By:Angela Marshall
If the rate hike is approved, villagers can expect to pay about a penny more per kilowatt, an increase from about 9 cents per kilowatt to 10 cents. The village hasn't raised rates since 1994.
A public hearing before Administrative Law Judge Gerald L. Lynch will be held at the Rec Center, 111 North Oceanside Road, on Wednesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. At that time, residents will be able to speak for or against the proposal.
A village spokesperson said the hike is needed to meet increased expenses.
The proposal also requests permission to pass along the $400,000 cost of the construction of a new substation to improve reliability for customers. If the surcharge is implemented, the overall increase would be $2.3 million.
The village is also seeking to use the balance of a $2.8 million refund from the New York Power Authority to upgrade some of its generators and create a comprehensive Integrated Resource Plan to assess the Electric Department's ability to meet growing demand. Part of the refund was already used for the construction of a transmission line from Bellmore to the village.
The judge can adopt all or part of the requests. If approved, the rate hike would go into effect June 1.
Rockville Centre is one of only three communities on Long Island that operates its own electric utility, which it has done since 1898. The majority of the electricity is imported hydropower from the New York Power Authority. Rockville Centre's engines provide supplemental electricity during peak demand.
Lynch will preside at an evidentiary hearing on Thursday, March 25, at 9 a.m., at the Rockville Centre Village Hall, 1 College Place. At the hearing, the village and the Department of Public Service staff are expected to answer any questions the judge may have concerning statements in support of an agreement on how the issues presented should be resolved by the commission. The hearing is not expected to go beyond one day.
