In February 2015, Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) filed a request with the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) seeking approval of an agreement between RG&E and R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, LLC (GNPP) for continued operation of the Ginna Facility located in the Town of Ontario, Wayne County.  RG&E is proposing changes to its tariff that would allow the Company to recover costs associated with the continued operation of the power plant from RG&E’s customers.  The costs would be recovered through a surcharge mechanism.

Public Statement Hearings

The Commission will hold four public statement hearings to seek public comment on the Proposal. Interested members of the public are invited to attend and provide their comments. Please join us at the following locations:

It is not necessary to be present at the start of the hearings, or make an appointment in advance, or present written material in order to speak at the hearings. All comments given at the hearings will be transcribed and become part of the Commission's formal record. The 4:00 p.m. hearings will adjourn no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and the 7:00 p.m. hearings will continue until at least 8:00 p.m. The hearings will remain open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made.

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may place a collect call to the Department of Public Service’s (DPS) Human Resources Management Office at 518-474-2520. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711 to reach the DPS’s Human Resources Office at the previously mentioned number. If you have difficulty understanding English, please call the DPS at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services.

Description of RG&E's Proposal

In a November 2014 Order, the Commission found that the continued operation of the R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant is necessary to preserve the reliability of the electric system in the RG&E service territory. The Commission directed RG&E to enter into negotiations with the GNPP for a Reliability Support Services Agreement (RSSA) to keep the Ginna facility operating. RG&E’s February filing was in response to the Commission’s directive.

Under the terms of the agreement, GNPP would continue to operate the Ginna facility in return for monthly payments from RG&E of $17.5 million, less the value of certain revenues received by GNPP through the sale of energy, capacity, and ancillary services. The term of the agreement would run from April 1, 2015 through September 30, 2018. The term of the RSSA may be extended if continued operation of the Ginna facility is needed for reliability of the electric system.

Although the term of the agreement begins on April 1, 2015, RG&E will only begin making payments after the RSSA has received necessary government approvals. If the RSSA is approved, then RG&E will be required to pay, in addition to the monthly payment of $17.5 million, an amount equal to what would have been owed during the period from April 1, 2015 to the date of the approval, with interest.

Over the life of the agreement, RG&E estimates that the average residential customer using 600 kWh per month will incur an approximate 4.2% increase ($3.89 a month) on its overall electric bill. The actual increase will vary monthly depending on timing of the required governmental approvals, and the market price of energy supply and capacity.

How to Participate in the Case

The RG&E’s filing and other materials pertaining to this case can be obtained from the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search” on the homepage and entering “14-E-0270” in the “Search by Case Number” field.

In addition to attending the hearings, comments can be provided to the Commission using the following methods:

• Via the Internet or In Writing: Public comments may be submitted electronically to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, at [email protected], or by mail or delivery to, Secretary Burgess at the Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, and Albany, New York 12223-1350. Comments should refer to “Case 14-E-0270.”
  
  Comments may also be entered directly at the webpage for case 14-E-0270. In the open case, select the “Post Comments” tab located at the top of the page. Many libraries offer free internet service.
  
  
• TollFree Opinion Line: Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s toll-free Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This line is set up to receive comments on pending cases from in-state callers, 24-hours a day. These calls are not transcribed but a summary is provided to the administrative law judges who will report to the Commission. Callers should press “1” to leave comments and should refer to “Case 14-E-0270”.

For a printable version of the fact sheet click here.