The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (Jamestown BPU) filed a petition with the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) seeking authority to exercise an electric franchise in the Town of Ellicott, Chautauqua County, New York.

In October 2014, the Jamestown BPU filed a petition seeking authority to exercise an electric franchise in the Town of Ellicott.  The Jamestown BPU is asking approval to extend service to a parcel of land near Howard Avenue, including the Colonial Apartment development. 

Public Statement Hearing

Jamestown BPU filed a petition with the Commission pursuant to Section 68 of the Public Service Law requesting permission to exercise the electric franchise granted by the Town of Ellicott. The Commission is seeking public comment on Jamestown BPU’s petition.  Interested members of the public are invited to attend and provide their comments regarding the petition and the electric main extension project.  Each session of the hearing will be preceded by an informal opportunity for the public to speak with staff of Department of Public Service regarding the Jamestown BPU’s petition and proposal.

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 hearing will be transcribed and become part of the Commission's formal record.  The 4:00 p.m. hearing session will remain open until 6:00 p.m.  The 7:00 p.m. session will adjourn no earlier than 8:00 p.m. and will remain open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made.

Please join us at the following location:

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may place a collect call to the DPS'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 to reach the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Office at the previously mentioned number.  If you have difficulty understanding English, please call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services.

Case Background

The Jamestown BPU’s service area includes the City of Jamestown and some additional areas within the Town of Ellicott, Chautauqua County.  On October 14, 2014, the Company filed a petition in accordance with Public Service Law §68 for Commission approval to exercise an electric franchise granted by the Town of Ellicott.  The Company supplemented the filing on December 20, 2014.

The franchise allows the Company to develop, maintain and operate a system to transmit electric service to a parcel of land (Howard Avenue Parcel) in the Town of Ellicott.  The Howard Avenue parcel lies outside of but contiguous to BPU’s service area. There is no existing service by any other electric service providers to this parcel.  The Town of Ellicott has approved this extension into its borders and will authorize the Jamestown BPU to serve the Howard Avenue parcel, including Colonial Apartments, under development at this location.

The Company asserts that approval of its franchise request is in the public interest and will allow Jamestown BPU to meet regulatory requirements for providing electric service to the Town of Ellicott.  Additional details are set forth in the petition which is available on the Commission’s Web site (go to (www.dps.ny.gov) click on “Search” and then search using case number “15-E-0002”).  The Commission may approve, approve with changes, or reject Jamestown BPU’s petition in whole or in part.

Methods for Commenting on the Case

All comments can be submitted at the public statement hearing held on January 28, 2014 or through the methods below:

• Via the Internet or In Writing:  Submit comments electronically to 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, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Comments may also be entered directly into the case by locating the case via the home page of the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by clicking on “Search,” and entering 15-E-0002 in the “Search by Case Number” field.  After clicking to open the case, enter comments in the “Post Comments” section located at the top of the page.
   
• 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 15-E-0002 Jamestown Electric Franchise.”

Comments submitted via these alternative means are requested by February 12, 2015.  Comments received by the Department will become part of the record considered by the Commission.

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