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November 14, 2012

Cuomo Launches Panel to Probe Utilities’ Response to Storm 
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has launched a commission to probe the role
of state utilities during major storms, including Superstorm Sandy and
last year's Hurricane Irene. The 10-member panel will investigate how
the utilities have prepared for the storms and how they have responded
when widespread damage ensued. Speaking at the partial re-opening of the
Battery Tunnel, Cuomo said the commission's findings could lead to a
major regulatory overhaul.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "Whatever their recommendations are, I want to get
back with the legislature the beginning of next year, incorporate them
and come up with a better system. Many of these systems were failing to
begin with."

One of the utilities most highly criticized for its storm response was
the Long Island Power Authority, or LIPA. On Tuesday, LIPA’s acting
CEO Michael Hervey resigned, effective at the end of the year. Although
power has been restored to hundreds of thousands of people, more than
130,000 remain in the dark two weeks after Sandy hit.

 

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