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For Immediate Release: 01/10/2024 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
24001/23-G-0627 January 10, 2024
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Virtual and In-Person Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding Proposed Changes to National Fuel’s Delivery Rates |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold two virtual public statement hearings on Wednesday, January 17, and two in-person public statement hearings on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, concerning proposed changes in the gas delivery rates and practices of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (NFG). On October 31, 2023, NFG filed amendments to its gas tariff schedules proposing to increase its annual gas delivery revenues effective October 1, 2024. More specifically, the company seeks to increase its gas delivery revenues by approximately $88.8 million (which equals a 30.8 percent increase in base delivery revenues and an 11.1 percent increase in total revenues). The proposed increase would result in a total monthly bill increase of approximately $11.31, or 13.7 percent, for the average residential heating customer, and approximately $16.65, or 8.3 percent, for the average small commercial customer. NFG states that the proposed increase will enable it to make necessary investments in critical energy infrastructure, adequately compensate its employees, and develop and implement initiatives that advance the goals of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
NFG’s pre-filed testimony and exhibits in this proceeding may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”) and entering the case number (23-G-0627) in the box labelled “Search by Case Number.”
Under New York State law, the Commission must consider a utility's rate 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 members of the public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the proposal. Public statement hearings will be held to obtain comments from the public concerning NFG’s proposals.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that two virtual public statement hearings will be held before ALJs Tara Kersey and Michael Clarke, as follows:
Those wishing to comment on any aspect of this proceeding will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the virtual public statement hearings. Any person wishing to provide a public statement must register by 4:30 p.m. on the day before the hearing.
To register and provide a statement electronically:
Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to the hearing electronically must register by the date and time indicated above, by visiting www.webex.com. From the Webex homepage, registrants should click “Join a Meeting” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the event number listed above, click “Register” (it is not necessary to add the password when registering), and provide all requested information.
When logging in to the hearing on the appropriate date and time, participants should click on https://signin.webex.com/join, enter the meeting number for the hearing, and input the appropriate webinar password listed above. Participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers.
To register and provide a statement by phone: Any participant who is not able to log in to a hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at a hearing must register to do so by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first name and last name, address, and phone number.
On the day and appropriate time of the hearing, all call-in users should dial 1-518-549-0500 and enter the relevant access code and phone-in password listed above to join the hearing. All participants will be muted upon entry into the hearing. The ALJs will call on each person who has registered to speak. The ALJs will continue the hearing 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. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.
To listen to the hearings: Any person who would like to listen to the hearings but would not like to make a statement may access the hearings without registering. The hearings will be livestreamed on the internet and available for viewing on the Department of Public Service’s YouTube channel on the date and times listed above. To access the YouTube channel, visit the Department’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, and click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of the homepage. In addition, any person without internet access may listen to the hearings by phone by calling 1-518-549-0500 and entering the applicable access code and phone-in password.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that two in-person public statement hearings will be held:
Those wishing to comment on any aspect of this proceeding 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. A verbatim transcript of each public statement hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these proceedings. Accommodations
Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at 1-518-474-2520 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.
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-0627 – NFG.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of these proceedings, they are requested by February 16, 2024.
Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter the case number (23-G-0627) in the box labelled “Search by Case Number,” and then click on “Post Comments” located at the top right of the page. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, 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 number, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.
Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to receive comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission. |
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