Let me begin by thanking you for holding a public hearing in Westchester. It’s imperative that the extensive and crippling damage that Superstorm Sandy caused in our County and the Hudson Valley region not be forgotten. You are providing an opportunity to address the problems we’ve seen in the storm response process, and I thank you for your work over the last two and a half months and going forward.
In the weeks following the storm, I visited homeowners, senior centers and warming shelters around the region. As I spoke with families who were affected, the root of many frustrations was clear. There was in many respects a breakdown in communications between the utility companies and Westchester families, and as a result, people were left with inadequate information. I can say with certainty that the response in the aftermath of Sandy, from both ConEd and NYSEG, fell far short of what New Yorkers expect, and without a doubt, short of what they deserve.
The shortcomings of these utility companies, in their response and in their communication with the community, are unacceptable because they involved avoidable mistakes. Too often, power companies declared a neighborhood had restored power, when in fact it wasn’t the case. More specifically, power companies thought it somehow appropriate to assume that a successful repair meant that every house in the affected area had its power back, even though that was often not the case. In addition, the utilities' own websites were not capable of providing up-to-date and accurate address-specific information.
It fell to local government officials to provide useful information to both residents and power companies as well as they could. Residents contacted their local governments because local governments are responsive - which is something that far too many people found utterly lacking from the utility companies ConEd and NYSEG.
Therefore, I recommend that utility companies structure storm response plans that specifically designate improved means of coordinating with local governments. They should be providing information, as well as the essential tasks of clearing streets with downed power lines and restoring service as soon as possible to essential infrastructure. It would both significantly improve the overall effectiveness of response efforts, and make sure that dangerous hazards and the needs of families without power are addressed promptly and in the most efficient manner.
In an effort to provide better oversight of utility companies, I am introducing legislation that would require the Public Service Commission to make an additional complaint form available on its website that properly conforms to the Public Service Law, specifically Section 71, and which includes the ability to address the duration of power outages.
Put plainly and simply, our communities deserve better, and with careful planning, we can ensure that happens. Now is the time to look back, correct our mistakes and move forward with a more prepared, effective and responsive system in place for the next time an emergency arises.
I wish the Moreland Commission the best, and the resources of my office are certainly available to advance our shared goals.
Thank you,
David Buchwald
Member of the New York State Assembly
93rd Assembly District, representing Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge and White Plains
- Assemblyman Buchwald Statement on Governor’s New York State Tax Relief Commission
- Bill Signed to Restore Critical Funding to Protect Vulnerable Citizens
- Assemblyman Buchwald Speaks of Revitalizing Westchester’s Economy at Business Council of New York’s Annual Meeting
- Assemblyman Buchwald Secures $14.2M in Funding to Make Vital Infrastructure Upgrades in Westchester
- Assemblyman Buchwald’s Corruption Bill Bolstered by U.S. Attorney Bharara’s New Pension Policies