direct testimony of the capital expenditures, reliability, and - nyseg

Case 09-E-____; Case 09-G-____ (NYSEG)DIRECT TESTIMONY OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES,RELIABILITY, AND OPERATIONS PANEL123456789101112131415161718192021gas main clearing and pipeline marker practices to improve damage preventionand public awareness programs.Q. What is the estimated annual incremental cost of the gas main clearing program?A. The incremental cost is approximately $250,000, including labor.Q. What additional initiative is NYSEG planning to accomplish regarding damageprevention and public awareness?A. NYSEG is planning to enhance its outreach and education program with thefederal mandated public awareness plan. The goal is to provide a greaterunderstanding and awareness of pipeline infrastructure to our major stakeholders(affected public, emergency officials, public officials, and excavators). Thebenefit is improved public safety, pipeline safety, and an enhanced damageprevention program. The additional funding will be used for baseline evaluationsurveys, direct mailings to customers adjacent to the transmission ROWs, damageprevention advertising, and outreach.Q. What is the estimated incremental cost of these programs?A. The incremental cost is approximately $50,000 for each program, excluding labor.Q. Is the Panel proposing any programs to help reduce arrears and controluncollectibles?A. Yes, NYSEG proposes the relocation of 1,000 gas meters each year with higharrears from inside locations to outside locations. The relocations will provideeasier access to the meters to support ongoing collection activity.82