New York Rolls Out Pole-Attachment Complaint Portal
The new online form allows submitters to report violations related to utility pole attachments.
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2026 – New York state is trying crowdsourcing to keep watch on utility poles within its borders.
The New York State Department of Public Service posted on June 4 an online form that allows interested persons to report pole-attachment violations. It was created under Public Service Law § 119‑e to aid investigators in enforcing attachment standards across the state. “It went live yesterday,” NYPSC spokesperson Kim Mashke said June 5.
The form allows parties to identify hazardous attachments, equipment that was moved in violation of applicable laws and regulations, issues concerning the safety of workers or the general public, and any attachments that do not meet industry standards.
The portal follows a broader New York effort to increase oversight of pole attachments amid ongoing disputes between utilities and communications providers over pole access, construction timelines, and safety requirements.
DPS said staff will review submitted reports and may conduct a desk audit or field inspection. If staff identify potential violations or safety hazards, the department said it will notify the relevant pole owners or attaching entities for further evaluation and remediation where necessary.
The form is not intended for emergencies, non-hazardous double-pole complaints, or consumer complaints about utility bills, rates, or service issues.
