ALBANY — The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) today announced a statewide series of public statement hearings, starting May 10, to provide information and take public comments on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard.

Governor Cuomo directed the Public Service Commission to design and enact a new Clean Energy Standard mandating that 50 percent of all electricity consumed in New York by 2030 come from clean and renewable energy sources. The proposed Clean Energy mandate also includes a proposal to support emissions-free upstate nuclear power and provisions to ensure that the State meets its goal of 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.

The mandate is part of Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), Governor Cuomo’s strategy to create an energy system that is cleaner, more resilient and affordable for all New Yorkers. According to a benefits and cost analysis published last month, a Clean Energy mandate being developed by DPS staff would result in net benefits of nearly $2 billion from reduced carbon emissions and the development of new renewable power projects. More information on the staff proposal is available here. The Public Service Commission is expected to consider the staff proposal sometime this summer.

The hearings announced today are:

Binghamton: May 10, 2016                                    Town of Amherst: May 11, 2016

Binghamton City Hall                                                Harlem Road Community Center
38 Hawley Street                                                     4255 Harlem Road
Binghamton, NY 13901                                             Amherst, N.Y. 14226
2 p.m. Information Session                                       2 p.m. Information Session
3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                               3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing
6 p.m. Information Session                                       6 p.m. Information Session
7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                               7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing   

Rochester: May 12, 2016                                        Suffolk County: May 17, 2016 

Chili Town Hall                                                                 Suffolk County Legislative Office Bldg.
3333 Chili Avenue                                                            Evans K. Griffing Bldg.
Rochester, NY 14624                                                        300 Center Drive
2 p.m. Information Session                                               Riverhead, N.Y. 11901
3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                       12:30 p.m. Information Session
6 p.m. Information Session                                               1:30 p.m. Public Statement Hearing
7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                       6 p.m. Information Session
                                                                                      7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing

Albany: May 17, 2016                                              Albany: May 17, 2016

Colonie Town Hall                                                              Albany Law School
534 New Loudon Road                                                       East Wing School / Room E211
Latham, NY 12110                                                             80 New Scotland Ave.
2 p.m. Information Session                                                Albany, N.Y.  12208
3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                        6 p.m. Information Session
                                                                                       7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing

Queens County: May 18, 2016                                        Nassau County: May 18, 2016
Knights of Columbus                                                         Nassau Co. Legislative Office Bldg.
333 Beach / 90th St.                                                                     1550 Franklin Ave.
Rockaway Beach, N.Y. 11693                                             Mineola, N.Y. 11501
12 p.m. Information Session                                              6 p.m. Information Session
1 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                        7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing

Plattsburgh: May 18, 2016                                      Oswego: May 24, 2016
Town of Plattsburgh Town Hall                                           Oswego City Hall
151 Banker Road                                                              13 West Oneida St.
Plattsburgh, NY  12901                                                     Oswego, N.Y. 13126
2 p.m. Information Session                                               2 p.m. Information Session
3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                       3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing
6 p.m. Information Session                                               6 p.m. Information Session
7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                       7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing 

Syracuse: May 25, 2016                                          Kingston: May 26, 2016
Liverpool Public Library                                                     Kingston City Hall / Council Chambers
310 Tulip Street                                                               420 Broadway
Liverpool, NY 13088                                                         Kingston, N.Y. 12401
2 p.m. Information Session                                               2 p.m. Information Session
3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                       3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing
6 p.m. Information Session                                               6 p.m. Information Session
7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing                                       7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing

Manhattan: May 31, 2016
NYS Public Service Commission
90 Church Street
Board Room, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10007
2 p.m. Information Session
3 p.m. Public Statement Hearing
6 p.m. Information Session
7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing

In order to make comments on the record, it is not necessary to make an appointment in advance, or to be present written material to speak at the hearing. Written materials will be accepted but they are not required of public speakers. Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card. The public statement hearing will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made.

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should call the DPS'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 notice.

Other Ways to Comment

Internet or Mail: In addition to speaking at the formal hearings, members of the public desiring to comment may submit written comments by sending them electronically to the Commission’s 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, NY 12223-1350. Comments should refer to Case 14-M-0101.

Individuals may also submit comments electronically on the Commission’s website by clicking the "Post Comments" button for case number 15-E-0302.

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.

Opinion-line comments are not transcribed but are summarized, with the summary reported to the Consumer Advocate and the Commission. Written comments may be accessed on the Commission’s website by searching Case 14-M-0101 in the input box labeled "Search for Case Number" and clicking on the "Public Comments" tab. Many libraries offer free Internet access.

About Reforming the Energy Vision

Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and generating 50 percent of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven 600 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY.

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