ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced it would hold an additional informational forum and public statement hearing in Yorktown to receive comments on changes proposed by the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) to its electric and gas delivery rates and practices. On May 20, 2019, NYSEG filed new electric and gas tariff schedules, intended to take effect in April 2020.

Under New York State Law, the Commission may adopt, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the companies’ proposals. In considering the proposals, the Commission will review the positions proposed by the participating parties and the general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) will preside over the public statement hearing, the gathering of public comments, the evidentiary hearing, and all evidence relating to the proposals. To provide individuals with information in advance of the public statement hearing, an information session will be conducted during the hour preceding the public statement hearing. During this session, the ALJs will provide a brief overview of the rate case process and NYSEG representatives will provide a brief overview of their rate proposals. These presentations will be followed by a brief opportunity for questions. The information session will conclude at least five minutes before the public statement hearing is scheduled to commence.

 Opportunities for public information and comment will be held, as follows:

Under NYSEG’s proposal, annual electric delivery rates would increase by $174.5 million (22.7% on base delivery revenues and 11.6% in total revenues) and annual gas delivery rates would increase by $9.4 million (4.6% in gas delivery revenues and 2.1% in total revenues). NYSEG projects that the average residential monthly electric bill would increase by $11.23 (or 15.0% on the total bill). The average monthly residential gas bill will increase by $1.71 (or 1.9% on the total bill).

According to NYSEG, vegetation management is the largest driver for the requested electric rate increase. The gas delivery rate increases are primarily associated with depreciation, infrastructure investments, and increases to operation and maintenance expenses. Although the actual bill impacts of these proposed changes on any particular customer class will vary based upon revenue allocation and rate design.

At the public statement hearing, those wishing to comment on the companies’ rate proposals will have an opportunity to make a statement on the record. It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance in order to speak at the hearing. Persons wishing to comment will be asked to complete a card requesting time to speak when they arrive at the hearing and then will be called in the order in which the cards are received. Speakers may, but are not required to, provide written copies of their comments. Each public statement hearing will be held open for a minimum of one-half hour and will be kept open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to submit comments. A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made for inclusion in the record.

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 one or more of the following cases: "Case 19-E-0378" (NYSEG electric rates) and "Case 19-G-0379" (NYSEG gas rates).

Internet or Email: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” enter the applicable case number (19-E-0378 or 19-G-0379) and then click the “Post Comments” button at the top of the page; or email comments to the Secretary for the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov.

By Mail or Hand Delivery: Alternatively, comments may be mailed or delivered to the Honorable Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: Commenters also may call the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Comments provided through the Toll-Free Opinion Line are not transcribed, but a summary is provided to the ALJs and to the Commission for its consideration.

Comments submitted via these alternative means will be accepted throughout these proceedings. Written comments received by the Department will become part of the record considered by the Commission. Written comments may be viewed online by going to www.dps.ny.gov, clicking on “Search,” entering the applicable case number (19-E-0378 or 19-G-0379), and then clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.