Albany, NY – The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced that it is holding public statement hearings to solicit public comments on two competing proposals to construct a pipeline to bring natural gas from the Tennessee interstate pipeline to the Dunkirk Generating Station in the City of Dunkirk, Chautauqua County. One proposal, by Dunkirk Gas Corporation (Dunkirk), affiliated with the owner of the generating station, is for an approximately 11 mile pipeline from the Tennessee Pipeline in the Town of Pomfret to the Generating Station. A second proposal was submitted by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel) to construct an approximately 9.5 mile gas transmission line to the Generating Station from a different connecting point on the Tennessee Pipeline in the Town of Pomfret.

The natural gas pipeline addition at the Dunkirk Generating Station will enable the plant to burn natural gas to generate power. Currently the Generating Station burns coal, but it plans to add the capability to use natural gas. The Public Service Commission previously approved an agreement between Dunkirk and National Grid that will facilitate Dunkirk’s plan to develop gas capability, following Dunkirk’s announcement that it planned to close the Generating Station.

On August 13, 2014, Dunkirk filed its petition (Case 14-T-0360) to construct approximately 11.3 miles of new 16-inch buried pipeline to transport natural gas from the Tennessee Gas Pipeline to the Dunkirk Generating Station in the City of Dunkirk. Meanwhile, on October 8, 2014, National Fuel filed a petition (Case 14-T-0458) to construct a natural gas pipeline and associated facilities to serve the same power plant, and interconnect at the Tennessee Gas Pipeline approximately 10 miles south of the Dunkirk Power Plant. The Commission may approve, modify, or reject Dunkirk’s or National Fuel’s proposals in whole or in part.

Public Statement Hearings

The public will have an opportunity to present comments at hearings before an Administrative Law Judge assigned by the Commission to hear this case. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of the proceeding.

At informational forums prior to the public statement hearings, the two applicants and Department of Public Service staff will provide a brief summary of the proposed projects followed by a question and answer period.

The informational forums and public statement hearings will be held as follows:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014

Fredonia Opera House

9 Church Street, Village Hall

Fredonia, NY 14063-0384

Informational Forums: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Public Statement Hearings: 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The public statement hearings will remain open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other arrangements are made.

It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearings. 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.

Other Ways to Comment

Internet or Mail: In addition speaking at the formal hearings, members of the public desiring to comment may submit written comments by sending them electronically to the Secretary at secretary@dps.ny.gov or by mail or delivery to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Comments should refer to "Case 14-T-0360 - Dunkirk Gas Corporation - Gas Pipeline" and/or "Case 14-T-0458 - National Fuel - Gas Pipeline."

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 for the cases referenced above. These comments are not transcribed but are summarized, with the summary reported to the Administrative Law Judge and the Commission.

Comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding. Written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission. Written comments may be accessed on the Commission’s website by searching Cases 14-T-0360 and 14-T-0458 (at www.dps.ny.gov, enter Case Numbers 14-T-0360 or 14-T-0458 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number") and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab. Many libraries offer free Internet access.

The Commission’s decision in this case, when issued, may be obtained on the Commission’s website by searching for Cases 14-T-0360 and 14-T-0458 as described above. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1?800?342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.