Save the Date: Public Hearing on Utilities' Storm Response in Putnam

The Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response has scheduled a public hearing to solicit comments from residents in Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties on Thursday, Jan. 24.

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. Community members may also submit testimony before or after the hearing at comments@moreland.ny.gov.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo established the commission on Nov. 13, 2012, under the Moreland Act, to investigate the response, preparation, and management of New York’s power utility companies to several major storms impacting the state. The storms include Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. In New York, 2.1 million customers lost power from Hurricane Sandy, some of them for as long as 21 days. 

The Moreland Commission already held three public hearings, which focused on two specific issues. The topics, which the public is asked to address, deal with the emergency preparedness and response of utilities to recent storms and recommendations for restructuring utilities’ oversight in New York to improve the reliable and affordable transmission of power.

When they arrive at the hearing, members of the public can register to speak. Comments will be limited to three minutes in order to allow as many people as possible to share their views. Moreland Commission spokesman David Neustadt said several commissioners would be present at the hearing in Purchase.

Although the public hearing is called for Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties, He said speakers are not limited to those areas but can speak about experiences in other parts of the state.

“In any case, the commission wanted to be sure to cover all the areas affected,” said Neustadt.

The commission already held hearings in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties and scheduled two more for the Rockaways/Queens and Staten Island prior to the one in Purchase.

The Commission issued an interim report of almost 60 pages on January 7, much of which dealt with the Long Island Power Authority as well as making recommendations for improvements. A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the findings is available.