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For Immediate Release: 04/21/21 John B. Howard, Interim Chair
Contact: James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
21043 / 21-E-0074, 21-G-0073 April 21, 2021
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Virtual Public Statement Hearings Set for O&R’s Rate Case |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold two virtual public statement hearings on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, to receive public comments concerning proposed changes in the electric and gas delivery rates and practices of Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R).
On January 29, 2021, O&R filed amendments to its tariff schedules, proposing to increase its annual electric and gas delivery revenues effective January 1, 2022. O&R proposes to increase its annual electric delivery revenues by $24.5 million (representing 5.8 percent increase in delivery revenues, or 3.3 percent increase in total revenues), and its annual gas delivery revenues by $9.8 million (representing a 6.9 percent increase in delivery revenues, or 4.0 percent increase in total revenues). The increases would be for the rate year beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022. The actual bill impacts of these proposed increases on any particular customer class will vary based upon revenue allocation and rate design.
Among other things, O&R indicates that its rate filings include proposals to encourage electric vehicle adoptions; promote energy efficiency; support customer initiatives; invest in storm hardening and grid modernization and distribution automation projects; expand the tree trimming and removal program; implement new pipeline safety, advanced metering infrastructure, and gas detection systems; and remove and replace leak-prone pipes.
O&R proposal, pre-filed testimony and exhibits in these proceedings may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service web page, www.dps.ny.gov, by searching under Cases 21-E-0074 or 21-G-0073.
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 general public. Administrative Law Judges are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the proposal.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held, as follows:
Those wishing to comment on any aspect of these proceedings 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 must pre-register electronically or by telephone by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will login to a hearing electronically may register to do so by visiting www.webex.com by the date and time indicated above, click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the appropriate event number listed above, and provide all requested information.
When logging in to participate in a hearing at the appropriate date and time, 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. 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 participants to enter their phone numbers.
To register by phone: Any participant who is not able to login 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, following the prompts to the appropriate hearing and then providing the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number.
On the appropriate day and time of the hearing, dial (518) 549-0500 and enter the relevant access code, listed above, to join the hearing.
All participants will be muted upon entry into the hearing. The ALJs will call on each person who has registered to speak. The ALJs 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. 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 hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.
To listen to the hearing: Any person who would like to listen to the hearing but would not like to make a statement may access the 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 dates 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 (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-E-0074 and Case 21-G-0073 – Orange and Rockland.”
Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by October 16, 2021.
Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search” and enter case number 21-E-0074 or 21-G-0073 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 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 number 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.
To become a registered DMM user, apply for party status, or subscribe to the service list, please either (1) go to www.dps.ny.gov, click “Search”, enter the case number that you wish to follow or become a party to (21-E-0074 or 21-G-0073) in “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on the appropriate button in the upper right hand corner of the page (either “Subscribe to Service List” or “Request for Party Status”); or (2) see the instructions and guidance located at http://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/B785AE8643B0B8D9852576A9005E090D?OpenDocument.
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