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For Immediate Release: 10/20/16
Audrey Zibelman, Chair
Contact: James Denn| James.denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
16072/16-G-0257 October 20, 2016
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National Fuel Public Comment Hearings SetPublic Hearings Convened to Receive Public Input on New Gas Rates |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced it was seeking public comment on a request by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (NFG) concerning changes in its gas delivery rates and practices. NFG filed new gas rates on April 28, 2016, intended to take effect in April 2017. NFG proposes to increases its natural gas delivery revenues by approximately $41.7 million (a 7.9 percent increase). Included in NFG’s proposals are funding for the modernization of its pipeline infrastructure and its customer information technology systems, an enhanced low income customer program, and initiatives to expand the availability of natural gas service. The Commission must consider NFG’s proposal and may adopt or reject it in whole or in part, or modify it by adopting changes not proposed by the Company, but by participating parties, the general public or the Commission.
Public Statement Hearings
The public statement hearing will be preceded by a short explanation about the rate case process generally and how individuals can participate. Following this brief presentation, members of the public will have the opportunity to present comments on NFG’s proposals before an Administrative Law Judge presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the proposal. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of the proceeding. The public statement hearings will be held as follows:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
Central Branch 1 Lafayette Square Buffalo, NY 14203 Afternoon Session Starting 3:00 PM
Evening Session Starting 6:00 PM
It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the hearing. Persons will be called to speak after completing a participation card. The hearing sessions will remain open for a minimum of one hour and will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or until other reasonable arrangements have been made.
Disabled persons 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 Commission at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
Other Ways to Comment
For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing, there are several other ways to provide your comments to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 16-G-0257 – National Fuel.”
Via the Internet or Mail: Comments may be entered directly into the case file by locating the case via the home page of the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search” and entering 16-G-0257 in the “Search by Case Number” field. A commenter should click on the “Post Comments” button located at the top of the case page and leave the comment by completing the form to which he or she is then directed.
The public may also submit comments electronically to the Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov or by mail or delivery to Secretary Burgess at the New York State Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350. Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’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 but a summary is provided to the administrative law judges who will report to the Commission.
Comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission. Written comments may be read on the Web site by searching Case 16-G-0257 and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.
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