The New York State Public Service Commission has scheduled a virtual public statement hearing for February 24, 2026, to gather input on a proposed transmission line project in Steuben and Chemung counties. The application, submitted by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) on April 16, 2025, seeks approval under Public Service Law Article VII for the Steuben-Chemung Area Transmission Enhancement project.
The proposed project involves rebuilding and constructing a 52-mile, 230 kilovolt transmission line. It would run through several towns and municipalities: Cohocton, Avoca, Bath, Campbell, Hornby, and the Village of Savona in Steuben County; as well as the City and Town of Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, and Horseheads in Chemung County. The route includes NYSEG’s existing Lines 68, 69, 72, and 74. It begins at the Canandaigua Substation in Cohocton to Stoney Ridge Substation (23.5 miles), continues from Stoney Ridge in Campbell to Hillside Substation in Elmira (27 miles), and ends with a segment from Hillside to Watercure Substation in Elmira (1.5 miles). Construction will use both existing rights-of-way (ROW) and new or expanded ROWs. Temporary transmission lines may be installed during construction.
To carry out the project, NYSEG will need to acquire additional property rights for expanding or establishing ROWs and for temporary access during construction. Additional rights may also be needed outside the main corridor to remove trees that pose safety risks.
Under state law, the Commission can approve or reject NYSEG’s proposal fully or partially or make modifications after considering public input.
A virtual information session is set for February 24 at 5:00 p.m., followed by the public statement hearing at 5:30 p.m. Access details are available via https://meetny-gov.webex.com/ with an access code of 2820 701 3290 and password Feb24-5pm. Phone-only access is also provided.
During the information session, members of the public can ask questions about the process and NYSEG’s application.
Anyone wishing to speak at the hearing must register by 4:30 p.m. on February 23 either online through https://dps.ny.gov/calendar or by phone at 1-800-342-3330. Instructions are provided for both electronic and phone registration methods.
People who want to listen without making a statement can join by calling in with the same access code and password.
All participants will be muted upon entry into the hearing. Each person who registered to speak will be called upon to make a statement. The ALJ will continue the hearing until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements to submit comments have been made. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford the speakers an opportunity to be heard. It is requested that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made and posted to the Department of Public Service’s (Department) website.
Persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations should call the Department’s Human Resources Management Office at 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. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services.
For those unable or unwilling to attend or speak at the hearing, written comments referencing “Case 25-T-0246” can be submitted online via www.dps.ny.gov using “File Search,” entering “25-T-0246,” then clicking “Post Comments.” Mailed comments should go to Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary of Public Service Commission at Three Empire State Plaza in Albany; however, electronic submissions are preferred.
Written comments will appear on the Department’s website under “Public Comments” after searching by case number.
Individuals may also submit feedback via a toll-free opinion line at 1-800-335-2120; these messages are summarized but not transcribed verbatim before being shared with commissioners.
