Governor Andrew Cuomo says he’s not pleased with the job Rochester Gas and Electric has done in restoring power since the Wind Storm of 2017.
The governor was back in Rochester Saturday, briefing on the power outage situation. He brought top officials of the New York State Public Service Commission with him, and says there will be a full investigation into RG&E’s readiness to handle emergencies. Cuomo says more than three days is not an adequate response for getting power restored in an Upstate winter.
The governor says state law since Superstorm Sandy requires electric utilities to make preparations for weather emergencies and hold drills so people know what to do. Cuomo says in his opinion, RG&E wasn’t ready. By contrast, Cuomo praised RG&E sister company National Grid, which has nearly completed restoring its customer base.
The governor says utility customers pay good money for electricity, and companies have a responsibility to be ready for extreme weather. The governor says these conditions are the new normal.
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo says the county, City of Rochester and town governments are fully geared up to shelter people who can’t heat their homes in this cold weather.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren says National Guard troops are now helping city crews cut up and move big trees that fell Wednesday and were shoved aside to get roads open. The mayor thanks restaurants and city businesses that have called her office asking what they can do to help.