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Electric utilities

Con Ed's Blackout Blunder: A Mayor's Challenge to Accountability

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Assemblyman Michael N. Gianaris has been left steamed after experiencing a week of taking ice-cold showers during the Queens blackout, a disappointing situation exacerbated by his baseball game being interrupted by the power failure. Meanwhile, he was also faced with a generic recording from Consolidated Edison that seemed to dismiss his concerns, further fueling his ire. The situation has left him questioning the management of Con Ed and criticizing Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for standing by the company's CEO, Kevin Burke, despite his own failure to meet expectations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Con Ed's power failure affected 100,000 residents of western Queens, causing tens of millions of dollars in losses to local merchants due to spoiled food and lost revenues.
  • The company's initial estimate of the number of customers without power was low-balled, with the actual number being significantly higher.
  • Assemblyman Michael N. Gianaris has called for Kevin Burke's resignation, citing the company's failure to prepare for the blackout and its inaccurate initial estimate of customers affected.
  • The Queens district attorney is investigating Con Ed's performance during the blackout, with charges of reckless endangerment and civil suits being considered.
  • The City Council, the Assembly, and the State Public Service Commission are also conducting inquiries into the company's actions.
  • Con Ed has attributed the failure of 10 major feeder cables to the difficulty of pinpointing customers served by the underground system, but has not provided a clear explanation.
  • The company's repair trucks and generators are still parked outside Assemblyman Gianaris' home and district office, a constant reminder of the ongoing situation.

Statistics:

  • 100,000 residents of western Queens were affected by the power failure.
  • Tens of millions of dollars in losses were incurred by local merchants due to spoiled food and lost revenues.
  • The Queens blackout lasted for 9 days (July 17-26).
  • 10 major feeder cables failed due to unknown reasons.
  • Consolidated Edison's initial estimate of customers without power was significantly lower than the actual number.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, July 27, 2006.
  • New York Post, July 26, 2006.
  • Queens Chronicle, July 27, 2006.
  • Local residents and business owners in western Queens.

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