New York State Public Service Commission Virtual Public Hearing on Champlain Hudson Power Express
- When:
- February 15, 2022: 1:00PM to 3:00PM
- Where:
- Online via Webex
- To Attend:
- Registration Information Below
Virtual Public Hearing on Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE)
The public has an opportunity to comment on a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity the developers of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE). CHPE is a proposed transmission line that would supply electricity generated by damaging hydroelectric dams in Canada to New York City via a cable installed in the bed of the Hudson River. Riverkeeper opposes the project based on the climate, ecological and environmental justice impacts of the source of electricity (greenhouse gas emissions from the dammed rivers, destruction of free-flowing rivers, and taking and poisoning of indigenous lands) and on its impacts on the Hudson River.
Prior to beginning construction on the project, CHPE must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC). According to the PSC, the certificate is meant to ensure that the company is “properly registered to do business in New York State, that it has received the consent of appropriate municipalities to proceed with the project, and that it is financially capable of doing so.” PSC asks that “comments should pertain to CHPE’s ability and readiness to commence construction of the project.”
To provide verbal comments:
1. Register by 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14. To register, call 1-800-342-3330, and follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number.
Attend the virtual PSC public hearing Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. via http://www.webex.com
2. Click “join” at the top-right hand corner of the screen and input the event number. The PSC recommends that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Michael Clarke will call on registered participants to comment.
Event Number: 2338 109 5539
Password: Feb15-1pm
Phone-Only Access: (518)549-0500
Access Code: 2338 109 5539
To listen to the hearing, without providing testimony:
Use the same call-in information above, or watch a livestream at the PSC’s YouTube channel.
Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources 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. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.
To provide written comments, alone or paired with verbal testimony:
Address comments to Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission. Comments should refer to Case “21-E-0425.”
Submit comments one of three ways:
- By email to [email protected].
- Go to http://www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search” and enter “21-E-0425” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” at the top right of the page.
- By mail to Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.
Note that the PSC has already “determined that the project would serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity” and granted a conditional Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need, authorizing the construction, maintenance and operation of the CHPE transmission line. The PSC is also currently considering granting massive public subsidies to the project’s developers as part of New York State’s Tier 4 renewable energy credit program. Read Riverkeeper’s letter opposing that subsidy here.
Learn more about the Champlain Hudson Power Express on our campaign page: https://www.riverkeeper.org/chpe
