Letter To The Editor: State Should Offer Generator Tax Credit

Even if Con Ed is prepared, the next time there are major outages people will still be out of power for at least three or four days, maybe longer. I will be encouraging our State Legislators and Governor to consider tax credits against NYS income taxes that would equal to 50 percent or 75 percent of the cost of acquisition and installation of a homeowner's backup generator. While the cost of generator together with installation could run about $15,000, a 50 percent or 75 percent tax credit would make such a purchase much more reasonable for all homeowners, enabling more people (especially those on fixed incomes) to have power when there are extended power outages. Perhaps there is a way for the state to recoup some of the tax credit costs from Con Ed.

Most people feel that Con Ed was unprepared during the recent nor’easters. Residents were out for 10+ days. The AF Veteran Town Park multipurpose center was still out of power Monday morning — and we serve senior citizens. If Con Ed implements new policies and is able to better respond to outages in the future, it will still take at least three or four days to restore power. People will still be freezing if the outages occur in the winter. Having a generator powering one’s home will enable more people to live comfortably during an outage.

Another suggestion: Con Ed or some other entity could purchase generators in bulk, and offer a discount on the purchase of generators.

— Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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