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For Immediate Release: 01/24/22 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
22009 / 21-G-0577
January 24, 2022
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Virtual Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding Proposed Changes in Gas Delivery Rates and Practices of Liberty Utilities |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold two virtual public statement hearings on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, to receive public comments concerning proposed changes in the gas delivery rates and practices of Liberty Utilities (St. Lawrence Gas) Corp. (Liberty or the company).
On November 24, 2021, Liberty filed amendments to its gas tariff schedules, proposing to increase its annual gas delivery revenues effective November 1, 2022. The company proposes to increase its gas delivery revenues by approximately $3.44 million (9.48 percent increase in operating revenues), which would result in a total monthly bill increase of approximately 18 percent for an average residential heating customer, 20 percent for an average commercial customer, and an increase of about 7 percent for the industrial service class. Liberty’s pre-filed testimony and exhibits in this proceeding may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service web page, www.dps.ny.gov, by searching under Case 21-G-0577.
Under New York State law, the Commission must consider a utility's 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 the general public. An Administrative Law Judge is presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the proposal.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held before the assigned Administrative Law Judge on:
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 at either hearing must register in advance of the hearing by no later than 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to a hearing electronically may register to do so by visiting www.webex.com by the date and time indicated above, clicking “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, inputting the appropriate event number, and providing all requested information. On the day of the hearings, participants should visit www.webex.com, click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and input the appropriate event number listed above. When asked to “select audio system,” it is recommended that participants choose to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers.
To register 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 and last name, address, and phone number.
On the day and time of the hearing, use the phone access number (518-549-0500) and the appropriate access code listed above to join the hearing. All participants will be muted upon their entry into the hearing. The ALJ will call each person who has requested to provide a statement to speak. The ALJ 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. Reasonable 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 this case.
To listen to a hearing: Any person who would like to listen to a hearing but would not like to make a statement may access a hearing 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 the phone access number (518-549-0500) and entering the applicable access code.
Persons with disabilities 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 notice.
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 21-G-0577.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by March 1, 2022.
Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search” and enter “21-G-0577” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” located at the top right of the page; or send comments by email to the Secretary to the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov. 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 line is set up to receive in-state calls 24 hours a day. These calls are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission. |
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