The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has cancelled a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Henderson, as well as associated videoconferences at sites in Owensboro, Paducah and Brandenburg.
The meetings were for the purpose of providing information and taking public comment on a proposal by Big Rivers Electric Corp. for an increase in rates to partially offset the loss of revenue that will occur when the Century Aluminum Co. smelter in Sebree ceases to be a customer at the end of January.
“With snow, ice and bitter cold forecast through the middle of next week, the commissioners felt that cancelling the meetings was the prudent course of action,” PSC Chairman David Armstrong said. “Our first concern is not to imperil the safety or health of anyone travelling to the meetings.”
Armstrong said that the PSC staff is working to reschedule information and public comment sessions. Those will be announced next week, Armstrong said.
“We certainly intend to offer ample opportunities for public comment in this proceeding,” he said, noting that anyone wishing to express an opinion may always submit written comments to the PSC.
Written comments may be mailed to the PSC at P.O. Box 615, Frankfort, KY 40602, faxed to (502) 564-9625, e-mailed from the PSC website or submitted in person at the PSC offices at 211 Sower Blvd. in Frankfort.
The Big Rivers application and related documents are available on the PSC website. The case number is 2013-00199.
The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.
