ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold in-person public statement hearings on Tuesday, November 14, and Wednesday, November 15, 2023, on proposed increases and other changes in the gas delivery rates and practices of The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY (KEDNY) and KeySpan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid (KEDLI).

On April 28, 2023, the companies filed amendments to their gas tariff schedules, proposing to increase their annual gas delivery revenues effective March 31, 2024. KEDNY proposes to increase its revenues by $414 million (a 28 percent increase in base delivery revenues or a 17 percent increase in total revenues). KEDLI proposes to increase its revenues by $228 million (a 24 percent increase in base delivery revenues or a 14 percent increase in total revenues). Although the actual bill impacts of these proposed changes on any particular customer class will vary based upon revenue allocation and rate design, the companies state that a typical KEDNY residential heating customer (that is, one using 99-102 therms of natural gas) will have a $30.95 average monthly bill increase and a typical KEDLI residential heating customer will have a $28.52 average monthly bill increase.

The companies state that the rate increases are largely due to the need to invest in critical infrastructure to comply with Federal and State pipeline safety mandates, increased costs to deliver expanded energy efficiency and other demand-reduction offerings, and economic factors such as the rising cost of material due to inflation, increased contractor costs, and increased local property taxes. The companies further state that their rate filings are focused on delivering safe and reliable service, meeting the needs of customers, and advancing the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).  The companies propose to effectively maintain the current pace of leak prone pipe replacements through a more targeted replacement strategy; aggressively repair gas leaks and target the repair of high-emitting leaks through the use of advanced leak detection technology; continue or expand customer oriented initiatives to ensure energy affordability, improve customer experience and maintain customer satisfaction; improve the resiliency of the distribution system by investing in automation, safety valves, and storm hardening projects; and continue or expand many Climate Act-supporting initiatives such as non-pipe alternatives, energy efficiency and demand-response programs.

The companies’ pre-filed testimony and exhibits in these proceedings may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service web page, www.dps.ny.gov, by searching under the Commission Files section and inputting Case 23-G-0225 or 23-G-0226.

Under New York State law, the Commission must consider a utility's proposal and may adopt or reject it, in whole or in part, or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider changes proposed by the participating parties and general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the companies’ proposal. Public statement hearings will be held over two days to obtain comments from the public concerning the companies’ proposals.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in-person information sessions and public statement hearings will be held before ALJs James A. Costello and/or Maureen F. Leary, as follows:

Those wishing to comment on any aspect of these proceedings will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record before the ALJs. It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance, or present written material to speak at a hearing. Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card. Each public statement hearing will be held open a minimum of thirty minutes and will be kept open 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. A verbatim transcript of each public statement hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these proceedings.

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at (800) 342-3377 for free language assistance services.

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 23-G-0225 and Case 23-G-0226 – National Grid.”

By Internet or Mail: Please go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter 23-G-0225 or 23-G-0226 in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” box located at the top of the page

Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, New York State Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case numbers, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals also may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to receive in-state calls 24-hours a day. These calls are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.