PSC seeks public comment on RG&E improvements

The New York State Public Service Commission is seeking public comment on an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) filed by the Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) for the construction or reconstruction of various improvements to its 115 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission system in the Greater Rochester area. The vast majority of the improvements would take place in existing rights-of-way, according to a press release.

Under New York State Public Service Law, the Commission may adopt, amend, or reject any of RG&E's proposals, or may reject the application in favor of a solution not proposed by any party. Four public statement hearings are scheduled to gather comments to be held as follows:

• Monday, March 15, 2 and 6:30 p.m., Greece Community Conference Room, Section A & B, First Floor, Greece Town Hall, 1 Vince Tofany Boulevard, Greece.
• Tuesday, March 16, 2 and 6:30 p.m., Meeting Room, Ontario Firemen's Exempt Hall, 1840 Route 104, Ontario.

Speakers will be called after completing a card requesting time to speak at the hearings. It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak. All comments, oral and written, will be considered in the Commission's review process. Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Compliance Officer at 518-473-8869 (or, for a sign language interpreter, call 212-290-4292 as soon as possible.

RG&E's application seeks authority to construct or reconstruct transmission lines and substations on the east and west sides of the Greater Rochester area. General descriptions of the company's proposals on the westside of the city include:

• construct a new 115 kV line connecting existing substation 48 in the City of Rochester and substation 7 (to be rebuilt) in the Town of Greece, Monroe County. This new 7.5 mile single-circuit transmission line would be located within an existing electric transmission corridor, which is also occupied by active railroad lines along the southern portion and an abandoned railroad line along the northern portion.
• rebuild approximately 22.8 miles of existing overhead 115 kV lines and to install approximately 2.0 miles of new underground cable within existing transmission corridors in the Towns of Henrietta, Brighton, Chili, Gates and the City of Rochester.

Other proposed improvements on the west side include equipment upgrades and additions at five existing substations on the 115 kV system: substation 80 in the Town of Henrietta; substation 82 in the Town of Brighton; substation 67 in the Town of Chili; substation 48 in the City of Rochester; and substation 7 in the Town of Greece.

Persons not wishing to speak at the public statement hearings, or who are unable to attend the hearings, can comment on RG&E's proposal to upgrade its electric system (in English or Spanish) by mailing their written statements to the Honorable Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, New York State Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. These letters should reference "Case-03-T-1385/RG&E's Application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to Construct and Operate Various Improvements to its 115kV Electric Transmission System" and should be mailed in as soon as possible.

RG&E's application may be viewed at the following locations in the area:

• Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604-1896.
• Chili Public Library, 3333 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624
• Greece Public Library, Two Vince Tofany Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14616
• Gates Public Library, 1605 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624