Hearings slated on utilities' storm response

A special state commission established to investigate how utility companies prepared for and reacted to superstorm Sandy and other recent storms has scheduled public hearings for Manhattan and Long Island, a spokesman for the group said Tuesday.

The Moreland Commission has regional public hearings on Thursday in the city at Lighthouse International, Benay Venuta Hall, 2nd Floor, 111 E. 59th St., and Dec. 11 at SUNY Old Westbury, Student Union Center, Multi-Purpose Room, 223 Store Hill Rd., Old Westbury.

Each hearing begins at 6 p.m.

Spokesman David Neustadt said in a news release the hearings "will feature testimony from experts and will focus on the emergency preparedness and response of utilities and recommendations for restructuring the oversight of energy utilities in New York to improve the reliable and affordable transmission of power."

Residents wishing to testify are asked to specifically to address the two issues. Registration for speaking is before each meeting and speakers will be limited to two minutes.

Written comments can be submitted before or after the hearings at comments@moreland.ny.gov.

A public hearing also is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 20, on Long Island to investigate LIPA and National Grid's response to storms Sandy and Irene. A location will be announced in the near future, the release said.

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The commission was established Nov. 13 by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to investigate the response, preparation and management of New York's power utility companies in regard to several recent major storms.