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For Immediate Release: 09/13/2022 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
22082 / 19-G-0309; 19-G-0310
September 13, 2022
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Virtual and In-Person Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding the Greenpoint Liquified Natural Gas Facility |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold virtual public statement hearings on Tuesday, September 20, and in-person hearings on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, to receive public comments concerning the proposal by The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY (KEDNY or the company) to install two additional vaporizers at the Greenpoint Liquified Natural Gas facility (Greenpoint LNG vaporizer project) as a long-term capital project subject to a surcharge imposed on customers in the KEDNY service territory.
On August 12, 2021, the Commission issued an order adopting a joint proposal that approved increases to KEDNY’s electric and gas rates and revenues over a three-year term beginning on April 1, 2020 and ending on March 1, 2023. The Commission’s order sets forth a process for KEDNY to propose the Greenpoint LNG vaporizer project as a long-term capital capacity project to address future reliability and capacity needs to meet peak demand in its natural gas system, and to impose an associated customer surcharge for the cost of the proposal. The Commission’s order provided that the Greenpoint LNG vaporizer project would be reviewed by an independent consultant applying specified criteria including, but not limited to, public input, project cost, reasonable peak demand forecast, and alternatives to the project that could meet, reduce, or eliminate demand. Pursuant to the terms of the August 12, 2021 order and New York State Law, the Commission may adopt, reject, in whole or in part, or modify, the independent consultant’s recommendation regarding the Greenpoint LNG vaporizer project.
An administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will preside over the public statement hearings and the gathering of public comments relating to the Greenpoint LNG vaporizer project and the independent consultant’s review and recommendation for the Commission’s consideration.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that two virtual public statement hearings will be held as follows:
Any person wishing to provide a public statement at the virtual public statement hearings must pre-register electronically or by telephone by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 19, 2022.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that two additional public statement hearings will be held in person as follows:
The locations above request that the public follow the guidelines provided by the New York City Department of Health (NYC DOH) at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page. The relevant NYC DOH guidelines include wearing a high-quality mask in all indoor public settings; staying up-to-date on vaccinations; and testing before and after travel or gatherings, or if you were recently exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
Those wishing to comment on the company’s proposal regarding the Greenpoint LNG vaporizer project will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the live and virtual public statement hearings.
To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to the virtual hearing electronically may register to do so by visiting www.webex.com by the date and time indicated above, where they should click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the appropriate event number listed above, and provide all requested information.
When logging in to participate in a virtual hearing at the appropriate date and time, participants should visit www.webex.com, click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and input the appropriate event number listed above. Participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers.
To register by phone: Any participant who is not able to log in to the virtual hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at a hearing must register to do so by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, following the prompts to the appropriate hearing, and then providing the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number.
On the appropriate day and time of the hearing, dial (518) 549-0500 and enter the relevant access code, listed above, to join the hearing.
All participants will be muted upon entry into the virtual hearing. The ALJ will continue the hearing until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record. Time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all attendees an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.
To listen to the hearings: Any person who would like to listen to the hearings but would not like to make a statement may attend the in-person and/or virtual hearings without registering. The virtual hearings will be livestreamed on the internet and available for viewing on the Department of Public Service’s YouTube channel on the date and times listed above. To access the YouTube channel, visit the Department’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, and click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of the homepage. In addition, any person without internet access may listen to the virtual hearings by phone by calling (518) 549-0500 and entering the applicable access code.
Persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations should contact the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. Users of Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading the English language are encouraged to call the Commission at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.
Other Ways to Comment:
For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing, there are several other ways to provide your comments to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 19-G-0309 - The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid” or “Case 19-G-0310 - KeySpan Gas East Corp. d/b/a National Grid.” Although comments will continue to be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by November 14, 2022.
Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” search using case number “19-G-0309” or “19-G-0310” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” located at the top of the page.
Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Honorable Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223?1350. All written comments will become part of the record and considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case number, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.
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