The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission)  announced today that it will hold public statement hearings on a petition by Niagara Gas Transport of Lockport NY LLC (NGT) to allow the company to construct a natural gas transmission line in the Towns of Cambria and Lockport, Niagara County.  The Commission may approve, approve with changes, or reject NGT’s petition in whole or in part.

The date, location and time for the hearings are:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013

West Street Elementary School

5700 West Street
Sanborn, New York 14132

3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

BACKGROUND

On June 11, 2013, NGT filed for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to build and operate an approximately 2000 feet long, 4 to 6 inch diameter gas transmission line in the Towns of Cambria and Lockport.  The proposed natural gas transmission line would connect the Cambria Asphalt Products, Inc. plant to an existing coated steel pipeline owned and operated by Lockport Energy Associates, L.P.  NGT asserts that approval of its request is in the public interest because the proposed line is economically feasible, and its construction will result in substantially lower carbon emissions as the asphalt plant switches from waste oil to natural gas as its power source.  NGT adds that the cost of constructing the line is modest compared to the benefits it will yield, and the line will be financed with 100 percent equity.

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.

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.  Comments should refer to “Case 13-G-0243 – Niagara Gas Transport, LLC.”

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