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For Immediate Release: 09/10/2024
Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080 24077 / 24-E-0322; 24-G-0323 September 10, 2024
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Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding National Grid’s Electric & Gas Delivery Rates |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold in-person public statement hearings on Tuesday, September 17; Wednesday, September 18; and, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, and a virtual public statement hearing on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, concerning proposed changes in the electric and gas delivery rates and practices of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid (National Grid). On May 28, 2024, National Grid filed amendments to its electric and gas tariff schedules, proposing to increase its annual electric and gas delivery revenues effective April 1, 2025. More specifically, National Grid seeks to increase its electric delivery revenues by approximately $525 million (20 percent increase in base delivery revenues or an 11 percent increase in total revenues) and its gas delivery revenues by approximately $148 million (28 percent increase in base delivery revenues or a 15 percent increase in total revenues). These increases would result in total monthly bill increases for the average residential customer of approximately $18.92 (15 percent) for electric and $18.34 for gas (20 percent). The company states that it is focused on three priorities for these rate filings: (1) continuing to meet its core obligation to deliver safe, reliable energy service to its more than two million customers; (2) enabling customers to affordably meet their energy needs while improving customer service; and (3) supporting the clean energy transition and advancing the goals of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The company’s pre-filed testimony and exhibits in these proceedings may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”) and entering “24-E-0322” or “24-G-0323” in the box labelled “Search by Case Number.”
Under New York State law, the Commission must consider a utility's rate 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 public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to these proceedings.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to comment on any aspect of these proceedings will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record before the ALJs at in-person public statement hearings to be held as follows:
It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or present written material to speak at an in-person hearing. Individuals will be called to speak after completing a request card. Each public statement hearing will be held open for a minimum of thirty minutes or until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record. A verbatim transcript of each public statement hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these proceedings.
Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all registered speakers an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that anyone wishing to comment on any aspect of these proceedings will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record before the ALJs during a virtual public statement hearing that will be held as follows:
Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record during the virtual public statement hearing must register to do so by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 2024.
To register and provide a statement electronically:
Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to the virtual public statement hearing electronically must register by the date and time indicated above by visiting https://dps.ny.gov/event/national-grid-psc-holds-public-statement-hearing-albany-regarding-national-grids-rate, where they should (1) click “Register in advance” (found under “Virtual Public Statement Hearing”), (2) click the “Register” button on the Webex page, and (3) provide all requested information.
When logging in to participate in the hearing on 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 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 and provide a statement by phone:
Any participant who is not able to log in to the virtual public statement hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at the virtual public statement 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 name and last name, address, and phone number.
On the day and time of the virtual public statement hearing, dial (518) 549-0500 and enter the access code and phone-in password, listed above, to join the hearing.
All participants will be muted upon entry into the virtual public statement hearing, which will be held open until everyone who has registered 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 registered speakers 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 virtual public statement hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.
To listen to the virtual public statement hearing:
This option is available to anyone who wishes to listen only. Registration is not required to merely listen to the hearing.
The virtual public statement 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 virtual public statement hearing by phone by calling (518) 549-0500 and entering the access code and phone-in password.
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 24-E-0322 – National Grid” or “Case 24-G-0323 – National Grid.” All comments must be received by February 28, 2025.
Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter “24-E-0322” or “24-G-0323” in the box labelled “Search by Case Number,” and then click on “Post Comments” located at the top right of the page.
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 numbers, 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 comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.
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