STATE OF RHODE ISLAND ENERGY FACILITY SITING BOARD  IN RE: THE NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY'S d/b/a RHODE ISLAND ENERGY NOTICE OF INTENT APPLICATION FOR THE Q143S/R144 LINES REBUILD PROJECT PROVIDENCE, NORTH PROVIDENCE, LINCOLN AND NORTH SMITHFIELD – DOCKET NO. SB-2025-02 NOTICE OF PRELIMINARY HEARING  Pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 42-98 and 42-35, and Sections 1.8(a) - (d) and 1.9 of its Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules”), the Energy Facility Siting Board (“Board”) will conduct a preliminary hearing regarding the above-captioned matter on Monday, February 16, 2026, beginning at 9:30 AM in Hearing Room A of the Public Utilities Commission office building, 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island. Pursuant to Rules 1.8.A and 1.18.C, the hearing may continue from day to day, time to time, and place to place, as required.  The Narragansett Electric Company d/b/a Rhode Island Energy (“Company”) filed an application for the proposed rebuild of the Q143S and R144 kV transmission lines (“Lines”). Specifically, the Company is proposing to rebuild and replace all of the structures, wires, and shield wires (collectively, the “Project”) between the Admiral Street Cable Terminal in Providence and the Woonsocket Substation in North Smithfield. The Company states that the Project is needed for the refurbishment of conductors and structures for the improvement of the condition and performance of the Lines. The Project components include: rebuilding and replacing all structures, wires, insulators and shield wires (a distance of approximately 11.5 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-2025-02. The Company originally asked for expedited treatment under the Board’s rules. However, on November 4, 2025, the Board denied the Company’s request for expedited treatment finding a more thorough review was necessary.  The application is 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. It is also available online at: https://ripuc.ri.gov/efsb/index.html.  Rule 1.9(a) provides that the Board will “convene a preliminary hearing to determine the issues to be considered by the Board in evaluating [the] application, to designate those agencies which shall act at the direction of the Board for the purpose of rendering advisory opinions, and to identify those licenses required by the facility which are under the direct control of DEM and CRMC.” Additionally, the Board will consider and may vote on the Company’s Motion for Expedited Hearing on the Application which asks the Board to shorten the time for Advisory Opinions to be submitted from six months to four months, schedule public comment hearings prior to the deadline for Advisory Opinions and schedule the final hearing within thirty days of the deadline for Advisory Opinions. The Board will not hear public comment at this preliminary hearing but will do so at a later, appropriately-noticed public comment hearing.  Parties intending to seek intervenor status are directed to the Rules, including but not limited to Section 1.10 (Intervention) and Section 1.4 (Appearances and Practice Before the Board). Pursuant to Rule 1.10(d)(1), motions to intervene are to be filed with the Coordinator at the address above by 4:00 PM EST on Friday, February 6, 2026.  The Public Utilities Commission office building is accessible to the handicapped. Requests for interpreter services for the hearing impaired must be made to the Coordinator at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI, 401-780-2107, Stephanie.DeLaRosa@puc.ri.gov, at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing. The hearing will be streamed live to the public and archived via the internet at: https://video.ibm.com/channel/WqQyXw296dg. Stephanie DeLaRosa, Coordinator Energy Facility Siting Board