MORNING NEWS: PSC Schedules Public Hearing on July 15 for NRG Upgrade Project

Senator Catherine Young (R-Olean)

DUNKIRK – Senator Catharine Young say the new york state public service commission will hold a public hearing at SUNY Fredonia about the competing NRG and National Grid proposals currently under review by the Public Service Commission.

Senator Young, who has been leading the fight to save the NRG plant, announced that the PSC has responded positively to her request to hold a local public hearing.  The event is scheduled at SUNY Fredonia’s Williams Center Multi-Purpose Room on Monday, July 15.

Presentations by National Grid and NRG with a question and answer period will be given from 6 to 7 p.m., and the hearing will begin at 7 p.m.  An administrative law judge will preside over the hearing, and people from the audience will be allowed to testify.

According to senator young, The future of the NRG power plant holds profound consequences for the community.  It is the largest taxpayer in Chautauqua County, and the school and city receive an enormous share of their budgets from the NRG PILOT payment.

Because public comments and input from those affected will weigh heavily on the PSC’s decision-making, Senator Young is encouraging all concerned citizens to attend the public forum and submit their comments via mail or online by following a  link at the senator’s website.

Letters can be brought to and submitted at the forum or mailed to:

Any letter submitted via mail should be sure to reference Case #12-E-0577.

The agency started a 45-day public comment period beginning on June 12 and ending on July 26.  The PSC is expected to make its final decision in August or September.