If you ask people without power on Long Island, they are clear on who is at fault for the lack of electricity: LIPA, the Long Island Power Authority, with its budget of $3.7 billion.
Politicians echoed that Monday.
In June, New York's Public Service Commission reviewed LIPA's handling of hurricane turned tropical storm Irene. It concluded that LIPA did not trim enough trees before the storm (those fallen trees downed power line), LIPA did not keep up maintenance like replacing rotting utility poles, LIPA had a mainframe computer for its operations including damage assessment and surveys that is 25 years old -- way out of date, and LIPA had poor communications with staff, customers and officials -- not even having enough fax machines.
All these failings appear to have occurred again during Sandy.
But LIPA's head and the head of National Grid, which runs LIPA's equipment, said they disagree.
LIPA has said Sandy was worse than anyone expected and the authority has restored one million customer accounts.
But Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is ultimately responsible for LIPA, a state agency, has said the entire management of LIPA may have to be changed.
The LIPA board of trustees still has as chairman Howard Steinberg, whose term expired more than a year ago. The board only has 10 of 15 spots filled.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-06-15 00:38:50 GMT
Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey who are weighing whether to rebuild or relocate will soon get more information that should help them decide what to do.
Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey who are weighing whether to rebuild or relocate will soon get more information that should help them decide what to do.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 8:19 AM EDT2013-06-12 12:19:16 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing removable flood walls for much of lower Manhattan as part of a nearly $20 billion plan to protect New York City from storms and global warming.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing removable flood walls for much of lower Manhattan as part of a nearly $20 billion plan to protect New York City from storms and global warming.
Friday, May 3 2013 6:35 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:35:57 GMT
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:03:55 GMT
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:52:57 GMT
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:19:35 GMT
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:32:29 GMT
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
