Power Companies Face Penalties For Storm Restoration [POLL]

NEW YORK — Anyone who has lived in New York for a few years has experienced more than their share of power outages. There were reports of people living in the region after Superstorm Sandy tore through the area for 12 days or more without electricity.

Snowstorms and thunderstorms more than usually mean there will be a point at which you are waiting for the lights to come back on.

Most recently, about 1.3 million New York customers had the electricity go off during and in the wake of the Aug. 4 Tropical Storm Isaias.

This time many people were unable to get information online from their power provider and, in the case of Con Edison, unable to get any estimated restoration, with the exception of a completion time for all customers.

In what was called an unprecedented action, the state Department of Public Service sent Notice of Apparent Violation letters to Con Edison, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Central Hudson, PSEG-LI and Altice-Optimum that they face steep fines and must take immediate corrective actions so that more failures aren't repeated during the rest of the hurricane season.

The investigative process was shortened from the usual one to two years to just six months, the state said.

According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the DPS is also threatening to revoke the franchises of Con Ed and O&R and end PSEG-LI's contract with the Long Island Power Authority depending on the investigation, Newsday reported.

PSEG agreed to forfeit $10 million in incentive compensation the company was expected to receive this year.

Additionally, the Department of Public Service sent letters to NYSEG and National Grid telling them to immediately begin adding crew capacity via private contractors or utilities outside of New York, test capabilities at all command, data and call centers and refine coordination plans with municipalities tailored to each county, among other requirements.

"Should the companies fail to undertake these requested actions immediately or within the time frames … the department will not hesitate to seek any and all relief to compel such actions, the DPS wrote.

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