Virtual Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding LED Street Lighting Fixtures

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a virtual public statement hearing on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, concerning light emitting diode (LED) streetlighting fixtures in the Village of Cambridge, Washington County.

In December 2019 and January 2020, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid (National Grid or the company) converted the streetlighting fixtures in the Village of Cambridge, Washington County (village) from high pressure sodium fixtures to light emitting diode (LED) fixtures. On December 13, 2021, a petition was filed by 52 customers stating that the LED fixtures in the village are harmful to a village resident with epilepsy and requests that the Commission require National Grid to (i) remove the LED fixtures and replace them with conventional lighting, (ii) lower the fixtures to less than 20 feet, and (iii) to otherwise eliminate or minimize the impacts of such lighting on the residences in the village.

In particular, petitioners claim that the use of LED streetlighting has caused various negative health impacts such as sleep disruption, visual distortion, glare and driving impairment, headaches, and seizures. The petition further asserts that a village resident has experienced numerous epileptic seizures and associated physical injuries since the installation of the LED streetlights.

On January 23, 2024, Department of Public Service staff (staff) filed its report pursuant to Public Service Law §71 (staff report) regarding the petition. The staff report examines the regulatory requirements regarding LED streetlighting and the requirements of the Company’s tariff. The staff report explains that the LED fixtures, installed at the village’s request, comply with state and federal regulations, and National Grid’s actions comply with its tariff’s requirements. Accordingly, the staff report recommends that the Commission deny the petition.

The petition may be viewed online at the Department’s website at www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), and entering “23-E-0727” in the box labeled “Search by Case Number.”

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a virtual public statement hearing will be held before Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Tara Kersey as follows:

DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
TIME: 6:00 P.M.

Electronic Access: www.webex.com
Event Number: 2343 271 1077
Password: April17-6pm

Phone-Only Access: 518-549-0500
Access Code: 2343 271 1077
Phone-in Password: 27745170

Those wishing to comment on any aspect of this proceeding will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the virtual public statement hearing. Any person wishing to provide a public statement must register to do so by 4:30 p.m. on the day before the hearing.

To register and provide a statement electronically:

Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to the hearing electronically, must register by the date and time indicated above, by visiting www.webex.com. From the Webex homepage, registrants should click “Join a Meeting” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the event number listed above, click “Register” (it is not necessary to add the password when registering), and provide all requested information.

When logging in to the hearing on the appropriate date and time of the hearing, participants should click on https://signin.webex.com/join, enter the meeting number for the hearing, and input the electronic access password 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 hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at the hearing must register to do so by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first name and last name, address, and phone number.

On the day and time of the hearing, all call-in participants should dial 1-518-549-0500 and enter the access code and phone-only password provided above.

All participants will be muted upon entry into the hearing. The ALJ will call on each person who has registered to speak. The ALJ 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 this case.

To listen to the hearing:

No registration is required for anyone wishing to listen to the hearing but not make a statement during the hearing. In addition, any person without internet access may listen to the hearing by phone by calling 1-518-549-0500 and entering the applicable access code and phone-only password.

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at 1-518-474-2520 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 to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 23-E-0727 – Village of Cambridge.” Comments are requested by May 1, 2024.

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter “23-E-0727” 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 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 comments from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These calls are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

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