National Grid Black River Virtual Public Statement Hearings

Information Forums followed by virtual public statement hearings will be held as follows:

DATE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 
TIME: 2:00 p.m.

Register for the 2:00pm Hearing

Electronic Access: meetny-gov.webex.com 
Access Code: 2822 929 6284 
Password: Dec10-2pm

Phone-Only Access: 1-929-251-9612 
Access Code: 2822 929 6284 
Password: 33210027

DATE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 
TIME: 6:00 p.m.

Register for the 6:00pm Hearing

Electronic Access: meetny-gov.webex.com 
Access Code: 2822 732 7651 
Password: Dec10-6pm

Phone-Only Access: 1-929-251-9612 
Access Code: 2822 732 7651 
Password: 33210067

Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record during the virtual public statement hearings must register to do so by Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in accordance with the instructions set forth below. No registration is necessary for the information forums. 

To register and provide a statement electronically: 

Participants who would like to provide a statement and who will log in to a hearing electronically must register by the date indicated above by clicking the “Register” button, and providing all requested information. After registration is complete, registrants will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the hearing. 

On the hearing date and at the relevant hearing time, when logging in to participate virtually, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants select “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers. 

To register and provide a statement by phone: 

This option is for participants who cannot log in to a virtual hearing electronically. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at a virtual hearing must register to do so by the date indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, following the prompts to the appropriate hearing, and then providing the following information: first name and last name, address, and phone number. 

On the hearing date and at the relevant hearing time, dial 1-929-251-9612 and enter the appropriate access code and phone-in password, listed above. 

All participants will be muted upon entry into the virtual public statement hearing. The ALJ will call upon each person who has registered to make a statement and will continue each hearing until everyone who has registered to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements to submit comments into the record have been made. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all attendees an opportunity to be heard. It is requested that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. 

To listen to the virtual hearings without commenting: 

Any interested person may listen to the virtual information forums and hearings by phone by calling 1-929-251- 9612 and entering the appropriate access code and phone-in password, listed above. Persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations should call the Department’s Human Resources Management Office at 1-518-473-9463 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Persons with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 or email [email protected] for free language assistance services regarding this Notice. To request a translator or sign language interpreter so that you can participate at a specific public statement hearing, please contact the Department at least 10 days before the hearing by calling 1-800-342-3377 or emailing your request to [email protected].

Read the Notice

Case 25-T-0195 - Petition of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need, Pursuant to Article VII, for the Reconstruction of Approximately 27.44 Miles of 115kV Transmission Line from the Existing Black River Substation in the Town of LeRay, Jefferson County, to the New Beaver River Substation in the Town of Croghan, Lewis County, Traversing the Towns of LeRay, Rutland, Champion, and Wilna, the Villages of Black River and Carthage in Jefferson County, and the Town of Croghan in Lewis County.

On March 28, 2025, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid (the Applicant) filed an application pursuant to Public Service Law Article VII for a certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need seeking authorization to construct, operate, and maintain the Black River – Beaver River 115 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Rebuild Project (the Project). The Project involves rebuilding about 27.44 miles of 115 kV transmission lines between the existing Black River Substation in the Town of LeRay, Jefferson County, and the new Beaver River Substation in the Town of Croghan, Lewis County. (The construction of the new Beaver River Substation is not included in this application; it is the subject of a separate Article VII application, filed in Case 25-T-0178.)  The Project transverses the Towns of LeRay, Rutland, Champion, and Wilna, and the Villages of Black River and Carthage in Jefferson County, and the Town of Croghan in Lewis County. The rebuild would include the replacement of the existing double circuit wood structures, single and double circuit lattice structures, and double circuit tubular steel poles with new single circuit, direct-embedded engineered steel, davit arm monopoles for tangent suspension and single circuit, engineered steel monopole structures on drilled pier concrete caisson foundations for angle, dead-end, and tap structures.

The Applicant proposes to primarily rebuild the existing transmission line within the existing right-of-way (ROW), with a segment of line requiring a new ROW. The Applicant owns a combination of fee and easement rights over the length of the Project. Additional easement rights will be needed for the relocated lines on the new ROW, as well as expanded rights in portions of the existing ROW. The Applicant maintains that the Project is necessary to ensure its continued provision of safe and reliable service and to achieve the objectives of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act within the Watertown/Oswego/Porter Area of Concern.

Two in-person information forums and public statement hearings will be held as follows:

DATE: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 
TIMES: 2:00 p.m. 
LOCATION: 
Carthage Recreation Building 
1 Park Drive 
Carthage, New York 13619

DATE: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 
TIMES: 6:00 p.m. 
LOCATION: 
Carthage Recreation Building 
1 Park Drive 
Carthage, New York 13619

It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material to speak at an in-person hearing. Individuals will be called to speak after completing a request card. Each public statement hearing will be open for at least thirty minutes or until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record.

Visit the event page for more details.