Kaminsky To Co-Chair Hearings on Utilities Storm Response

(Rockville Centre, New York) — Senator Todd Kaminsky, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, announced that he will co-chair a legislative hearing into the failure of utilities, including PSEG Long Island, Verizon Wireless and Altice-Optimum to prepare for Tropical Storm Isaias, as well as to communicate in a responsive and responsible fashion with customers following the storm regarding their service.

“After this week’s fiasco, Long Islanders are sure of one thing: our utilities are not prepared for the next storm,” said Senator Todd Kaminsky. “PSEG-LI left hundreds of thousands in the dark, some of whom are still unable to get basic information about their status, and Altice (Optimum) and Verizon— who seem nowhere to be found—had their services completely tank as well. This hearing represents an important opportunity to get to the bottom of why our utilities failed, and to ensure they put practices in place so that New Yorkers do not have to relive this nightmare again and again.”

The hearing will be conducted by the State Assembly and Senate next Thursday, Aug. 20, and can be viewed via livestream on https://www.nysenate.gov/committees/environmental-conservation. 

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