PSC Seeking Public Comment on Joint Proposal

The New York State Public Service Commission seeks public comments on the Joint Proposal regarding Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid for Electric and Gas Service.  Opportunities to comment include public statement hearings, which will be held before an Administrative Law Judge.

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 card.

Comments received via alternative measures, together with all statements transcribed at the public statement hearings, will become part of the record, will be posted for public viewing on the Commission’s website at www.dps.ny.gov, and will be reported to the Commission for its consideration.  The hearings will remain open and will continue 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 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.

Public Statement Hearings

Schenectady:  Tuesday, January 8, 2013

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m. -  8:00 p.m.

Schenectady County
Public Library - McChesney Room
99 Clinton Street

Syracuse:  Thursday, January 10, 2013

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Fowler High School
227 Magnolia Street
(Faces Geddes Street)

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Onondaga Community College
Whitney 210
4835 West Seneca Turnpike

Cheektowaga:  Thursday, January 24, 2013

2:00 p.m. -  4:00 p.m.

Cheektowaga Town Hall
3301 Broadway Street

Williamsville:  Thursday, January 24, 2013

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Amherst Municipal Building
5583 Main Street

Background

On April 27, 2012, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid formally asked the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) to approve increases in revenues (the total amount of money collected from customers through the rates they pay) for electric and natural gas delivery service.

On December 7, 2012 a Joint Proposal was filed by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid, Department of Public Service Staff, Multiple Intervenors (the Utility Intervention Unit of the New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, United States Department of Defense, the Retail Energy Supply Association, and the New York Power Authority) proposing terms to resolve contested issues, including a rate plan starting April 1, 2013 and continuing through March 31, 2016.

The Commission is scheduled to consider this case in March 2013. It may adopt or reject the Joint Proposal in whole or in part. Administrative Law Judges are presiding over the gathering of public comment and all evidence relating to the proposal.

Summary of Rate Case

In its initial filing, National Grid requested to increase its electric delivery revenues by $145.4 million, or 5.6% of total electric bills. The net result of the Company’s proposal, accounting for the already-scheduled expiration of a $190 million surcharge, would be a 1.7% decrease in total electric bills. The Company also proposed an increase in gas delivery rates of $29 million, or 4.8% of total gas bills. Accounting for the return to customers of various credits, the net result would be a 2.4% increase in total gas bills.

Summary of Joint Proposal

Following an investigation by the Commission’s Staff as well as other parties, a Joint Proposal was submitted to the Commission by Staff, National Grid, and other parties.

Under the Joint Proposal, rates would be established for a three-year period. Taking into account the expiring surcharge and the return of certain customer credits, the effect of the Joint Proposal on total electric bills would be a reduction of 6.2% in the first year, followed by an increase of 1.9% in each of the next two years. Bill impacts will vary among customer classes and among individual customers, depending on usage. The base revenue requirement would increase by $43.395 million in year one, followed by increases of $51.361 million and $28.342 million in years two and three, respectively.

The effect of the Joint Proposal on total gas bills would be a reduction of 4.3% in the first year, followed by increases of 2.9% in each of the next two years. Bill impacts will vary among customer classes and among individual customers, depending on usage. The monthly discount available to low-income customers would increase from $7.50 to $10.00. The base revenue requirement would decrease by $3.290 million in year one, followed by increases of $5.854 million and $6.268 million in years two and three, respectively.

How to Comment on the Case

The Commission seeks public comments concerning the Joint Proposal. Interested members of the public may comment as noted below. Your comments should refer to "Case 12-E-0201 and 12-G-0202 – Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid – Electric and Gas Rates."

Via the Internet or In Writing:  Those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing may comment electronically to Jeffrey C. Cohen, Acting Secretary, at [email protected] or by mail or delivery to Acting Secretary Cohen at Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Comments may also be entered directly into the case by locating the case/s via the home page of the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search” and entering comments in the “Post Comments” located at the top of the page

Toll-Free Opinion Line: Another way to submit comments is 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 regarding “Electric and Gas Issues”.

In order to ensure consideration prior to the Commission's vote, comments should be submitted by February 17, 2013.  All such comments, together with all statements transcribed at the public statement hearings, will become part of the record, will be posted for public viewing on the Commission’s website at www.dps.ny.gov, and will be reported to the Commission for its consideration.

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