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For Immediate Release: 10/27/21 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
21109 / 20-E-0380; 20-G-0381; 19-M-0133 October 27, 2021
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Virtual Public Statement Hearings Regarding National Grid’s Joint Proposal Proposing Changes in Electric and Gas Delivery Rates |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold virtual public statement hearings on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, to receive public comments concerning a joint proposal that proposes changes in the electric and gas delivery rates and practices of the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid.
On September 27, 2021, National Grid filed a joint proposal with the Commission seeking approval to increase annual electric and gas delivery revenues over three years. In addition to National Grid, the joint proposal was signed by staff of the Department of Public Service, Multiple Intervenors, New York Power Authority, Direct Energy Services LLC, Marathon Power LLC, New York State Office of General Services, Walmart, Inc., and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 97.
The joint proposal incorporates three-year rate plans for National Grid’s electric and gas delivery businesses covering the period July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024, with rate years 1, 2, and 3 consisting of the 12-month periods ending on June 30, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. Under the terms of the joint proposal, after adjustments to reflect rate compression in rate year 1 and offsets with deferred credits and reductions in gross receipts tax, total annual revenues would increase by 1.4 percent for electric and 1.8 percent for gas in rate year 1 and by 1.9 percent for electric and gas in rate years 2 and 3. To achieve those percentage amounts over the term of the rate plan, National Grid will amortize approximately $145.9 million in deferred credits attributable to its electric business and $40.57 million in deferred credits attributable to its gas business.
The actual bill impacts of the joint proposal on any particular customer class will vary based upon revenue allocation and rate design. Under the joint proposal, total electric bills for typical residential customers using 600 kilowatts per month would increase by between 2.02 percent and 2.2 percent in rate year 1, 1.98 percent and 2.12 percent in rate year 2, and 2.24 percent and 2.4 percent in rate year 3, depending on the location of customers within the company’s service territory. Total gas bills for typical residential customers using 82 therms per month would increase by 1.99 percent in rate year 1, 3.13 percent in rate year 2, and 3.29 percent in rate year 3.
The full text of the joint proposal and further information in these proceedings, including pre-filed testimony and exhibits, may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service web page, www.dps.ny.gov, by searching under Case 20-E-0380 (for National Grid’s electric business) or Case 20-G-0381 (for National Grid’s gas business).
Under New York State Law, the Commission may adopt or reject the joint proposal, in whole or part, or modify it. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the joint proposal.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held before ALJs Ashley Moreno and James A. Costello, as follows:
Those wishing to comment on any aspect of the joint proposal 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 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to a hearing electronically should visit 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 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, 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 continue the hearing until all people wishing to speak have 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 hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.
To listen to the hearings: Any person who would like to listen to the hearings but would not like to make a statement may access the hearings 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 (518) 549-0500 and entering the applicable access code.
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. Users of Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading the English language are encouraged to call the Commission 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 comment about these cases to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 20-E-0380 – National Grid for Electric Service” or “Case 20-G-0381 – National Grid for Gas Service.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by November 8, 2021.
Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” search using “20-E-0380” or “20-G-0381” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” located at the top 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 Honorable 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 and be 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. |
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