A rate hearing, sort of
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- May
- 20
Want to comment in person on Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.’s, proposed rate hike for gas delivery? Now you can, courtesy of the Rockland County Town Supervisor’s Association.
As staff writer Laura Incalcaterra explained in an article Thursday that PSC would not hold a local public input session in Rockland for the O&R hike that would cost the average ratepayer nearly $145 a year. We have an editorial today that points out that skipping personal face-to-face testimony before an administrative judge seems like an odd choice for an agency with a title that starts with “Public Service.”
Now, the Supervisor’s Association has announced it will hold a public forum on the rate hike request at 7:45 p.m. June 15 at Orangetown Town Hall. Members of the public are invited to testify and representatives of O&R are invited to answer any questions. A transcript of the testimony will be provided to O&R and PSC.
Is this the equivalent of a PSC local hearing? Nope. The administrative law judge deciding the rate case won’t be present, which is what many said was needed to help convey the emotions and opinions of those giving testimony.
And, it must be noted that Orangetown Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner, a Democrat, is running for County Executive. He’s the chair of the Town Supervisors Association, so of course, this makes sense for the organization would provide such a forum, and that the head of the group would play host. But, the political tone should be noted (and yes, all five town supervisors in Rockland are Democrats.)
So, do those two factors negate the hearing? Not in the least. It’s still the best option Rocklanders are going to get for providing local, in-person commentary on O&R’s proposed rate hike. And that has real value.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 at 2:09 pm by Nancy Cutler.
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Well, thank you for pointing out the truth. It should also be noted that Mr. Vanderhoef, who intervened in court on behalf of Rockland tax and rate-payers, was not invited to the “hearing.”
I do not see Vanderhoef’s comments listed on the PSC Web site (http://documents.dps.state.ny.us/public/MatterManagement/CaseMaster.aspx?MatterCaseNo=08-G-1398&submit=Search+for+Case%2FMatter+Number), nor is he listed with them as an intervenor on this gas hike rate case. I’d like to see his comments—they would be very helpful to get a big picture on the O&R request. It would be great if more elected officials sound off on these issues, don’t you think?
As for the hearing, he sure could go. It’s open to the public.
It’s under the County of Rockland.
And yes, he could go, but it’s awfully nice to be invited, don’t you think?
I did not see it on PSC web site. Could you send link?
And, it’s always nice to be invited, but i figure if the public is invited, I am, too. I guess the county executive and the rest of us would be, as well.
UPDATE: Documents provided by the County Executive’s Office, dated April 21, 2008, pertain last year’s O&R electricity rate increase. In that case, Vanderhoef refused to sign the rate case settlement agreement, saying he did not agree with it. County government participated with PSC on that rate hike request.
The current hearing addresses gas delivery rates.
I would hope every public official would attend the Orangetown Town Hall meeting at 7:45 p.m. June 15 and weigh in on the O&R gas rate hike.
Nancy