Latimer blasts utility companies for lack of power restoration information
County Executive George Latimer is giving an update on power outages in Westchester.
News 12 Staff
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Aug 6, 2020, 1:37 PM
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Updated 1,493 days ago
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Westchester County Executive George Latimer says he is not pleased with the communication coming from utility companies as they try to repair storm damage across the county.
Latimer said Thursday that over 180,000 customers were without power in the county.
He says he understands how difficult the job the crews from Con Ed and NYSEG have, but there needs to be a better understanding of when the power might be restored.
"If people can have some sense of reliable information of when power will be restored… how soon or how long it's going to take… they can make rational decisions," he said.
Latimer said that information is more important than ever because many people are working from home because of the pandemic and they need to know when their power, phone and internet will be back on.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered the state's Public Service Commission to investigate the response by the utility companies, which he described as unacceptable.
It's a move Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano supports.
"I also urge the PSC to impose substantial financial penalties to Con Ed," says Spano.
Con Edison says it's working around the clock to get customers restored, with over 1,500 workers in the field and more arriving every day. NYSEG says all of its customers have an estimated time on when power will be restored, adding that Isaias' damage surpasses Superstorm Sandy.