Paul L. Gioia, a former apprentice electrician who oversaw New York State’s utility companies for five years, dealing with concerns over nuclear power plants and consumer complaints about costs, passed away on Feb. 13 at his home in Loudonville, N.Y. He was 81.
The cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia, according to Clarence J. Sundram, a longtime friend and former colleague in state government.
Mr. Gioia, pronounced JOY-ya, was appointed chairman of the Public Service Commission by Gov. Hugh L. Carey in 1981.
“As the P.S.C. chairman, he stood up for the duty of quasi-judicial officers to make independent judgments,” Mr. Sundram said. “He had a strong sense of right and wrong and the courage to act on his convictions even at the risk of losing his job.”
Mr. Gioia’s independence clashed with Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, who removed him from the commission in 1986.
During his tenure, the commission faced challenges regarding utility-consumer balance and cost overruns.
Safety concerns were heightened by incidents like the Three Mile Island accident and the Chernobyl meltdown.
Paul Leonard Gioia was born on July 26, 1942, in Brooklyn. He had a background in law and served in various roles before joining an international law firm after his time at the Public Service Commission.
His wife, Patricia, passed away in 2016. He is survived by his brother, Salvatore Gioia Sr.
