Hurricane Earl didn't end up making much of an impact in the NY area last week, but the preparations that Long Island Power Authority made in case of a terrible storm may mean rate increases. LIPA spent $30 million for Earl prep (including hiring 1,600 out-of-state utility workers); Newsday reports, "Including costs for Earl, LIPA has spent upward of $156 million responding to storms in 2010 - and its storm budget is a mere $27 million." The utility hasn't made a decision yet, and one resident said, "I don't think the increase should be in effect unless those [out-of-state] crews are used. I just think it's needless."