Department of Public Service cites utilities for violations in Isaias response

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that a number of companies will be facing steep fines and possibly have their licenses revoked.

News 12 Staff

Aug 20, 2020, 12:07 AM

Updated 1,512 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that a number of companies will be facing steep fines and possibly have their licenses revoked because of the delayed response in restoring power after Tropical Storm Isaias.
The Department of Public Service has sent violation letters to Con Edison, Orange & Rockland, Central Hudson and News 12's parent company, Altice-Optimum.
According to the state, failures of these companies ranged from inaccurate communications, inadequate planning, website problems and violations of their own emergency plans.
State Assemblyman David Buchwald told News 12 the fines can build up.
Altice-Optimum issued a statement, saying, "Altice takes very seriously our responsibility and commitment to provide high-quality telecommunications services to our customers, and we will cooperate with the Commission on these matters."
Con Edison responded to Cuomo, saying, "…We are enhancing our reliability, resiliency and storm response in a variety of ways, including implementation of a resilience plan. That is essential at a time when climate change is making severe weather events more frequent and devastating for our customers."
Central Hudson tells News 12 in a statement, "Repairs were completed quickly. Nearly 117,000 homes and businesses were impacted."
NYSEG said it, "will make any necessary adjustments to comply with the directive."
Orange & Rockland responded by saying, "We will continue working cooperatively with New York state."
The state has advised the utility companies to hire more crews, test capabilities at all command centers and call centers for bad weather that affects 90% or more of their customers and refine coordination plans with municipalities.
New York state officials are expected to hold a hearing on the impact of the storm Thursday morning.
Altice USA is the parent company of News 12.