Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group
To ensure the safety and security of energy storage systems across the state.
Overview
Following fire incidents at energy storage facilities in Jefferson, Orange, and Suffolk Counties, Governor Hochul created an Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group to ensure the safety and security of energy storage systems across the state. The Working Group will thoroughly investigate the recent energy storage fires and will conduct a comprehensive fire safety review, including emergency response analysis, of energy storage projects that experienced thermal runaway events across New York.
Related Documents
- Governor Hochul Convenes Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group Following Fires In Jefferson, Orange, and Suffolk Counties (Press Release, 7/28/23)
Investigation of Lead-Covered Cables
Recent media reports have identified lead-covered cables installed years ago by telecom companies could pose a potential public health and environmental risk associated with those cables through releases into the environment.
In an effort to better understand the scope of this potential concern, the State is compiling an inventory of the presence of aerial and buried cables, both on land and below water, containing lead across New York to conduct its own investigation of the health and safety issues potentially caused by these cables.
Related Documents and Press Releases
- Lead Cable Inventory Letter to Providers from NYSDPS, DOH, and DEC
- Governor Hochul Announces Temple Park Will Reopen After Comprehensive Soil Testing Reveals Park is Safe for Public Use (Press Release, 8/1/23)
- Governor Hochul Directs State Agencies to Investigate Old Lead-Covered Cables Left in Communities By Telecommunication Companies (Press Release, 7/20/23)
Read All Case-Related Documents
Matter 23-01547 - In the Matter of the Investigation of Lead-Covered Cables and the Potential Associated Health Risks.
Central Hudson Billing System
On September 1, 2021, Central Hudson Gas & Electric (Central Hudson, or the Company) upgraded its Customer Information and Billing System. Following implementation, several customers complained to local officials and to the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) about excessive and delayed bills, and a lack of customer support by the Company. The investigation is ongoing.
Related Press Releases, Presentations and Orders
- Order Adopting Terms of Interim Agreement (8/18/23)
- DPS to Install Independent Monitor to Examine Billing System at Central Hudson (Press Release, 7/27/23)
- Central Hudson Called to Account for Apparent Billing System Defects (Press Release, 12/15/22)
- Central Hudson Billing was discussed as the first item at the December 15, 2022 PSC Session - View Session Recording
- Presentation by DPS staff at the December 15, 2022 PSC session - Central Hudson Gas & Electric (Customer Information & Billing System Development & Deployment) (22-M-0645)
- Order to Commence Proceeding and Show Cause - Case 22-M-0645
Read All Case-Related Documents
Case 22-M-0645 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission Concerning Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation's Development and Deployment of Modifications to its Customer Information and Billing System and Resulting Impacts on Billing Accuracy, Timeliness, and Errors.
Empire Offshore Wind
Overview
On June 17, 2022, Empire Offshore Wind LLC filed an application (Application) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law seeking to construct, operate, and maintain the New York portion of the transmission facilities required to interconnect its proposed Empire Wind 2 Offshore Wind Generating Facility to a Point of Interconnection with the New York State Transmission System at the Barrett 138-kilovolt (kV) Substation located in Oceanside in the Town of Hempstead, New York (the NY Project). On August 1, 2023, Empire Offshore Wind LLC and EW Offshore Wind Transport Corporation (collectively, EOW) amended its request and modified aspects of its proposal.
The NY Project will extend a total of approximately 12.2 miles within the State of New York and includes several components: two three-core 345-kV high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) submarine export cables located within an approximately 7.7-nautical mile (nm) submarine export cable corridor from the boundary of New York State waters three nautical miles offshore to the cable landfall; a cable landfall in the City of Long Beach; two 345-kV onshore export cable circuits, each with three single-core HVAC onshore export cables within an approximately 1.6-mile onshore export cable corridor from the cable landfall to the onshore substation; an onshore substation in the Village of Island Park, within the Town of Hempstead, which will house major control components for the electrical system and perform functions such as voltage regulation, reactive power compensation, and harmonic filtering; two 345-kV interconnection cable circuits, each with three single-core HVAC interconnection cables within an approximately 1.7-mile interconnection cable corridor from the onshore substation to the newly proposed Hampton Road substation; the new Hampton Road substation in Oceanside in the Town of Hempstead, New York, which will include substation facilities that will provide the necessary breaker arrays and 345-kV/138-kV transformers; and, four 138-kV loop-in/loop-out lines cable circuits, located within an approximately 0.1-mile cable corridor from the Hampton Road substation to existing Long Island Power Authority transmission lines located under Lawson Boulevard in Oceanside, New York.
Related Documents
- Public Statement Hearing Transcript - Wednesday, October 11, 2023 2pm - Long Beach City Hall
- Public Statement Hearing Transcript - Wednesday, October 11, 2023 6pm - Long Beach City Hall
Related Meetings, Conferences or Hearings
- Wednesday, October 11, 2023, City of Long Beach, City Hall Community Chamber, 6th Floor 1 West Chester Street Long Beach, New York 11561
(Click on times below for details about how to participate in hearings.)
- September 14, 2023, 1 p.m. - Procedural conference held regarding the 12-mile Empire Offshore Wind transmission line
Related Press Releases
- Public Information Forums and Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding Offshore Wind Transmission Line - October 4, 2023
- Se organizan foros de información pública y audiencias de declaración pública sobre la línea de transmisión de energía eólica marina - October 4, 2023
- Virtual Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding Offshore Wind Transmission Line - March 2, 2023
- Virtual Public Information Sessions Set Regarding Offshore Wind Transmission Line - February 23, 2023
Read All Case-Related Documents
Case 22-T-0346 - Application of Empire Offshore Wind LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of Approximately 12 Miles of Transmission Lines from the Boundary of New York State Territorial Waters to a Point of Interconnection in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County.
Electric Vehicle Proceeding
The Commission commenced a proceeding on April 18, 2018, to consider the role of electric utilities in providing infrastructure and rate design to accommodate the needs and electricity demand of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The proceeding explores cost-effective ways to build such infrastructure and equipment, and determine whether utility tariff changes will be needed in addition to those already being considered for residential customers to accommodate and promote the deployment of EVs. The proceeding also investigates the characteristics of EV charging systems and how those systems may facilitate EV participation as a distributed energy resource (DER).
Related Orders and Documents
- PSC Order Instituting Procedure
- DPS Staff Whitepaper Regarding Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment and Infrastructure Deployment
Related Events
- DPS EV Make Ready Program Workforce Development webinar, September 7, 2023 - View Sept 7 webinar recording.
- DPS staff held a webinar regarding electric vehicle supply equipment and infrastructure, August 23, 2023 - View Webinar Recording
Related Press Releases
- Governor Hochul announces $29 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure rebates
- Virtual Meeting Set For Review of Electric Vehicle Make-Ready Program
- Governor Hochul Announces Charging Discount Programs For Electric Vehicle Drivers Across New York
- Governor Hochul Announces Advancement of Program to Deploy More Than 50,000 New EV Charging Ports Across the State
- PSC Expands Electric Vehicle Charging Incentive Program
Read All Case-Related Documents
Case 18-E-0138 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission Regarding Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment and Infrastructure.
Electric Transmission Planning Proceeding
Case 20-E-0197 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Implement Transmission Planning Pursuant to the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act.
Related Orders and Pages
Related Press Releases
Energy Storage
Case 18-E-0130 In the Matter of Energy Storage Deployment Program.
Effects of COVID-19 on Utility Service
Case 20-M-0266 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission Regarding the Effects of COVID-19 on Utility Service.
NYSEG/RG&E Billing Issues Investigation
Department staff commenced a review and an investigation related to a September 2022 change to the NYSEG/RG&E's customer information and billing system. The complaints received by the Department range from incorrect bills being sent to consumers or very late bills being sent. The investigation is ongoing.
Related Press Releases
- DPS Expands Investigation of NYSEG and RG&E for Billing Errors
- Virtual and In-Person Public Forums Set Regarding Billing Errors
- View transcripts of public forums in Matter 23-00068
View All Matter-Related Documents
Matter 23-00068 - In the Matter of DPS staff's Investigation into Billing, Customer Service, and Meter Reading Issues Affecting Customers of New York State Electric & Gas Corporation and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation.
Community Choice Aggregation Programs
Case 14-M-0224 - Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Enable Community Choice Aggregation Programs.
Read more about Community Choice Aggregation Programs.