LIPA'S Operations and Management Under Review

ALBANY, NY (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) announced today it is seeking public comments concerning the operations and management of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) prior to conducting an audit required under the Long Island Power Authority Oversight and Accountability Act.

Members of the public are invited to attend public information forums to learn more about the management and operations audit process from DPS staff, as well as provide comments about LIPA's operations and management before an Administrative Law Judge at public statement hearings.

The public information forums and public statement hearings are to be held at the following locations on:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012

Nassau County Legislative Building

First Floor – Legislative Chamber

1550 Franklin Avenue

Mineola, NY

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Public Information Forum (DPS Audit Process)

2:00 p.m. Public Statement Hearing (Comments/LIPA's Operations & Management)

6:30 p.m.–7:15 p.m. Public Information Forum (DPS Audit Process)

7:30 p.m. Public Statement Hearing (Comments/LIPA's Operations & Management)

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Suffolk County Community College

Grant Campus – Health, Sports & Education Center

Lecture Hall MD 105

502 Wick Road

Brentwood, NY

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Public Information Forum (DPS Audit Process)

2:00 p.m. Public Statement Hearing (Comments/LIPA's Operations & Management)

6:30 p.m.–7:15 p.m. Public Information Forum (DPS Audit Process)

7:30 p.m. Public Statement Hearing (Comments/LIPA's Operations & Management)

Public Statement Hearings

It is not necessary to be present at the start of the hearing or to make an appointment in advance in order to speak. Persons interested in speaking will be asked to complete a card requesting time to speak when they arrive at the hearings. Speakers are not required to provide written copies of their comments.

The public statement hearings will be kept open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record of the case. A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made for inclusion in the record.

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Department of Public Service's Human Resource Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. 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 aforementioned telephone number.

Other Ways to Comment

In addition to the public statement hearings, comments may be sent electronically to Honorable Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or mailed or delivered to Secretary Brilling at the Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Comments should refer to "Matter No. 12-00314 – LIPA Management & Operations Audit."

Toll-free Opinion Line –You may call the Commission's Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Caller should select and press "1" to leave comments about Matter No. 12-00314 – LIPA Management & Operations Audit."

Internet – Comments may also be made via the "PSC Comment Form," in the "Consumer Assistance" file accessed through the Commission's www.dps.ny.gov Web site or via the "Contact Us" link at www.ASKPSC.com. Many libraries offer free Internet access.

All comments should be provided to the Department of Public Service by no later than Friday, March 9, 2012.

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