Results tagged “2006queensblackout”

Hey Queens residents, about that blackout two years ago that left thousands of you without electricity or hot water for nine sweltering days? Con Ed is sorry! Also, here's one hundred dollars off your next Con Ed bill. Happy? Don't do anything rash like switch to a different electric company, okay? (Hahaha!) City Room reports that Con Ed is finally sending out letters of apology for the disruption, which the company agreed to do as part of a controversial mea culpa, which is Latin for "a slap in the face." The blackout was caused by a serious failure in the electricity delivery system in the Long Island City network; afterward CEO Kevin Burke bought an advertisement in the Times that fell far short of today's historic apology, which will surely smooth things over once and for all.

Earlier this year, it was announced Con Ed would give refunds of $100 to residents and $350 to businesses who were struck by the 2006 blackout in Queens and now the state Public Service Commission has approved the compensation plan. Oh, and customers will also get a "formal apology." Assemblyman Michael Gianaris slammed the PSC, "Whether it is blackouts, steampipe explosions, stray voltage electrocutions, or record rate hikes in the face of multi-million dollar executive salaries, the PSC looks the other way while Con Ed continues to plague this city. Until Con Edison is forced to make dramatic reforms, we can expect more of the same - unreliable service and ever-increasing rates."