant delays, with some requests taking up to nine days to respond. This has resulted in a cumulative delay of approximately three weeks, potentially prejudicing the rate case process.

Key Takeaways:

• PULP and environmental groups have submitted motions to compel Con Edison to respond to discovery requests, citing slow response times and potential prejudice to the rate case process.
• Con Edison has delayed responses to PULP's Interrogatory requests, with some taking up to nine days to respond, resulting in a cumulative delay of approximately three weeks.
• The groups are seeking to modify the procedural schedule to allow for additional time for discovery responses, and to grant oral argument on the motions.
• PULP supports the environmental groups' motions and joins them in advocating for timely and accurate discovery responses in rate case proceedings.
• The New York State Department of Public Service is urging Con Edison to respond to discovery requests in a timely manner, consistent with Commission practice and DPS regulations.

Statistics:

• 9 days: The maximum delay in response to PULP's Interrogatory requests.
• 3 weeks: The cumulative delay in discovery responses, resulting from Con Edison's slow response times.
• 2 motions: Filed by PULP and environmental groups to compel Con Edison to respond to discovery requests.
• 1 day: The minimum delay in response to PULP's Interrogatory requests, with some requests taking longer to respond.

Sources:

• Albany: New York State Department of Public Service (no date)
• PULP (Utilities Project) (email, May 2, 2022)
• Case 22-E-0064 (no date)