FAQ

FAQ - Multiple Intervenors

• Why should my company or institution join Multiple Intervenors?

  First and foremost, membership promotes reductions in large consumers’ energy bills that result in quantifiable benefits to members.  In addition, members are provided with the most important, current information to make energy planning decisions.  Membership in Multiple Intervenors also means that your company will have a cost-effective means to impact energy policies and rates in New York State.  Moreover, membership in Multiple Intervenors will inform you of options (such as the recent ability to switch benefits under the Power for Jobs Program) and provide you with information critical to making the best energy procurement decisions.  Multiple Intervenors is the only organization that exclusively represents the interests of large energy consumers in New York State.

• What are the quantifiable benefits of membership?

  The quantifiable benefits that your Company may expect from membership include lower energy prices and more energy savings opportunities because of the positions that Multiple Intervenors advances at the New York State Public Service Commission, the New York Independent System Operator and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  For example, in recent rate cases, Multiple Intervenors was instrumental in limiting rate increases to large non-residential customers and getting several utilities to issue millions of dollars of refunds to its members, as well as designing electricity and natural gas rates in a manner most beneficial to our members.  Multiple Intervenors also helped to create and design the programs that pay New York consumers for reducing, and even for being available to reduce, usage during peak periods or system emergencies.  Multiple Intervenors also works closely with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to promote on-site generation and energy efficiency programs that benefit its members.

  Regarding Power for Jobs, Multiple Intervenors instituted the legal challenge that prompted the New York Power Authority in 2008 to allow customers to switch benefit programs.  Multiple Intervenors then advised its members on how to make the switch, which produced hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings for members. Without Multiple Intervenors, the option would not have been available at all, or could have been missed by the customers.

• Are there other benefits of membership?

  Yes.  Membership provides you with the opportunity to be heard on important energy issues affecting your facilities through a collective, powerful and respected voice.  It is important to understand that there are no other parties effectively representing the interests of large energy consumers in New York State.  Multiple Intervenors is the only representative of large energy consumers in New York State energy proceedings.  Members also benefit from the up-to-date information on energy-related issues that counsel provides consistently throughout the year.  Finally, members benefit greatly from having the ability to discuss general or specific energy-related questions with counsel or other members at Board of Directors and general membership meetings, or by phone or e-mail.

• Is there a usage threshold to qualify for membership?

  Multiple Intervenors does not have a minimum usage threshold to qualify for membership.  Traditionally, most members of Multiple Intervenors have an on-peak electric loads of 1 MW or more (some have less).  Additionally, for most Multiple Intervenors members, energy costs comprise a significant portion of their organization’s product cost and/or operating cost.  

• Are there other criteria for membership?

  Membership is open to any industrial, commercial or institutional energy consumer that is (i) located in New York, (ii) seeking to expand its existing operations in the State, or (iii) planning on locating a new facility in New York.  Membership is limited, however, to industrial, commercial and institutional energy consumers – utilities, marketers and suppliers are not eligible to join.  This requirement allows Multiple Intervenors to take clear, uncompromised positions on behalf of its members.

• How can I become a member of Multiple Intervenors?

  To become a member of Multiple Intervenors, applicants must complete and submit a simple application form.  A copy of the application form can be found on this website under “Join Multiple Intervenors.”  Upon the application being submitted, it then is reviewed by the Board of Directors, which votes promptly on all new applicants.

• What are the dues to be a member of Multiple Intervenors?

  There are annual dues that all members of Multiple Intervenors pay.  These dues start at $1,800 per year for our smallest members.  The dues pay for administration of the organization and fund representation for generic proceedings that have a Statewide impact and affect all Multiple Intervenors members.  After annual dues are paid, members can choose whether to support utility-specific and/or generic, policy interventions, which are budgeted separately. 

• Where can I get additional information?

  
  Multiple Intervenors
  P.O. Box 22222
  Albany, New York 12201-2222
  Phone: 518-426-4600
  Fax: 518-426-0376
  E-Mail: mi@multipleintervenors.com
  
  Bob Loughney,
  Couch White, LLP
  Phone: (518) 320-3404
  E-Mail: rloughney@couchwhite.com