**PSC Seeking Public Comment on Repowering of Dunkirk Generating Facility**

The NYS Public Service Commission (Commission) seeks public comments on whether the coal-fired Dunkirk generating station in Chautauqua County, New York should be repowered or National Grid should be directed to implement transmission solutions to help ensure electric system reliability. 

Opportunities to comment include a public statement hearing, which will be held before an Administrative Law Judge. Prior to the hearing, a one-hour informational forum will be held which will feature a summary of the proceedings to date and an overview of the PSC’s decisional process, as well as brief presentations by the operator of the Dunkirk generating station and National Grid on their respective proposals.  There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers.

It is not necessary to be present at the start of the hearing, to make an appointment in advance, or to present written material in order to speak at the hearing. Persons will be called to speak after completing a request. The hearing will remain open and will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made. A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made for inclusion in the record.

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may place a collect call to the Department of Public Service's 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. 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 fact sheet.

Case Background

In October 2012, the New York State Energy Highway Task Force recommended to Governor Cuomo that electric utilities be required to analyze repowering as an alternative to transmission system upgrades when a facility needed for reliability proposes to retire. The PSC has noted in other proceedings that careful planning for generator retirements is important for the maintenance of reliability at reasonable cost.

On January 18, 2013 the Commission issued an Order instituting a proceeding and requiring evaluation of generation repowering.  The Order:

• Recognizes that the New York State Energy Highway Task Force Blueprint noted reliability concerns with the potential retirement of the Dunkirk coal plant and identified it as a potential candidate for repowering;
• Directed National Grid to file the cost of transmission upgrades needed to maintain reliability, and solicit bids from the current owners of the Dunkirk plant for the cost of out-of-market support needed to repower their plants at least at the minimum capacities needed to maintain reliability; and
• Directed National Grid to evaluate all alternatives in terms of reliability and impacts on ratepayer costs, the environment, the economy, electric market competitiveness and any other relevant factors – and file its recommendations.

National Grid has provided that requested information to the PSC.  These filings are now being reviewed by Staff of the Department of Public Service.  The PSC is expected to determine whether the Dunkirk plant should be repowered, or if the transmission alternatives proposed by National Grid should be adopted.  

Other Methods for Commenting on the Case

• Via the Internet or In Writing:  Those who cannot or do not wish to attend a public statement hearing may submit comments electronically to Hon. Jeffrey C. Cohen, Acting Secretary, at [email protected] or by mail or delivery to Acting Secretary Cohen at the Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Comments may also be entered directly into the case file via the electronic comment form for Case 12-E-0577 found on the Commission’s website.  

• Toll-Free 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 in-state calls 24-hours a day.  Callers should press “1” to leave comments about “Case 12-E-0577 - Repowering Alternatives to Utility Transmission Reinforcements in the villages of Cayuga and Dunkirk.”

In order to ensure consideration prior to the Commission's vote, comments should be submitted, via any means described above, by August 16, 2013.

For more information, or a copy of the fact sheet click here.