ITHACA, N.Y. — New York State Electric & Gas is seeking permission to increase gas and electric rates and local residents can share input on the company’s proposal at a public hearing Wednesday in Ithaca. The proposal would increase NYSEG’s delivery rates for electricity by about 23.7%, and about 1.9% for gas.
On average, total monthly residential electric bills could increase by about $10, and gas bills about $1, according to NYSEG projections.
A public information session is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14 in the Borg Warner Room of the Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St., Ithaca. Public comments will follow the information session at about 2 p.m.
NYSEG is proposing to increase its annual electric delivery revenues by about $156 million, according to documents filed with the Public Service Commission. Vegetation management and infrastructure investments are the biggest drivers for NYSEG’s electricity and gas rate increase, the company says. According to a filing by NYSEG in May, the proposed rates “facilitate the Companies’ transition to a cleaner energy future while allowing for important initiatives such as vegetation management, hardening/resiliency and emergency preparedness.”
According to filings with the Public Service Commission, NYSEG projects that total average monthly electric bills will increase by about $10.17, an increase of 23.7% on the delivery portion of the bill or 13.6% on the total bill. Total average residential monthly gas bills could increase an average of $1.05, the document says, an increase of 1.9% on the delivery portion of the bill or 0.9% on the total bill.
Under state law, the Public Service Commission may “adopt, reject, or modify” the company’s proposals, and administrative law judges will preside over the public statement hearings, the gathering of public comments, the evidentiary hearing, and all evidence related to the proposals.
Read the full notice related to the rate increase and public information sessions below. More information including testimony and exhibits is available at www.dps.ny.gov by searching “Case 19-E-0378” (NYSEG electric rates); “Case 19-G-0379 (NYSEG gas rates).”
For people who cannot make it to the public meeting Wednesday, there are several other ways to comment. Comments should refer to the case numbers listed above. Comments are requested by Aug. 26.
- Internet or email: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” enter the applicable case number (19-E0378, 19-G-0379) and then click the “Post Comments” button at the top of the page; or email comments to the Secretary for the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov.
- By mail or hand delivery: Comments can be mailed or delivered to Honorable Kathleen H. Burgess, secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.
- Toll-free opinion line: Commenters can call the opinion line at 1-800-335-2120.
NYSEG rate increase by Kelsey O’Connor on Scribd
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