The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission)  announced today that it will hold a public statement hearing on a petition by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Central Hudson) to allow the company to construct a 12,500 foot long natural gas distribution pipeline in the Town and Village of Athens, Greene County.  The Commission may approve, approve with changes, or reject Central Hudson’s petition in whole or in part.

The first phase of the proposed 2.36 mile pipeline would connect to an existing gas main near the CSX Transportation rail line in the Town to Peckham Industries’ liquid asphalt plant in the village. It will then run along County Rt. 28 to the intersection of Schoharie Turnpike and Union Street, and then along Union Street to the Peckham site in the Village. The company also proposes a second development phase which would bring gas service further into the village.

The date, location and time for the hearing is:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Edward J. Arthur Elementary School

51 Third Street

Athens, New York 12015

7:00 p.m.

The Public Statement Hearing will be held open for a minimum of one hour, and will be kept open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements are made.

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 Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or mailed or delivered to Hon. Kathryn H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Your comments should refer to “Case 13-G-0336 – Central Hudson – Town and Village of Athens Gas Franchise.”

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 September 27, 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 13-G-0336 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.

The Commission’s decision today, when issued, may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 13-G-0336 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number."  Many libraries offer free Internet access. 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.