Officials Want NYSEG Storm Response Probed

Senator Terrence Murphy, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne and Assemblyman David Buchwald have written the New York State Public Service Commission to request a formal review of NYSEG's response to the tropical storm named Philippe. It hit the Hudson Valley on the 5th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy.

The storm Oct. 29 produced high-speed winds, torrential rain, and hazardous flooding. Although it was not as bad as had been predicted, it left behind numerous snapped power lines and uprooted trees. The three lawakers said the response by New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) was so poor it suggested the company had not prepared.

"Weather reports warned of significant rainfall and wind, prompting residents to brace for the worst," said Murphy. "These same reports should have triggered a similar response by NYSEG. This type of response by NYSEG for a weakened storm is simply unacceptable. There has to be a great deal of concern now about NYSEG's preparation and execution for future storms."

NYSEG acknowledged on their website on October 30 that more than 55,000 were without power at least once during the storm.

"It's critical for representatives on both sides of the aisle to come together to alert state agencies when problems arise in the community and prevent them from happening again, Byrne said. "That's what we are hoping to do here; to work together to find out where things went wrong and to make the proper adjustments before the next emergency."

Several neighborhoods in Putnam and Westchester Counties experienced extended power outages. Calls for help to local officials substantiate that the outages lasted for more than 24 hours and there were energized power lines blocking roads and driveways for up to 48 hours.

"Our region does not lack for experience in dealing with major storms and power disruptions so it is disturbing that New York State Electric and Gas was so unable to respond to the October storm in a timely manner," said Buchwald. "We can't wait for NYSEG to get its act together; the Public Service Commission should agree to conduct a formal review of the company's inadequate storm response."

In the aftermath of the storm, the three wrote to John Rhodes, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, to convey their frustrations as well as those of their constituents, over how NYSEG had managed the situation. A similar letter from the Supervisors of Putnam County detailed NYSEG's mismanagement of the storm and identical accounts were reported from town supervisors along the I-684 corridor in Westchester County, they said.

PHOTO/ State Sen. Terrence Murphy's Office

SEE ALSO:

• 13K Without Power In Putnam After Sunday Storm
  
• 3K+ NYSEG Customers Still Waiting For Power Monday: UPDATE
• Scattered Con Ed Outages Still Being Addressed Tuesday