IN RE: THE NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY'S NOTICE OF INTENT APPLICATION FOR THE JOHNSTON TAP LINES T172S-2 & S171-2 115kV REBUILD PROJECT – DOCKET NO. SB-2025-03
NOTICE OF HEARING
Pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 42-98-7 and 42-98-9.1 and Rules 1.6(J) and 1.23 of the Energy Facility Siting Board’s (“Board”) Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules”), the Board will conduct a hearing on Tuesday July 22, 2025, at 9:30 AM in Hearing Room A of the Public Utilities Commission office building, 89 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02888. The hearing will be streamed live to the public and archived via the internet at: https://video.ibm.com/channel/WqQyXw296dg.
The Narragansett Electric Company (“Company”) filed a Notice of Intent Application for the proposed rebuild of the T172-2 & S171-2 115 kV transmission lines (collectively, the “Johnston Tap Lines”). Specifically, the Company is proposing to replace all of the structures, wires, and shield wires (collectively, the “Project”). This Project focuses on improving the condition and performance of the Johnston Tap Lines between the mainline right-of-way located in Johnston and the Johnston Substation. The Company states that the Project is needed to improve the condition and performance of the Johnston Tap Lines, which are nearing the end of their useful life. The project components include: rebuilding and replacing all structures, wires, insulators and shieldwires (a distance of approximately 1.9 miles), and restoring and stabilizing the affected areas within the right-of-way. Detailed images of the proposed Project route (including adjacent properties) can be found in “Siting Report Figures” available on the docket page at: https://ripuc.ri.gov/Docket-SB-2025-03. The Company argues that any impact the proposed Project may have on the environmental resources and the social environment will be negligible. Therefore, the Company requests the Board determine that the Project does not constitute an alteration to a major energy facility and that it is not subject to the full Board permitting process.
The purpose of this hearing is for the Board to obtain further information regarding the Project. Section 1.6(J) of the Rules provides that the Board “may at any time require the applicant, or the party responsible for filing a notice of intent as described above, to file additional information.” The Board will conduct the evidentiary hearing in accordance with Section 1.23 of the Rules. This hearing will assist the Board in determining whether the project can go forward on the Notice of Intent or whether a full application is required.
All of the materials filed in this proceeding are on file and available for public review at the Board office located within the Public Utilities Commission office building at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island. The materials are also available online at: https://ripuc.ri.gov/Docket-SB-2025-03.
The Public Utilities Commission office building is accessible. Requests for interpreter services for the hearing impaired must be made to the Coordinator at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, 401-780-2108, Kristen.L.Masse@puc.ri.gov at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing.
Kristen Masse, Coordinator Energy Facility Siting Board
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