ALBANY – The State Public Service Commission Friday said it would extend the public comment period on the proposed purchase of CH Energy Group of Poughkeepsie by Fortis, Inc. of Canada.

The PSC will extend the period by 30 days.  Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D-Kingston) and other officials had sought a 90 day extension.

He said that although the full extension requested was not granted, he is glad to see that the PSC has decided to hear additional comments before making its decision.

“I think that all of us understand that  the more we start to pick apart this proposal, the more we see it does not meet that minimum statutory standard of being for the net public benefit,” Cahill said.

The lawmaker said the PSC did not comment on his request to have Central Hudson officials available to address specific concerns and questions from the general public.

All comments should be submitted to the PSC no later than May 1.