FOLLOW UP MEETING TO JANUARY POWER OUTAGES HEARING SET FOR THIS MONDAY, MAY 1ST AT 3PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2006

Contact: Thomas J. Abinanti
Tel: (914) 328-9000 or
Cell: (914) 592-7100

In a packed committee hearing on January 30, 2006, Westchester County Legislators Thomas J. Abinanti (D-I-WF, Greenburgh) and Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), called to task New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), Con Edison and the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) after massive power outages wreaked havoc throughout the County.

The two lawmakers, then furious at both Con Edison and NYSEG for their “unacceptable” response after the storm, told the two power companies and the PSC - in no uncertain terms – to get it together and report back to the Committee on the Environment & Energy, which is chaired by Abinanti.

“If you look back on some of the headlines that week, you will read things like ‘Many in Lower Hudson Valley struggle while waiting for help’ or ‘Libraries, eateries become refuges’ and ‘In Putnam Valley, power outages part of life’. It was an inexcusable mess,” reminisced Kaplowitz. “The residents of Westchester County demanded improvements and, come Monday at 3 o’clock, we will see if they are getting them.”

In addition to local officials, Westchester County Emergency Services Commissioner Tony Sutton, along with top officials from Con Edison, NYSEG, and the NYS Public Service Commission, will also be attending.

The meeting is set to take place this Monday, May 1st, at 3:00pm at the Board’s 8th floor offices located at 148 Martine Avenue in White Plains.

The public and the press are encouraged to attend.

Legislators Abinanti and Kaplowitz invite the public to e-mail their comments to Abinanti@westchesterlegislators.com or Kaplowitz@westchesterlegislators.com.