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For Immediate Release: 02/09/2022 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
22014 / 21-T-0340
February 09, 2022
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Virtual Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding Proposed Smart Path Connect Project |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold two virtual public statement hearings on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, to receive public comments concerning an application by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and National Grid to construct, operate and maintain the Smart Path Connect Project (the project) located in Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Oneida counties.
To construct the project, the applicants must first obtain a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need from the Commission pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law. The project includes rebuilding all or parts of: NYPA’s Moses-Willis 1 & 2 Lines, NYPA’s Willis-Patnode and NYPA’s Willis-Ryan lines; and National Grid’s Adirondack to Porter line (Chases Lake-Porter Line 11, Adirondack-Porter Line 12, and Adirondack-Chases Lake Line 13), the extension of the existing 230 kilovolt Rector Road to Chases Lake Line 10, as well as connecting to NYPA’s Moses-Adirondack 1 & 2 (also known as MA 1 & 2 or Smart Path) right-of-way (ROW). The project is proposed to be built primarily within existing ROWs.
Under New York State Law, the Commission may adopt or reject the applicants’ proposal, in whole or part, or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider input from the participating parties and the general public. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence related to the project.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that opportunities for public information and comment regarding the Applicants’ request will be provided as follows:
Each informational forum will be followed by a public statement hearing where all those wishing to comment on the applicants’ request will have an opportunity to make a statement on the record before the ALJ. 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 hearings. Any person wishing to provide a public statement must pre-register in advance of the hearings.
To register electronically: Participants who will log in electronically to a hearing must pre-register to do so by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 14, 2022. Registrants should go to www.webex.com and click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, then input the event number listed above, and provide all requested information. On the date and time of the hearing, participants should visit www.webex.com, click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and input the event number for the hearing. Participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants choose 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 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 14, 2022, by calling (800) 342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing, and provide the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number. On the day and time of the hearing, all call-in users should 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 ALJ will call each person who has requested to provide a statement to speak. The ALJ will continue the hearing until everyone registered to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record. 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 hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of this case.
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 the phone access number, (518) 549-0500, and entering the relevant 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 (800) 342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.
The application may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service website, www.dps.ny.gov. To access documents, go to “Search,” type the case number, “21-T-0340,” and click “Search by Case Number.” The application is also available for review at local public libraries in the project vicinity.
Other Ways to Comment
For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at the public statement hearings, there are several other ways to provide your comments to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 21-T-0340.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by March 31, 2022.
Via the Internet or Mail: Please go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search” and enter “21-T-0340” in the “Search by Case Number” field, then click on “Post Comments” at the top right of the page. Comments may also be submitted electronically to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or by mail to the Honorable Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, New York State 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 Department of Public Service’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This line 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 by the ALJ. |
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