ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced it was seeking public comment on the Department of Public Service staff's proposal for preserving zero-emissions attributes as called for in the Commission’s Clean Energy Standard proceeding.

Staff’s proposal in the Clean Energy Standard proceeding regarding how best to preserve the critically important zero emission attributes of our upstate nuclear fleet reflects careful consideration of the many public comments received as well as the Commission’s previous determinations. Staff’s proposal values the zero-emissions attributes of the upstate fleet based on a Commission-approved approach for valuing the societal value of carbon. Staff estimates that investing $965 million in the first two years of the program for the carbon value of the nuclear units, electric customers and the State will realize $5 billion in benefits.

Written comments on the staff’s proposal are due July 18, 2016. The comments that are received will be used to help the Commission in making its final determinations.

Staff’s proposal may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 15-E-0302 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.