Albany, NY – The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced that it is seeking comment on a proposal by New York Power Authority (NYPA) to construct series compensation equipment facilities (capacitor banks) on approximately two acres of land owned by New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG) at a substation in Delhi, Delaware County. The Commission may approve, modify, or reject NYPA’s proposal in whole or in part.

On January 17, 2014, NYPA filed an amendment to the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Marcy South 345 kV transmission facilities, requesting that the Commission authorize the addition of one capacitor bank and associated equipment on NYPA-owned land adjacent to the existing Marcy substation located in Marcy, Oneida County and one capacitor bank on property owned by NYSEG adjacent to the existing Fraser substation located in Delhi, Delaware County, New York.

On May 7, 2014, NYPA informed the Commission that it was in discussions with NYSEG to determine the possible relocation of the proposed facilities. NYPA has since reported that it has reached an agreement with NYSEG regarding relocating the proposed capacitor bank and associated equipment on NYSEG-owned property near the Fraser substation. NYPA submitted the supplemental filing which addresses the relocation change and confirmed that the project will result in no material increase in any environmental impact of the Marcy South 345 kV Transmission Facilities.

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.

At an informational forum prior to the public statement hearing, the applicant and Department of Public Service staff will provide a brief summary of the proposed project followed by a question and answer period.

The informational forum and public statement hearing will be held as follows:

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

Delhi Town Hall

5 Elm Street

Delhi, NY 13753

Informational Forum: 5:00 p.m.

Public Statement Hearing: 6:00 p.m.

 The public statement hearings will remain open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other 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 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-T-0515 – NY Power Authority Request to Construct Additional Facilities next to the Fraser Substation, Delhi, Delaware County.”

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-T-0515 (at www.dps.ny.gov, enter Case Number 13-T-0515 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-T-0515 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.