The New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG or the Company) filed a petition with the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) seeking authority to exercise a natural gas franchise in the Town of North Salem, Westchester County. 

In March, 2014, the Town of North Salem granted NYSEG a franchise to construct a transmission system, using the Town’s roadways, streets, lanes and other public places, for the purpose of furnishing, selling and distributing gas for light, heat and power in the Town.  Under the franchise, NYSEG proposes to install approximately 6,100 feet of 4-inch and 2-inch plastic pipe to extend gas service to new customers, including North Salem Central High/Middle School and Bridleside Housing Development.

Public Statement Hearings

NYSEG filed a petition with the Commission for permission to exercise the franchise granted by the Town. The Commission will hold two public statement hearings to seek public comment on NYSEG’s petition.  Interested members of the public are invited to attend and provide their comments regarding the franchise petition and the proposed gas main extension project. 

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 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

On May 23, 2014, NYSEG filed a petition in accordance with Public Service Law §68 for approval to exercise a gas franchise granted by the Town of North Salem in Westchester County, New York.  The franchise allows the Company to develop, maintain and operate a system to transmit gas through, along, across and under the Town’s highways, streets, lanes and other public places for the purpose of furnishing, selling and distributing artificial or natural gas.  NYSEG will also provide space and facilities in or near its trenches for other services rendered to the public, including telecommunications.

NYSEG proposes to extend its existing gas main to provide service to new customers within the franchise area, including Bridleside Housing Development and North Salem Central High/Middle School.  The Company anticipates connecting new piping to an existing pipe at the intersection of North Salem Road and Fields Lane.  Approximately 3,500 feet of 4” piping will be installed along North Salem Road in the Town of Southeast, Putnam County and 1,300 feet of 4” inch and 1,250 feet of 2” piping will be placed on the south side of County Highway 310/June Road.  NYSEG anticipates providing service to multiple residences, a commercial customer and a municipal customer located along the proposed extension route within the next five years.

The Company asserts that approval of its franchise request is in the public interest and will allow NYSEG to meet regulatory requirements for providing gas service to the Town of North Salem.  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 “14-G-0197”). The Commission may approve, approve with changes, or reject NYSEG’s petition in whole or in part.

Methods for Commenting on the Case

All comments can be submitted at the public statement hearing listed above 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 14-G-0197 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 14-G-0197 North Salem Gas Franchise.”

Comments submitted via these alternatives are requested by August 1, 2014.

Click here for a printable version of our fact sheet.