Virtual Public Statement Hearing Set Regarding Champlain Hudson Project

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a virtual public statement hearing on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, to receive public comments concerning a petition filed by CHPE LLC and CHPE Properties, Inc. (collectively, CHPE) on August 3, 2021, seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Commission pursuant to Section 68 of the Public Service Law (PSL).

By order dated April 18, 2013, the Commission granted a conditional Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need pursuant to PSL Article VII to CHPE, authorizing CHPE to construct, maintain, and operate the project – a high voltage, direct current transmission line extending approximately 339 miles from the international border with Canada to a converter station in Astoria, Queens. In doing so, the Commission determined that the project would serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

Prior to beginning construction on the project, CHPE must obtain a CPCN pursuant to PSL §68, which would ensure that it is properly registered to do business in New York State, that it has received the consent of appropriate municipalities to proceed with the project, and that it is financially capable of doing so. Accordingly, on August 3, 2021, CHPE filed a petition requesting that the Commission issue an order granting a CPCN pursuant to PSL §68.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that comments are sought on the petition field by CHPE on August 3, 2021. As this is not an opportunity for parties to relitigate issues already decided by the Commission in the above-referenced Article VII proceeding, comments should pertain to CHPE’s ability and readiness to commence construction of the project as contemplated by PSL §68.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a virtual public statement hearing will be held before Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Michael Clarke on:

DATE: Tuesday, February 15, 2022
TIME: 1:00 P.M.

Electronic Access: www.webex.com

Event Number: 2338 109 5539

Password: Feb15-1pm

Phone-Only Access: (518) 549-0500

Access Code: 2338 109 5539

Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record at the hearing must pre-register to do so by 3:00 P.M. on Monday, February 14, 2022.

To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to the hearing electronically must pre-register 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 event number, and providing all requested information.

When logging in to the hearing on the appropriate date and time, 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 that participants enter their phone numbers.

To register by phone: Any participant who is not able to log in to the hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at the hearing must pre-register by calling 1-800-342-3330 by the date and time noted above, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number. On the date and time of the hearing, all call-in users should dial 518-549-0500 and enter the access code listed above.

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 to submit comments into the record have been made. 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 public statement hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of this case.

To listen to a hearing: Any person who would like to listen to the hearing but would not like to make a statement may access the hearing without pre-registering. The hearing will be livestreamed on the internet and available for viewing on the Department of Public Service’s YouTube channel on the date and time 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 hearing by phone by calling the phone access number (518-549-0500) and entering the access code listed above.

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 the public statement hearing, there are several other ways to provide your comments. Comments should refer to Case “21-E-0425.”

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search” and enter “21-E-0425” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” 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.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a procedural conference will be held immediately following the Public Statement Hearing, as part of the same teleconference. The principal purposes of the procedural conference are to identify any potential parties and provide interested persons an opportunity to present and explain any proposals regarding the procedures they believe should be followed in this case by the ALJ and Commission, including, but not limited to, whether any issues of fact presented by the petition or public comments warrant an evidentiary hearing. Other procedural issues also may be addressed.

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