Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) recently testified at Governor Cuomo’s Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response. At the hearing, which was held on January 24 at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center, Assemblyman Buchwald made recommendations to enhance emergency preparedness and improve oversight on utility companies.
“As our communities continue to recover from Superstorm Sandy, it is imperative that we openly and frankly discuss the problems we’ve encountered in the rebuilding process.” Assemblyman Buchwald said. “The fact that some families went days or weeks without accurate information on when power was going to be restored to their home from these utility companies is unacceptable.”
The focus of the Moreland Commission hearings is to both evaluate the response and preparedness of the utility companies in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, as well as listen to recommendations from the public on how restructuring the oversight of utility commissions could improve the transmission of power.
“Utility companies need to have storm response plans that improve coordination with local governments,” Assemblyman Buchwald said. “By sharing information, utility companies and local governments will find it easier to respond to areas that need assistance in a timely manner.”
In response to these concerns, Assemblyman Buchwald will introduce legislation ensuring customers are given a voice to express their frustration with power outages. The bill will require the Public Service Commission to make a new complaint form available on its website that properly conforms to the Public Service Law, and includes the ability to address the duration of power outages. These complaint forms will add to the level of needed oversight when tracking utility response times, Buchwald added.
The hearing held at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center was the last of the three recently held Moreland Commission public hearings. The previous two were in Staten Island and the Rockaways.
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