Public Comment Period Opens Related to Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Adjust NYPA Preference Power Rates

For Immediate Release: 12/24/24

Media Contact: media.inquiries@nypa.gov | (518) 860-9935

Program Contact: secretaryoffice@nypa.gov

 

Public Comment Period Opens Related to Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Adjust NYPA Preference Power Rates

 

New York Power Authority to Hold Public Forums in Niagara and Albany on

First Rate Change Since 2014

 

Public Comment Period Runs Dec. 24, 2024 to Feb. 24, 2025

 

WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today opened a public comment period related to its Notice of Proposed Rule Making to adjust the Preference Power rates for customers that receive low-cost hydropower from the Niagara and St. Lawrence-FDR power projects. In accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act, a 60-day public comment period begins today that will end on February 24, 2025. All written comments on the rate proposal may be filed with NYPA’s Corporate Secretary at secretaryoffice@nypa.gov.

 

In addition to the filing of comments, NYPA will hold in-person public forums in Niagara and Albany to receive statements from members of the public. NYPA staff will consider all the submissions made during the public comment period, including statements received at the public forums, before presenting a final rate recommendation to the NYPA Board of Trustees at its July 2025 meeting.

 

Under the new proposal, NYPA plans to implement a phase-in to the cost-of-service rates to mitigate annual customer bill impacts. The rates, which have not changed since 2014, will be modified to account for capital investments in the hydro plants and increased operating and general expenses. The new rates will become effective July 1, 2025.

 

The Power Authority’s Preference Power rates are based on cost-of-service principles and apply to hydroelectric sales to 47 municipal electric systems, four rural electric cooperatives, three upstate investor-owned utilities, neighboring states customers, two transportation authorities, the Tuscarora Nation, and host communities identified by the relicensing agreement for the Niagara Power Project. In total, 1,457 megawatts of hydropower are allocated to customers at Preference Power rates.

  

NYPA will hold two public forums during this public comment period at the following locations:

 

• Wednesday. Jan. 29, 2025, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Niagara Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road, Lewiston

 

• Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Albany Hilton, 40 Lodge Street Albany, NY  12207

 

 

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About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.