In theory, the process that determines your energy bills plays out in public, through innumerable documents and comments posted online and hearings that are open to all.

In practice, watchdogs say, the key decisions are made behind closed doors, in confidential settlement proceedings where utilities set the agenda and bring legal firepower that is impossible for most other participants to match.

On Tuesday, the New York City Council held an emergency oversight hearing in response to New York Focus reporting that the police department had covertly used a free internet program to gain real-time access to video cameras at New York City Housing Authority developments.

Lawmakers on the technology, public safety, public housing, and oversight and investigations committees grilled officials from the Office of Technology and Innovation, the New York City Police Department, and NYCHA.

Here’s what we learned.