State Senator George Onorato (d-queens) Today Sent The Following Letter To Jaclyn Brilling, Secretary To The New York State Public Service Commission

Honorable Jaclyn A. Brilling
Secretary
New York State
Public Service Commission
3 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12223-1350

Re: CASE 06-E-0894 -- Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Investigate
the Electric Power Outages in Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.'s Long Island City Electric Network

Dear Secretary Brilling:

As the representative of the 12th Senate District in Queens, which includes the Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside and Astoria communities affected by the July, 2006 nine-day blackout, I am writing to oppose the recent request by Consolidated Edison to avoid a prudence hearing and instead seek an undefined "alternative resolution" to the issues associated with the company's actions during this massive power outage.

In previous communications to the Public Service Commission, I have outlined the hardships experienced by individuals, families and our local business community as a result of the power outage. Many of these hardships go far, far beyond the issue of spoiled food, and include devastating business losses, property damage, and other expenses that have thus far been unfairly borne by my constituents.

I strongly agree with the points raised in a letter sent to you on April 10, 2007 by the Western Queens Power for the People Campaign which outlines in great detail the reasons why a Consolidated Edison prudence hearing should be expeditiously commenced and the company's "alternative resolution" request denied. Given the findings in the various investigations thus far, I find it unimaginable that Consolidated Edison ratepayers, rather than shareholders, could conceivably be forced to shoulder the cost of repairs to the Long Island City network. However, these are the issues that would be determined by a prudence proceeding, as recommended by the Commission's own staff.

Thank you for your attention to this very important matter of paramount concern to the people and business community of the 12th Senatorial District.

Sincerely,

George Onorato
State Senator, 12th District

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