ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced that it will hold two virtual public statement hearings on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, concerning proposed changes in the electric and gas delivery rates and practices of Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation (Central Hudson).

Central Hudson filed amendments to its electric and gas tariff schedules on August 27, 2020, proposing to increase its annual electric and gas delivery revenues effective July 1, 2021.

Central Hudson proposes to increase its electric delivery revenues by approximately $32.8 million (8.4 percent increase in base delivery revenues, or 5.1 percent increase in total system revenues). The requested increase in electric delivery revenues results in an average residential monthly bill increase of $7.76 (6.22 percent increase on the total bill) for an average 630 kWh per month customer. Central Hudson has proposed moderating the increase with $20 million of bill credits representing projected net regulatory liability balances, which would reduce the impact on customers from $32.8 million to $12.8 million (3.3 percent increase in base delivery revenues, or 2 percent increase in total system revenues). Including the bill credits, the bill impacts on an average residential customer would be $3.51 per month (2.82 percent increase on the total bill).

Central Hudson proposes to increase its gas delivery revenues by approximately $14.4 million (12.1 percent increase in base delivery revenues, or 7.7 percent increase in total system revenues), which would result in a monthly bill increase of approximately $9.45 (7.96 percent on the total bill) for an average residential heating customer using 70 Ccf per month. Central Hudson has proposed moderating the increase with $8 million of bill credits representing projected net regulatory liability balances, which would reduce the impact on customers from $14.4 million to $6.4 million (5.4 percent increase in base delivery revenues, or 3.4 percent increase in total system revenues). The resulting impact including the bill credits on an average residential heating customer would be $3.28 per month (2.76 percent on the total bill).

Central Hudson’s pre-filed testimony and exhibits in these proceedings may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service web page, www.dps.ny.gov, by searching under Case 20-E-0428 or 20-G-0429.

The Public Service Commission must consider a utility's proposal and may adopt or reject it, in whole or in part, or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider changes proposed by the participating parties and general public. Administrative law judges are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the proposal.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held before Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) Anthony Belsito and Michael Clarke as follows:

Those wishing to comment on any aspect of these proceedings will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the virtual public statement hearings. Any person wishing to provide a public statement at either hearing must register in advance of the hearing by no later than 4:30 P.M. Monday, October 26, 2020.

To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will login to a hearing electronically may register to do so by visiting www.webex.com by the date and time indicated above, clicking “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, inputting the appropriate event number, and providing all requested information.

On the day of the hearings at the appropriate time, participants should visit www.webex.com, click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and input the appropriate event number listed above. When asked to “select audio system,” it is recommended that participants choose to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers.

To register by phone: Any participant who is not able to login to a hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at the hearing must register to do so by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number.

On the appropriate date and time of the hearing, all call-in users should dial 518-549-0500 and enter the appropriate access code, listed above, to join the hearing.

All participants will be muted upon their entry into the hearing. The ALJs will call on each person who has requested to provide a statement to speak. The ALJs will continue the hearing until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all attendees an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.

To listen to the hearing: Any person who would like to listen to the hearing but not make a statement may access the hearing without registering. The hearings will be livestreamed on the internet and available for viewing on the Department of Public Service’s YouTube channel on the date and times listed above. To access the YouTube channel, visit the Department’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, and click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of the homepage. In addition, any person without internet access may listen to the hearings by phone by calling the phone access number, 518-549-0500 and entering the applicable access code.

Persons with disabilities 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 Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.

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. Comments should refer to “Case 20-E-0428 and Case 20-G-0429 – Central Hudson.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by November 10, 2020.

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search” and enter case number “20-E-0428” or “20-G-0429” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” located at the top right of the page; or send comments by email to the Secretary to the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov.

Alternatively, comments may be mailed to Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case number, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1- 800-335-2120. This number is set up to receive in-state calls 24-hours a day. These calls are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.