Albany, NY – The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced today that is will hold a public statement hearing to seek comment on a petition by the Village of Hamilton, on behalf of its Hamilton Municipal Utilities Commission, to allow the company to expand natural gas service in the Towns of Eaton, Hamilton and Madison in Madison County.  The Commission may approve, modify, or reject William’s proposal in whole or in part.

The public statement hearing will be held as follows:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014

 Hamilton Public Library – Program Room

13 Broad Street

Hamilton, New York 13346

6:00 p.m. – Public Statement Hearing

BACKGROUND

On December 27, 2013, the Village of Hamilton Municipal Utilities Commission filed a petition with the Commission to construct a natural gas pipeline in the Village of Hamilton, Town of Eaton, Town of Madison and Town of Hamilton, Madison County to provide natural gas to various users including the Community Memorial Hospital, the Hamilton Central School and Colgate University. 

Public Statement Hearings

The public will have an opportunity to present their comments at the hearing before an Administrative Law Judge assigned by the Commission to hear this case.  A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of the proceeding.

It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearings.  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 Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or mailed or delivered to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Your comments should refer to “Case 13-G-0584 – Village of Hamilton Municipal Utilities Commission – Gas Franchises and Construction.”

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.

Comments 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 Commission’s website by searching Case 13-G-0584 (at www.dps.ny.gov, enter Case Number 13-G-0584 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number") and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.  Many libraries offer free Internet access. 

The Commission’s decision in this case, when issued, may be obtained on the Commission’s website by searching for Case 13-G-0584 as described above.  Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).  If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1?800?342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.