PSC Seeks Public Input At July 6-7 Hearings

ALBANY, NY (07/05/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold public statement hearings to take comments on improving National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation's (NFG) Conservation Incentive Program.

NFG's Conservation Incentive Program provides rebates to residential and non-residential customers who purchase and install energy efficient equipment and also offers assistance to low income customers through a Low Income Usage Reduction Program. The program was renewed, with modifications, for a fourth year-December 2010 through November 2011.

The Commission was petitioned by People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH) and the National Fuel Accountability Coalition to hold public statement hearings on proposals regarding the NFG program. The public statement hearings will be held as follows:

Buffalo

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

3:00pm and 7:00pm

Buffalo and Erie County Central Library

1 Lafayette Square

Library Auditorium *

Buffalo, New York 14203

*Auditorium entrance is on Clinton Street, at the Northwest corner of the Clinton and Ellicott Street intersection.

Cheektowaga

Thursday, July 7, 2011

2:00pm

Cheektowaga Town Hall

Town Council Chambers

3301 Broadway

Cheektowaga, New York 14227

Amherst

Thursday, July 7, 2011

7:00pm

Amherst Municipal Building

Town Council Chambers

5583 Main Street

Williamsville, New York 14221

Public Statement Hearings

The public will have an opportunity to present comments at the hearings before an Administrative Law Judge. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of this proceeding in both case files.

It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearings. Speakers will be called after completing a card requesting time to speak.

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may place a collect call to 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 previously mentioned number.

Other Ways to Comment

In addition to the formal hearings, comments may be sent electronically to Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, at secretary@dps.state.ny.us, or mailed or delivered to Secretary Brilling at the New York State Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Comments should refer to "Case 07-G-0141 – Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules and Regulations of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation for Gas Service – Conservation Incentive Program, and Case 07-M-0548 – Proceeding on Motion of the Commission Regarding an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard."

Toll-free Opinion Line: Comments may also be submitted through the Commission's Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is designed to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Callers should select English or Spanish and press "1" to leave comments about the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation's Conservation Incentive Program.

The Internet: Comments may also be submitted via the "PSC Comment Form" in the "Consumer Assistance" file accessed through the Commission's Web site at www.dps.state.ny.us or via the "Contact Us" link at http://www.AskPSC.com. Many libraries offer free Internet access.

Comments should be submitted or mailed and postmarked by July 21, 2011. Comments received by the Commission will be placed in the public case file and may be accessed on the Department's www.dps.state.ny.us Web site by searching Case 07-G-0141 or 07-M-0548.

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