State Holding Virtual Forums On Utilities' Storm Response

NEW YORK STATE — The state announced on Thursday that it would be holding a series of online public forums this month and next month about potential damages residents feel they suffered as a result of their electric service provider's response to Tropical Storm Isaias.

The Public Service Department's Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection will be holding four meetings — one each for different areas of the state — in the coming weeks. The state's electrical utilities have faced criticism, investigations and lawsuits over their responses to Isaias.

"The response by utility companies to Tropical Storm Isaias was nothing short of unacceptable and New York is fully committed to doing everything we can to ensure this doesn't happen again," Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "If utility operations are mismanaged, the customers are the last people who should be forced to foot the bill — we pay them for a service and clearly that service was not provided. These hearings play a critical role in helping hold these companies accountable and I encourage all New Yorkers who were impacted by their failures to take this opportunity to make their voice heard."

The state's Public Service Commission (PSC) has completed its investigation into the apparent failure of New York's electric utilities to adequately prepare for and respond to Tropical Storm Isaias, which ravaged large swaths of New York State this summer. As a result of the investigation, three of the state's largest utilities — Con Edison, Orange & Rockland (O&R) and Central Hudson — now face potential penalties totaling $137.3 million, with Con Edison and O&R also facing potential license revocation. All three will now be required to explain why penalties should not be imposed by the PSC for such apparent violations of the laws, regulations and orders that are designed to ensure the safety and reliability of the electric system.

PSEG Long Island was also the subject of the investigation, and numerous failures were identified. The department recommended enforcement actions to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees and LIPA filed a lawsuit against PSEGLI yesterday.

The hearing schedule is:

• Central Hudson Customers: Thursday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m.
• Orange and Rockland Customers: Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m.
• Con Edison Customers: Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 4 p.m.
• PSEG-LI Customers: Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m.

The complete hearing notice with sign-in details may be obtained by going to the Department's Documents section of its website and entering Case Number 20-E-0586 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number."

The alleged violations of the utilities include, among other things, failures to properly track the storm and secure adequate staffing to promptly restore power; properly communicate with, and receive complaints from the public; and properly ensure the safety of life support equipment customers. The DPS and the special counsel have urged LIPA to similarly take appropriate action in connection with PSEGLI's alleged failures to properly prepare for and respond to the storm.