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For Immediate Release: 10/21/15
Audrey Zibelman, Chair
Contact: Jon Sorensen | Jon.Sorensen@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
15077/14-M-0101 October 21, 2015
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Additional Statewide Public Hearings Set for Proposed REV Regulatory Reforms to Expand NYS Energy Markets & Consumer ChoicesPSC Seeks to Engage Consumers in Learning How REV Will Spur Clean Energy Innovation, Create Jobs and Protect the Environment |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced that it will hold a second round of public statement hearings to inform the public and gather comments on regulatory reforms proposed as part of REV — Reforming the Energy Vision – Governor Andrew Cuomo’s comprehensive strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
“In the past year, REV has made New York State a national leader in the development of new energy markets and expanded choices for residential and business customers in the State,” said Commission Chair Audrey Zibelman. “REV is helping to shape the future of energy of New York with the launching of demonstration projects, along with groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid.”
Several trailblazing initiatives have already been approved this year, including the adoption of shared renewables to allow for broader community participation in small, clean-energy projects; a pilot community choice aggregation program that allows municipalities to jointly purchase electricity or natural gas at lower prices; criteria to guide the development of smaller power sources, mitigating air pollution in “environmental justice” communities; and the launching of innovative demonstration projects by the major electric utilities in New York to explore how new technology can provide new energy choices and savings for consumers.
From Oct. 27 through Nov. 18, the Commission will hold informational sessions explaining the current goals and answering questions about regulatory issues under REV. Following these hour-long sessions, the public will be invited to comment on the record about REV and/or topics related to New York’s energy future.
The scheduled information and public statement hearings are:
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015
New York University School of Law
Vanderbilt Hall - Tishman Auditorium
40 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
Information Session: 6 - 7 p.m.
Public Statement Hearing: 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
Yonkers Public Library
1500 Central Park Ave.
Yonkers, NY 10710
Information Session: 5 - 6 p.m.
Public Statement Hearing: 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015
Erie County Community College
City Campus Auditorium
121 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
Information Session: 6 - 7 p.m.
Public Statement Hearing: 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 Rochester City Hall City Council Chambers 30 Church St. Rochester, NY 14614 Information Session: 6 - 7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015
Kingston City Hall
Council Chambers, 2nd floor
420 Broadway
Kingston NY 12401
Information Session: 6 - 7 p.m.
Public Statement Hearing: 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015
Binghamton City Hall 38 Hawley Street Binghamton, NY Information Session: 6 - 7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 Clary Middle School Auditorium 100 Amidon Drive Syracuse, NY 13205 Information Session: 6 - 7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing: 7 p.m. “The design of the reformed electric system must include the joint efforts of consumers, industry, government agencies and non-governmental advocates,” Zibelman added. “With this new round of public hearings, the Commission hopes to engage even more New Yorkers in learning how REV is spurring clean energy innovation to create jobs and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
These hearings and forums are the latest in a series of REV-related public events designed to maximize public education about and participation in Commission decisions. Previous events have included a symposium, a seminar series, technical conferences, Commission conferences, numerous webinars, prior public statement hearings and public information forums, and informal meetings with stakeholders and communities. Notice of future events will be posted on the Commission’s web site.
In order to make comments on the record, it is not necessary to be present at the start of a hearing or to make an appointment in advance. Written materials will be accepted but they are not required of public speakers. Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card. The public statement hearing will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made.
Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should call the DPS'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 Commission at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.
Other Ways to Comment
Internet or Mail: In addition to speaking at the formal hearings, members of the public desiring to comment may submit written comments by sending them electronically to the Commission’s Secretary at secretary@dps.ny.gov or by mail or delivery to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350. Comments should refer to Case 14-M-0101.
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 for the cases referenced above.
Opinion-line comments are not transcribed but are summarized, with the summary reported to the Consumer Advocate and the Commission. Written comments may be accessed on the Commission’s website by searching Case 14-M-0101 in the input box labeled "Search for Case Number" and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab. Many libraries offer free Internet access.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Under Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), New York State is spurring clean-energy innovation and attracting new investment to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV encompasses groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid, redesigned programs and strategies to unlock private capital, and active leadership in deploying innovative energy solutions across the State’s own public facilities and operations. REV will enable a dynamic, clean-energy economy operating at a scale that will stimulate opportunities for communities across the state to create jobs and drive local economic growth, while protecting our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities. To learn more about REV, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY.
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