Robinson & Cole, LLP

Robinson & Cole, LLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT 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 Boards (Board) Rules of Practice and Procedure
(Rules), the Board will conduct a public comment hearing on December 1, 2026 at 6:00
P.M. at the Town of Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Ave, Johnston, Rhode Island
02919.
At the hearing, the Board will hear public comment regarding The Narragansett Electric
Company d/b/a Rhode Island Energy (Company) Notice of Intent Application for the
proposed rebuild of the existing 332 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line (Line)
between the West Farnum Substation in North Smithfield and the Kent County Substation
in Warwick (the Project). The Project extends approximately 21.4 miles along an
existing right-of-way through North Smithfield, Smithfield, Johnston, Cranston, West
Warwick, and Warwick. The Company proposes to replace 203 of the 223 existing
structures with new steel structures on concrete caisson foundations, retain and maintain
20 existing structures, replace the conductor and shield wire along the Line, and maintain
or upgrade access roads, signage, and grounding, as applicable. Detailed images of the
proposed Project route can be found in Siting Report Figures available on the docket
page at: https://ripuc.ri.gov/Docket-SB-2026-03. 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.
Section 1.6(G) of the Boards Rules provides that the Board shall hold a public hearing in
one or more of the cities or towns affected by an application After the public comment
hearing, the Board shall determine whether the project may result in a significant impact
on the environment or the public health, safety and welfare and therefore shall be treated
as an alteration, per Section 1.6(H). The Board will conduct a public comment hearing in
Johnston and welcomes the participation of the public.
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-2026-03.
The Town of Johnston Senior Center is accessible to the handicapped. Requests for
interpreter services for the hearing impaired must be made to the Coordinator at
89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island, 401-780-2107,
Stephanie.DeLaRosa@puc.ri.gov at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing.
Stephanie De La Rosa, Coordinator
Energy Facility Siting Board