Rick Moriarty is reporting for Central NY News the New York Public Service Commission is not equipped to properly monitor Spectrum and other utilities statewide, according to an audit released March 3 by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Auditors found regulators do not have the needed equipment to measure internet speeds, used inaccurate data to track service reliability and imposed only four penalties in four years. “When New Yorkers flip on the lights, log in or make a call, they should be confident that someone is making sure these service providers are living up to their promises,” DiNapoli said. “My auditors found the state Public Service Commission was not doing enough to make sure utilities are holding up their end of the deal. PSC lacked critical equipment to do its job and rarely inflicted financial consequences when companies did not deliver. This has to change.” The commission issued a statement, strongly disputing the findings. “The Department of Public Service uses all enforcement tools at its disposal to hold utilities accountable and major enforcement actions have resulted in more than $675 million in benefits for New York consumers in just the last two years,” it said. DiNapoli said his office initiated the audit after Hudson Valley lawmakers raised concerns about poor internet service and advised him to look at Charter Communications, Spectrum’s parent. DiNapoli recommended that the Public Service Commission: actively monitor all conditions listed in orders to ensure all utilities are complying; develop and issue orders that include well-defined, measurable and enforceable conditions; and, verify the accuracy of utility company data used by the commission or department to evaluate or make decisions concerning the utilities. Read the full story at Syracuse [dot] com.