John Howard talks serving on the NY Public Service Commission and what’s next

By Marie J. French | 05/03/2024 06:52 AM EDT

Howard has been a pragmatic and moderate voice on the commission after being a top aide to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

John Howard (left) puts his arm around another man.

John Howard (left) served in the administration of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and as a member of the New York Public Service Commission since 2019 until his term expired this year. Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

ALBANY, New York — John Howard is no longer on the state Public Service Commission. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop talking about the state’s rocky road toward meeting its climate goals.

Howard, whose term expired in February, has been an outspoken member of the powerful, seven-member board since being appointed in July 2019.

He left the commission in April after his seat was filled by one of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s first nominees to the influential utility regulator.

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He leaves feeling that the work is unfinished, in large part because of the challenges facing New York’s efforts to move to 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and its other climate goals.

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