The New York State Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public statement hearing on November 19, 2025, to gather input regarding a petition from Hoffman Falls Wind LLC. The company is seeking approval under Section 68 of the Public Service Law for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, as well as lightened regulation as a wholesale electric generator.
Hoffman Falls Wind LLC filed its petition on September 3, 2025. The proposal involves constructing and operating a wind energy generation facility with an approximate capacity of 100 megawatts in the towns of Fenner, Nelson, Eaton, and Smithfield in Madison County.
The project’s construction and operation are subject to the conditions set by the Draft Permit for a Major Renewable Energy Facility issued by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) on February 18, 2025. The Commission’s review will not revisit issues already addressed by ORES.
A virtual public statement hearing will be held before Administrative Law Judge Nicholas Planty at 5:30 p.m. on November 19. Interested individuals who wish to make statements must register by November 17. Registration can be completed electronically via https://dps.ny.gov/calendar or by phone at 1-800-342-3330. Participants may also listen to the hearing without making statements using provided phone access details.
All participants will be muted upon entry into the hearing. “The ALJ will call upon each person who has registered or has asked to make a statement,” according to the notice. “The ALJ will continue the hearing until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements to submit comments into the record have been made.” Reasonable time limits may be set for speakers if necessary so all attendees can participate. A verbatim transcript of the hearing will become part of the case record.
Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should contact the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at 518-473-9463 as soon as possible. TDD users may request sign language interpreters through New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals needing language assistance are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free services.
Those unable or preferring not to comment during the public statement hearing can submit comments referencing Case “25-E-0554” online through www.dps.ny.gov or by mail addressed to Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12223-1350; electronic filing is encouraged. Comments received by December 1, 2025 will be posted publicly on the Department’s website under “Public Comments.” Comments can also be submitted via toll-free Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120; these are summarized but not transcribed verbatim for consideration by the Commission.
Immediately following the public statement hearing, a virtual procedural conference will take place as part of the same teleconference session. This conference aims to identify potential parties and allow interested persons to present proposals about procedures that should guide further proceedings in this case—including whether any factual issues require an evidentiary hearing.
