CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

ALBANY - The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced it would hold public statement hearings on proposals by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) to increase rates.

NYSEG has proposed to increase rates by approximately $169.7 million for electric delivery service and by $63.4 million for natural gas delivery service. The proposed increases represent approximately 32.2 percent of NYSEG's electric delivery revenue and 39.5 percent of its gas delivery revenue.

RG&E has proposed to increase rates by approximately $87.4 million for electric delivery service and by $62.9 million for natural gas delivery service. The proposed increases represent approximately 27.1 percent of RG&E's electric delivery revenue and 47.1 percent of its gas delivery revenue.

The increases for both NYSEG and RG&E would become effective on September 25, 2010. Under New York State Law, the Commission must consider utility rate proposals and may adopt, reject, or amend any part of the requested changes in rates and services.

Four separate public statement hearings will be held at the following locations:

Tuesday, April 27 -- Rochester
City Hall Common Council Chambers
30 Church Street, 3rd floor
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 27 -- Geneva
Geneva Community Center Black Box Theater
160 Carter Road
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 28 -- Binghamton
Broome County Public Library Decker Room
185 Court Street
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 29 -- Lancaster
Lancaster Village Municipal Building Auditorium
5423 Broadway
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.