Con Ed's handling of the power outages has been dismal. Every municipality is experiencing the same problems. My suggestion: Give the Governor authority to hire outside contractors in advance of upcoming storms if Con Ed doesn't.
SUGGESTION FOR GOVERNOR AND STATE LEGISLATURE SO DISMAL RESPONSE TO POWER OUTAGE WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN
GIVE GOVERNOR AUTHORITY TO HIRE OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS IN ADVANCE OF ANTICIPATED STORMS -IF CON ED DOESN’T
WOULD AVOID BLAME GAME-
AND, PROVIDE FOR FOOD REIMBURSEMENT
In recent years there been a number of power outages in Greenburgh and in Westchester. Many residents have experienced significant outages for many days after each storm. 4,500 Greenburgh residents were out of power after the storm. I’ve been out of power in my own home since Tuesday -and got an estimated restoration for Monday evening. Many other residents of Greenburgh & Westchester also are going to be without power this weekend --into next week. Not acceptable.
After each storm the same thing happens. Con Ed holds daily conference calls with municipal officials and lawmakers. Elected officials always criticize Con Ed. Then there are investigations and hearings. And we are told it won’t happen again. And, it does -during the next major storm.
The problem- as I see it - is Con Ed is short staffed - doesn’t have adequate crews. Today, at our municipal/Con Ed conference call Con Ed indicated that more contractors are "heading our way from out of state. Con Ed flew in resources for the first time". FRUSTRATING BECAUSE CON ED WAITED TILL AFTER THE STORM TO GET ADEQUATE OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS TO RESPOND. Over 60,000 people are still out of power--18% of Westchester is out of power at the current time, according to Con Ed. Con Ed expects to restore 15,000 customers today and are working to restore 265 roads still closed.
MY SUGGESTION --GIVE GOVERNOR OF NYS AUTHORITY TO HIRE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS (WHO WOULD BE PAID BY CON ED) IN ADVANCE OF EVERY STORM
We all know that Con Ed was unprepared for this storm. We all know that the problem was that Con Ed did not have adequate crews to quickly restore power. They should have had outside contractors in place before the storm. They should have hired the crews before the storm. Many of us have seen few Con Ed crews since the storm.
The NYS Legislature should provide the Governor with emergency authority. His office should be given the ability to hire crews to respond to anticipated storms in the event that Con Ed does not --in advance of storms. Con Ed should be required to provide the Governor with hiring plans prior to any anticipated storm. If the Governor doesn’t approve of the plans he or she should have the ability to override Con Ed and to hire outside contractors --who would be paid by Con Ed.
ALSO- RESIDENTS SHOULD GET REIMBURSED FOR DAMAGED FOOD
I asked Con Ed officials if residents will get reimbursed for damaged food. They indicated people should complete a claim form on the Con Ed website. They said that after the last storm and people were denied. I think the State Legislature should mandate that Con Ed reimburse for damaged food after a storm.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor