POTSDAM -- The New York State Public Service Commission will seek public comment at a Potsdam hearing on two proposals submitted by St. Lawrence Gas Company regarding what they charge for gas, and about the proposed acquisition of Enbridge St. Lawrence Gas by Liberty Utilities Co.

A public session is set for Thursday, Aug. 16 in the Potsdam Civic Center Community Room, 38 Main St.

An information session will begin at 2 p.m., and the public statement hearing starts at 3 p.m.

St. Lawrence gas filed a proposal in February seeking to continue a temporary gas revenue surcharge that is now set to expire in late 2018.

The company proposes to extend for 15 more years the temporary revenue surcharge for its Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties Expansion Project.

The company says that that, under its proposal, actual project costs that are over budget would be recovered without an increase in base delivery rates.

The PSC says the company claims that, in comparison to current bills, residential, commercial, and industrial customers would see decreases in their monthly gas bills of 10.4 percent, 10.1 percent, and 8.7 percent, respectively. The decrease in monthly charges results, in part, from spreading the cost recovery over a longer period.

St. Lawrence and Liberty filed a joint petition March 1 seeking approval of the acquisition of St. Lawrence Gas by Liberty and the issuance of debt related to that acquisition.

Liberty and St. Lawrence claim, among other things, that the acquisition and related financing are in the public interest, will not adversely affect St. Lawrence’s current customers or employees, and will provide net benefits. They add that the proposed financing will allow St. Lawrence to take advantage of relatively low interest rates and additional financing vehicles to replace current indebtedness at reasonable cost.

Under New York State law, the PSC may adopt, reject or modify the proposals, and the commission says it will consider changes proposed by the participating parties and the public, the press release from the PSC says.

To provide people with information in advance of the public statement hearing, information sessions will be conducted during the hour preceding the public statement hearing. St. Lawrence Gas representatives will provide a brief overview of the company’s proposals. In addition, an administrative law judge will provide a brief overview of the review process.

The presentation will be followed by a brief opportunity for questions and answers. The information session will conclude before the public statement hearing is scheduled to begin.

Another information session and public comment hearing set for Wednesday, Aug. 15 in the Malone Middle School Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing, there are other ways to send comments. They should be sent by Aug. 30.

Comments should refer to “Case 18-G-0133 – St. Lawrence Rates” or “Case 18-G-0140 – St. Lawrence Acquisition.”

Comments may be entered directly via the commission’s website at www.dps.ny.gov. Search using the case numbers 18-G-0133 or 18-G-0140, and then click on “Post Comments” at the top of the page; or email comments to the Secretary to the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov. Alternatively, comments may be mailed or delivered to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.

People may call the PSC’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-State callers, 24 hours a day. Press “2” to leave comments, referring to the “St. Lawrence rate case” or the “St. Lawrence acquisition case.” Comments provided through the Opinion Line are not transcribed, but a summary is provided to the commission for its consideration.