The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced today that it will hold public statement hearings in Utica, Watertown and Syracuse to receive public comment on options for area code relief in the 315 area code region which serves all or part of 18 northern and central New York counties.  The Commission’s goal is to develop a plan that minimizes disruption to customers while ensuring availability of telephone numbers beyond 2015 in that region.

The dates, locations and times for the six hearings are:

MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2013

Utica State Office Building

207 Genesee Street

Utica, NY 13501

2:00 p.m.  Educational Forum

3:00 p.m.  Public Statement Hearing

6:00 p.m.  Educational Forum

7:00 p.m.  Public Statement Hearing

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Dulles State Office Building

317 Washington Street

Watertown, NY 13601

2:00 p.m.  Educational Forum

3:00 p.m.  Public Statement Hearing

6:00 p.m.  Educational Forum

7:00 p.m.  Public Statement Hearing

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

Senator John J. Hughes State Office Building

333 East Washington Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

2:00 p.m.  Educational Forum

3:00 p.m.  Public Statement Hearing

6:00 p.m.  Educational Forum

7:00 p.m.  Public Statement Hearing

During the public information forums, the New York State Department of Public Service Staff will describe the 315 area code relief options under consideration.  Question and answer periods will follow. 

It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearing.  Speakers will be called after completing a card requesting time to speak.  Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may place a collect call to 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 to reach the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Office at the previously mentioned number.  

Other Ways to Comment

Internet or Mail:  In addition to the formal hearings, comments may be sent electronically to the Acting Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or mailed or delivered to Hon. Jeffrey C. Cohen, Acting Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Your comments should refer to “Case 07-C-1486 – 315 Area Code Relief.”

Toll-free Opinion Line:  Comments may also be submitted through the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This number is designed to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day.  Callers should press “1” to leave comments.

Formal comments are requested by August 16, 2013, but they will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding.  Comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission.  Written comments may be accessed on the Web site by searching Case 07-C-1486 and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.  Many libraries offer free Internet access.  If you have difficulty understanding English, please call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.