4.0    PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM

4.1    Community Involvement Process

TGE's plan for involving the community respects the history and diversity of the Greenpoint and neighboring Williamsburg communities, which comprise approximately 7 percent of the population of Brooklyn. TGE is keenly aware of concerns about the juxtaposition of industrial activities, such as power plants, and residential communities, and is committed to addressing applicable social and environmental concerns in the development of the Article X Application for the Project.

Also, as discussed in later sections, TGE will examine the compatibility of the Project with the goals of the respective Greenpoint and Williamsburg 197-a planning documents, and discuss these issues with members of the community. Those documents are currently under review by the City Planning Commission.

Opportunities for public involvement throughout each phase of the Article X process include discrete activities during each phase, as described below:

4.1.1    Pre-Application Phase

· Early Planning, Stakeholder Identification and Commencement of Informal Consultations · Preliminary Scoping Statement Notice, Distribution and Submittal

Application Phase

· Preparation of Article X Application and Submittal

Hearing and Decision Phase

· Adjudicatory Hearings

Post Certification Phase

· Ongoing Public Participation through Construction and Operation

The Public Involvement Program (PIP) has been developed in accordance with written guidance circulated by DPS regarding specific components of the program (stakeholder identification, meetings, educational materials, media outreach, public notification, etc.). These components have been integrated into each phase of the Article X process and are described below.

Pre-Application Phase: Early Planning, Stakeholder Identification and Informal Consultation

TGE has identified appropriate individuals and organizations for targeted outreach activities, based on familiarity with New York City and extensive background research on this area of Brooklyn. Stakeholders that have been identified include borough, city, state and federal elected and public officials, community boards, civic and economic development organizations, neighbors, local, state and national environmental and public policy groups, the media and others. While TGE's PIP focuses on members of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg communities and on Brooklyn-based offices of city agencies and civic organizations, the extended service and distribution lists also include representatives of the community district in Manhattan facing the Project site.

To date, TGE has conferred informally with representatives of over 25 groups. Initial contacts have been with community leaders and activists. After attending two meetings at the Brooklyn Borough President's office, one of which included representatives from many community groups (see Table 4-1), TGE later attended a forum sponsored by the Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks and Planning, an umbrella coalition of over 30 civic and religious organizations who have stated their general opposition to power plants in the area and to this Project in particular. Although this forum stirred up a certain amount of controversy, it served to crystallize many of the concerns that the Project team will need to address as the Project progresses.

TGE, as part of the PIP, has contacted everyone listed in Table 4-1 by phone and/or mail to provide advance notice of the submittal of this PSS. TGE has attempted and is continuing to schedule meetings before, or immediately following, the submittal of the PSS. An extended notice and distribution list is appended as Appendix C-2 and will continue to be updated throughout the Article X process. Letters received to date from organizations are included in Appendix D.

4.1.2    PSS Distribution, Notice and Submittal

It is clear that there is current opposition to the Project from certain community groups and that these same groups are refusing to meet and learn more about the Project. Nevertheless, TGE is pursuing a variety of communication methods to continue providing information about the Project to as wide an audience as practicable. These methods include:

Mailing List and database. The database will be used as a tool to track contacts and outreach activities as well as to facilitate phone and written contact when necessary. The lists will be updated via sign in sheets at meetings and presentations, and through inquiries made through the toll free hot line and website. The database will evolve and expand throughout the duration of the Project's development.

Direct Mail. TGE will also mail an introductory letter and/or brochure or newsletter to several thousand Greenpoint and Williamsburg residents (including landowners and tenants). Informational materials to inform the public of the Project will also be placed in community centers, libraries, community board offices, and other appropriate areas. The letter or brochure, which briefly explains the content and purpose of the PSS and proposed stipulations, will be prepared in English, Polish and Spanish. A press release in Polish and Spanish will also be circulated to various local language newspapers, announcing the issuance of the PSS.

Website. A public website has been set up to provide regularly updated information about the Project. It will include the Project Description, Frequently Asked Questions, the PSS, proposed and final Stipulations and, to the extent practicable, the Application, when filed. It will also have an interactive component so that users can record questions and comments, to which the team will respond. The website is at: www.TransGasEnergy.com.

Hot lines. A local telephone, toll free hot line and fax number have been set up to facilitate communication with the public. Calls will be recorded and responded to within 48 hours except during holidays and weekends. The numbers are:

Local Telephone: (718) 384-4282 Toll Free Telephone: (800) 215-2464 Fax: (718) 384-5898

Onsite office. TGE has established an on-site office, with a Project team member working there on a part-time basis. The office can be accessed directly from Kent Avenue at North 12th Street. The office will contain educational materials and serve as a repository for copies of all filings related to the Project. The public is invited to call the office and schedule a meeting that is mutually convenient.

Formal document repositories. Copies of the PSS and other information will also be deposited at several branch libraries in the Greenpoint-Williamsburg area, at the onsite office and at Brooklyn Borough Hall (Appendix C). Other locations will be considered in consultation with the local Community Board.

Formal Distribution and Notice of PSS. Distribution of the PSS will be in accordance with statutory requirements for service and notice lists (16 NYCRR 1000.5 and 1000.6) A list of persons receiving copies of the PSS is provided in Appendix C. A notice of the PSS was published in The Daily News, The Greenpoint Gazette, and Nowy Dziennik, a Polish daily. In addition, a press release was distributed in advance of the issuance of the PSS to the organizations noted in Table 4-1.

DPS Process Forum. TGE staff will attend the forum held by the DPS, assist them in the logistics of organizing the event, and arrange for a court reporter to record comments. Comments received during this period will be formally documented and addressed.

Continue face-to-face meetings. TGE will continue to reach out to as many members of the community and local planning agencies as possible after submitting the PSS to describe the Project goals and technical aspects, receive input, address concerns, clarify misunderstandings and build consensus.

4.1.3    Application Phase: Preparation and Submittal of Article X Application

Continued outreach. TGE will offer to give presentations to community and civic groups, distribute educational materials and continue fostering first-hand understanding of the Project. Notices of meetings will be posted on bulletin boards of local community centers and libraries as well as on the website and announced on the hotline.

Periodic distribution of newsletters and fact sheets. Newsletters and fact sheets will available in hard copy and on the website. The schedule for production and distribution will be determined, in part, by critical milestones in the Project schedule. They will provide more detailed information on specific aspects of the Project and proposed studies outlined in the Stipulations.

Public meeting/open house. At least one public meeting will be held following distribution of the PSS and before finalizing the Stipulations and submitting the Application. The open house will include displays and graphics on the history of the site, proposed studies and stipulations, and technical aspects and how the environmental studies are being conducted. The information will be reinforced through graphics, displays and hard copy handouts for the public to take home. Preparation of a video is also being considered. TGE representatives will also be available to discuss the Project on a more informal basis. The public will be able to record their comments in several ways: by writing on comment cards, by dictating to a court reporter and electronically.

Media outreach. Media outreach will include press releases, notices, briefings to local editorial boards and regular articles in the Greenpoint Gazette and other local papers. An editorial was published in the Polish-language weekly in Greenpoint in Spring 2001, a copy of which will be provided.

Neighborhood presence/community benefits programs. TGE has established a local office in Greenpoint. Community benefits programs will include participation in local events, as appropriate, and will otherwise be developed in consultation with the community. To date, TGE has offered to work with, and make financial contributions in support of, waterfront revitalization projects that would help integrate the Energy Facility with other prospective restoration efforts.

Coordination with DPS. TGE will provide monthly reports of its public involvement activities and meet with DPS staff periodically.

4.1.4    Hearing and Decision Phase: Adjudicatory Hearings

After TGE files the Article X Application with the Siting Board, the Application will be reviewed by several agencies. When the Chairman of the Siting Board determines that the Application is in compliance, formal adjudicatory hearings will be scheduled. Concurrently, DEC will review any air or water applications for completeness. Citizens who have filed for and been granted intervenor status may file testimony and otherwise participate in the Article X hearings. The process for obtaining intervenor status will be explained at community meetings and in a fact sheet distributed before the Article X Application is filed.

4.1.5    Post Certification Phase: Ongoing Public Participation after the Article X Certificate is Issued

Public outreach and community involvement will be ongoing through construction and operation. TGE will continue to participate in regularly scheduled community and borough board meetings, maintain the Project website, update the mailing lists and database, issue press releases and distribute periodic mailings of newsletters and fact sheets.

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