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For Immediate Release: 07/18/17
John B. Rhodes, Chair
Contact: James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
17053/17-E-0238, 17-G-0239
July 18, 2017
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Public Statement Hearings Scheduled for National GridComments Sought on Proposed Changes in Electric and Gas Delivery Rates |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced it was holding public statement hearings and seeking public comment concerning proposed changes in the electric and gas delivery rates and programs of National Grid’s upstate service territory. On July 10, 2017, National Grid filed revised amendments to its electricity and gas tariff schedules, proposing to increase its annual electric and gas delivery revenues effective April 1, 2018. The company proposes to increase its electric delivery revenues by approximately $261 million and to increase its natural gas delivery revenues by approximately $70 million. If approved, the average residential customer would see monthly bill impacts of $8.93 or 11 percent (17.5 percent on delivery). While the total monthly bill impacts for residential gas customers, based on average usage, would be $8.70, or 12.5 percent (20.5 percent on delivery).
Included in National Grid’s proposals are funding for the modernization of its electric and gas infrastructure and its information technology systems, enhanced low-income customer programs, and proposals to deploy advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and AMI-compatible technology. The actual bill impacts of these proposed changes on any particular customer class will vary based upon revenue allocation and rate design.
The Commission may adopt or reject the company’s proposal in whole or in part or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider changes proposed by the participating parties and the general public. Part of this rate review process is to ensure that it is not business-as-usual for utilities and to obtain, consistent with the State’s energy policy, more capital efficiency and energy efficiency as part of the utility’s plan to modernize the grid and ensure reliability and affordability. The rate filing is subject to a rigorous 11-month statutory review process. This detailed review will include a careful and close examination of the company’s proposal by Commission staff, as well as by other interested parties, including customers. An administrative law judge will preside over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the proposal. The purpose of the review will be to ensure National Grid’s rates remain just and reasonable.
Public Statement Hearings
Each public statement hearing will be preceded by a short presentation from a National Grid representative of the company’s filings. Further explanation will be provided about the rate case process generally and how individuals can participate. Following these brief presentations, members of the public will have the opportunity at the public statement hearing portion to present comments on National Grid’s proposals. The information sessions and public statement hearings will be held as follows:
At the public statement hearings, those wishing to comment on any aspect of the proceeding will have an opportunity to make a statement on the record. It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the hearing. Persons will be called to speak after completing a participation card. The hearings will remain open for a minimum of one hour and will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or until other reasonable arrangements have been made. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of the proceeding.
Disabled persons 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 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
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 17-E-0238 and Case 17-G-0239 – National Grid.”
Via the Internet or Mail: Comments may be entered directly into the case file by locating the case via the home page of the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search” and entering 17-E-0238 or 17-G-0239 in the “Search by Case Number” field. A commenter should click on the “Post Comments” button located at the top of the page and leave the comment by completing the form to which he or she is then directed. The public may also send comments electronically to the Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov or by mail or delivery to Secretary Burgess at the New York State Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This line is set up to receive in-state calls 24 hours a day. These calls are not transcribed by a summary is provided to the administrative law judges who will report to the Commission.
Comments submitted via these alterative means are requested by August 8, 2017. Comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission. National Grid’s pre-filed testimony and exhibits as well as submitted written comments may be read on the website by searching Case 17-E-0238 or 17-G-0239.
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