Postponement of a Rate Increase
NY-ADR
4/15/20 N.Y. St. Reg. PSC-15-20-00002-EP
NEW YORK STATE REGISTER
VOLUME XLII, ISSUE 15
April 15, 2020
RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
EMERGENCY/PROPOSED RULE MAKING
NO HEARING(S) SCHEDULED
I.D No. PSC-15-20-00002-EP
Filing Date. Mar. 25, 2020
Effective Date. Mar. 25, 2020
Postponement of a Rate Increase
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following action:
Proposed Action:
The Commission adopted an order on March 25, 2020 postponing Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid’s approved gas delivery rate increases, scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2020.
Statutory authority:
Public Service Law, sections 5(1), 65(1) and 66(12)
Finding of necessity for emergency rule:
Preservation of general welfare.
Specific reasons underlying the finding of necessity:
Governor Andrew Cuomo, on March 7, 2020, declared a state of emergency due to the unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is now spreading rapidly throughout the state and country. The declaration, while necessary to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public, has inevitably resulted in the temporary closure of many businesses and schools across the state. Given the potential for widespread financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Niagara Mohawk seeks Commission approval to, among other things, postpone its approved gas delivery rate increases, scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2020. Absent immediate Commission action, the approved rate increase would go into effect. In order to help alleviate the financial hardships customers may face, this action cannot wait for the 60 day comment period to expire.
Subject:
Postponement of a rate increase.
Purpose:
To assist customers in a time of hardship.
Substance of emergency/proposed rule:
The Public Service Commission is considering a petition filed on March 25, 2020 by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid (Niagara Mohawk), The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY (KEDNY) and KeySpan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid (KEDLI) (collectively, National Grid or the Companies).
Given the potential for widespread financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to assist customers, the petition requests a three-month postponement for Niagara Mohawk’s approved gas delivery rate increases, scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2020, pursuant to its current three-year rate plan; and temporarily suspending Niagara Mohawk’s tariff fees associated with certain suspended collections-related activities and non-essential services.
The full record of the proceeding may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service web page: www.dps.ny.gov. The Commission may adopt, reject or modify, in whole or in part, the action proposed and may resolve related matters.
This notice is intended:
to serve as both a notice of emergency adoption and a notice of proposed rule making. The emergency rule will expire June 22, 2020.
Text of rule may be obtained from:
John Pitucci, Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350, (518) 486-2655, email: [email protected].
Data, views or arguments may be submitted to:
Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Department of Public Service, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350, (518) 474-6530, email: [email protected].
Public comment will be received until:
60 days after publication of this notice.
Regulatory Impact Statement, Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, Rural Area Flexibility Analysis and Job Impact Statement
Statements and analyses are not submitted with this notice because the amended rule is within the definition contained in section 102(2)(a)(ii) of the State Administrative Procedure Act.
(17-G-0239EP4)
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