Summary of Case 11-T-0534:  Application of Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of the "Rochester Area Reliability Project," in the City of Rochester and the Towns of Chili, Gates and Henrietta in Monroe County.

PSC Seeking Public Comment
The New York State Public Service Commission will hold two public statement hearings, each preceded by a Public Information Session regarding Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation’s (RG&E) application to construct the "Rochester Area Reliability Project," specifically regarding alternative locations for a proposed new substation and associated transmission lines.

At the Public Information Sessions a representative of the Department of Public Service Staff will provide general information about the proceeding and RG&E will be available to answer questions about the proposed alternatives. At the Public Statement Hearings, members of the public may present their comments before an Administrative Law Judge.  It is not necessary to be present at the start of the public statement hearing, or 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.  The hearings 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 call 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.

All statements transcribed at the public statement hearing and all other comments received by the Commission will become part of the record, and will be reported to the Commission for its consideration.  All such comments will be posted for public viewing on the Commission’s website, at www.dps.ny.gov.

Public Statement Hearings and Public Information Sessions

Thursday, May 15, 2014
Chili Town Hall
3333 Chili Avenue
Rochester, New York 14624
 
3:00 p.m. Public Information Session
4:00 p.m. Public Statement Hearing
  
6:00 p.m. Public Information Session
7:00 p.m. Public Statement Hearing

Summary of Company’s Request
In September 2011, RG&E filed an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the construction of the “Rochester Area Reliability Project.”  The project includes the proposed development of a new substation (Station 255) in the Town of Chili and the construction of approximately 23.6 miles of 115 kiloVolt (kV) transmission line to connect Station 255 with existing substations in the Town of Gates (circuit 940) and the City of Rochester (circuit 941).  The project also includes the construction of 1.9 miles of new 345 kV transmission line (circuit 40) to connect Station 255 with a substation in the Town of Henrietta and equipment upgrades of several existing substations in Monroe County, and equipment upgrades at two substations in Niagara County.  The proposed routes for the circuits are primarily within and along existing transmission and railroad corridors.  The construction of the Rochester Area Reliability Project is intended to provide for new sources of electric generation for the RG&E system to allow for the loss of other sources.  It will also help relieve loading on existing 115kV lines.

In April 2013 the Public Service Commission granted the Certificate for the construction of the “Rochester Area Reliability Project.” However, in November 2013 the Commission reopened the record of this proceeding based on objections by landowners affected by the siting decision.  The landowners argued that the project, as certified, would have excessive impacts on agricultural resources.  The purpose of reopening the record was to consider whether there were alternatives that would have less agricultural and environmental impact.  

The relevant portions of the project for which public comment is being requested by the Commission are a new substation (Station 255) and associated transmission lines (circuits 940 and 941).  The Administrative Law Judge has determined that two of the many alternative sites suggested by parties might be more favorable to the public interest than the currently certified site.  Generally, the two alternative sites for Station 255, referred to as Alternatives 9 and 20, each would be on approximately 12 acres of commercial and/or other non-agricultural land in the Town of Henrietta.  The proposed route of circuits 940 and 941 from Alternative Sites 9 and 20 in the Town of Henrietta would run north and then west from those sites approximately 2.16 miles and 2.39 miles respectively, through the towns of Henrietta and Chili, where they meet the Rochester & Southern Railroad right-of-way.

A precise description of these sites and routes, with maps, was mailed by RG&E to potentially affected municipalities and landowners in March 2014.  Detailed information and maps will be available at the Public Statement Hearings, and RG&E will answer questions about the specifics of the proposed sites and routes. The maps will also be available on the Commission’s web site information section related to the case.

Other Methods for Commenting on the Case
• Via the Internet or In Writing:  Those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing may comment by e mail, mail or delivery addressed to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary.  The e-mail address is [email protected].  The address for mail or delivery is Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Comments should refer to "Case 11 T-0534 Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation – Article VII.”  Many libraries offer free internet service.

• 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” and select the choice for water to leave comments about Case 11 T-0534. These calls are not transcribed but a summary is provided to the administrative law judge who will report to the Commission.

All comments provided through these alternative methods will become part of the record and be reported to the Commission for its consideration.  Submitted comments may be accessed on the Commission’s web site.  Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation’s application for the proposed transmission facility and other filings in this case can be viewed on the Commission’s web site and at the following local libraries:

Chili Public Library    
3333 Chili Avenue    
Rochester, New York  14624 
  
Henrietta Public Library   
455 Calkins Road    
Henrietta, New York  14623

Click here for a copy of the fact sheet.

Click here to link to historical information about the case.