Binghamton Meeting Includes Madison County Area

(Madison County, NY – Feb. 2013) The Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response is holding a hearing to solicit comments from the public covering the counties of Broome, Delaware, Otsego, Chenango, Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, Cortland and Madison Feb. 27 at Binghamton University.

Residents unable to present testimony in person may also submit testimony at comments@moreland.ny.gov.

To date, the Moreland Commission has held public hearings in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Ulster, Queens and Staten Island.

These public hearings focus on:

1. The emergency preparedness and response of utilities to recent storms including Hurricane’s Sandy and Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and the December 2008 Ice Storm; and

2. Recommendations for restructuring the oversight of energy utilities in New York to improve the reliable and affordable transmission of power. On the latter point, the Moreland Commission is specifically seeking comments from contributors who can provide guidance and insight into overlapping services provided by the Public Service Commission and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority that impact residents and businesses.

Members of the public wishing to testify at the hearing are asked to address these issues.

Members of the public will be able to register to speak at each event and are asked to keep their oral comments to no more than three minutes to allow as many people as possible to share their views. The public may also submit written comments before or after the hearings at comments@moreland.ny.gov.

Doors open at 5 p.m.; the program starts at 6 p.m. at Binghamton University, Innovative Technology Complex, Engineering and Science Building Room 2008, 85 Murray Hill Road, Vestal.

On Nov. 13, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo established a commission under the Moreland Act (Section 6 of the New York State Executive Law) to, among other things, investigate the response, preparation and management of New York’s power utility companies with respect to several major storms impacting the state, including Hurricanes Sandy and Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Executive Orders 73 and 76 which created the Commission may be found at governor.ny.gov/press/11132012Section6.

The Commission issued an interim report Jan. 7. That report can be found at moreland.ny.gov/sites/default/files/MAC-Interim-Report1-7-2013.pdf. A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the findings is available at moreland.ny.gov/sites/default/files/MorelandPresentation.pdf.

By martha

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