Virtual Public Statement Hearing Set Regarding Veolia and SUEZ Joint Proposal

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a virtual public statement hearing on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, to receive public comments related to a November 5, 2021 joint proposal filed in this proceeding.

On June 14, 2021, Veolia Environnement S.A. and Veolia North America, Inc. (Veolia) and SUEZ S.A. and SUEZ Water New York Inc. (Suez) filed a joint petition seeking approval from the Commission of a proposed acquisition. On November 5, 2021, several parties in the proceeding filed a joint proposal resolving the issues raised in the petition.

An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to this matter. A public statement hearing will be held virtually to obtain public comments about the joint proposal.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an opportunity to provide comment will be held as follows:

DATE: Wednesday, November 17, 2021

TIME: 6:00 P.M.

Electronic Access: www.webex.com

Event Number: 2333 115 0298

Password: Nov17-6pm

Phone-Only Access: (518) 549-0500

Access Code: 2333 115 0298

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 hearing. Any person wishing to provide a public statement must pre-register electronically or by telephone by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to the 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 the hearing, 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 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, 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 ALJ 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 hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.

To listen to the hearing: Any person who would like to listen to the hearing but would not like to make a statement may access the hearing without registering. The 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 hearing 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 the public statement hearing, there are several other ways to comment about this case to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 21-W-0338 – Veolia/Suez Acquisition Petition.” Although comments submitted via these alternative means will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by December 3, 2021.

Internet or Email: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” search using case number “21-W-0338” and then click the “Post Comments” button at the top of the page; or email comments 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 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.

###