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For Immediate Release: 09/26/17
John B. Rhodes, Chair
Contact: James Denn | Jame.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
17074 / 17-E-0459, 17-G-0460
September 26, 2017
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Public Statement Hearings Scheduled for Central Hudson Rate CasesComment Sought on Proposed Changes to Delivery Rates and Practices |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced it will hold public statement hearings and seek public comment concerning proposed changes in the electric and gas delivery rates and practices of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Central Hudson).
On July 28, 2017, Central Hudson filed amendments to its electricity and gas tariff schedules, proposing to increase its annual electric and gas delivery revenues effective July 1, 2018. Central Hudson proposes to increase its annual electric delivery revenues by $43 million (an increase of 7.9 percent to total revenues) and its gas delivery revenues by $18.1 million (an increase of about 12 percent in total revenues). Included in Central Hudson’s proposals are funding for modernizing its electric and gas infrastructure and information technology systems, enhanced workforce training, re-establishing a four-year cycle for distribution line clearance and a five-year cycle for transmission line right-of-way maintenance, and implementing a new low income bill discount program, among other things. Actual bill impacts of these proposed changes on any particular customer class will vary based upon revenue allocation and rate design. Under New York State law, the Commission may adopt or reject the utility’s proposals, in whole or in part, or modify them. In doing so, the Commission will consider changes proposed by the participating parties and the general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the proposals. Public statement hearings will be held on three different days to obtain comments from the public concerning Central Hudson’s proposals. Public Statement Hearings
In order to provide individuals with information in advance of the public statement hearings, information sessions will be conducted during the hour preceding the public statement hearings. During these sessions, Central Hudson representatives will provide a brief overview of Central Hudson’s rate proposals. In addition, the ALJs will provide a brief overview of the rate case process. These presentations will be followed by a brief opportunity for questions and answers. Each information session will conclude at least five minutes before the public statement hearing is scheduled to commence. The information sessions and public statement hearings will be held as follows:
At the public statement hearings, those wishing to comment on Central Hudson’s rate proposals will have an opportunity to make a statement on the record. It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance in order to speak at the hearing. Persons wishing to comment will be asked to complete a card requesting time to speak when they arrive at the hearing, and will be called in the order in which the cards are received. Speakers are not required to provide written copies of their comments. Each 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 have been made. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record. Persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations should contact the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource 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 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 comment about this case to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Cases 17-E-0459, 17-G-0460 - Central Hudson Gas and Electric Rates.”
Via the Internet or Mail: Comments may be entered directly into the case files by locating the cases via the home page of the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search,” and entering 17-E-0459 or 17-G-0460, and then clicking the “Post Comments” button at the top of the page. Alternatively, comments may be sent electronically to 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 number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. These calls are not transcribed, but a summary is provided to the ALJs and to the Commission for their consideration
Comments submitted via these alternative means are requested by October 20, 2017. Written comments received by the Department will become part of the record considered by the Commission. Central Hudson’s pre-filed testimony and exhibits as well submitted written comments may be viewed online on the Commission’s website by searching case numbers 17-E-0459 or 17-G-0460.
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