Virtual Public Statement Hearing Set Regarding Orleans County Solar Farm

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a virtual public statement hearing on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, concerning a petition filed on April 11, 2024, by Hemlock Ridge Solar, LLC pursuant to Section 68 of the Public Service Law (PSL) seeking lightened regulation as a wholesale electric generator, as well as a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Hemlock Ridge seeks authorization to construct and operate an up to 200-megawatt solar farm in the towns of Barre and Shelby in Orleans County.

Construction and operation of the project would be subject to the terms and conditions of the siting permit for a major renewable energy facility issued by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission or ORES on September 22, 2022. The scope of the Commission’s review of this petition will not duplicate the issues that were previously considered and decided by ORES.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a virtual public statement hearing will be held before Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) Leah Amyot and James Costello on:

DATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024

TIME: 1:00 p.m.

Electronic Access: www.webex.com

Event Number: 2335 537 4997

Password: Aug21-1pm

Phone-Only Access: 518-549-0500

Access Code: 2335 537 4997

Password: 28421017

Those wishing to comment on any aspect of this proceeding will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the virtual public statement hearing. Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record at the hearing must register to do so by 3:00 p.m. on August 20, 2024.

To register and participate electronically:

This option is for participants who would like to make a statement and who will log in to the hearing electronically. Such participants must pre-register before the date and time indicated above by visiting www.webex.com and clicking “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, entering the event number listed above, and providing all requested information.

When logging in on the date and time of the hearing, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require that participants enter their phone numbers.

To register and provide a statement by phone:

This option is for participants who would like to make a statement but who will not be logging into the hearing electronically. Such participants must pre-register before 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 name and last name, address, and phone number.

On the date and time of the hearing, call-in participants should dial 518-549-0500 and enter the access code listed above.

To listen to the hearing without making a statement:

Pre-registration is not required for those who want to listen to the hearing without making a comment on the record. To listen to the hearing by phone, call 518-549-0500 and enter the access code listed above.

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 comment at the public statement hearing, there are several other ways to provide your comments. All comments should refer to Case “24-E-0228,” and must be submitted no later than August 28, 2024.

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” located under the heading “Commission Files”, enter “24-E-0228” in the box labeled “Search by Case Number”, and then click on “Post Comments” at the top of the page.

Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the 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 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 comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a virtual procedural conference will be held immediately following the public statement hearing, as part of the same teleconference.

The principal purposes of the procedural conference are to identify any potential parties and provide interested persons an opportunity to present and explain any proposals regarding the procedures they believe should be followed in this case by the ALJs and Commission including, but not limited to, whether any issues of fact presented by the petition or public comments warrant an evidentiary hearing. Other procedural issues also may be addressed.

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