The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) is seeking comment on an application in which New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) requests a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to construct the Columbia County Transmission Project, approximately 11 miles of 115 Kilovolt transmission line and related facilities in the Towns of Chatham, Ghent, and Stockport, in Columbia County.

 Public Statement Hearing

The public will have an opportunity to present their comments at the hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.  A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of the proceeding.

 The public statement hearings will be held as follows:

FRIDAY, June 14, 2013

 West Ghent Fire Company Station

74 Bender Blvd.

Gerald Simons Commerce Park

(Right off Route 9H in Ghent)

Ghent, NY  12075-0098

4:00 p.m. – Public Information Forum

5:00 p.m. – Public Statement Hearing

During the public information forum, the New York State Department of Public Service Staff will provide a brief overview of the Public Service Law Certification process, and NYSEG will provide a brief description of the project.  A question and answer period will follow the presentations.

It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearing.  Speakers will be called after completing a card requesting time to speak.  Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may place a collect call to 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 to reach the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Office at the previously mentioned number.  If you have difficulty understanding English, please call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

Other Ways to Comment

Internet or Mail:  In addition to the formal hearings, comments may be sent electronically to the Acting Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or mailed or delivered to Hon. Jeffrey C. Cohen, Acting Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Your comments should refer to “Case 12-T-0248 – Application of New York State Electric and Gas Corporation for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of the Columbia County Transmission Project.”

Toll-free Opinion Line:  Comments may also be submitted through the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This number is designed to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day.  Callers should press “1” to leave comments.

All public comments will become part of the record and will be posted and available for viewing on the Commission’s Web site at http://www.dps.ny.gov. Persons interested in NYSEG’s filings and related documents may view them at http://www.dps.ny.gov.  From the Department of Public Service’s homepage under the caption “What’s Hot,” click on the category “Electric,” then click on the link for “Columbia County Transmission Project.”