On December 11, 2008, hundreds of thousands of residents in upstate New York were left without electricity after a severe ice storm. This hearing will examine several issues, including: investigating what factors contributed to the severity and duration of the outages; whether the response was timely and adequate; whether the investor-owned utilities charged with maintaining the integrity of the electric grid had adequate plans and staffing in place; and recommendations to reduce the possibility of future outages.

Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact person listed on the reply form and/or may be submitted at the hearing registration desk.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the December 2008 blackout are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to: