RATE INCREASE LETTER TO THE PSC

My family has lived on Ridge Road in Hartsdale for over 50 years. As you know, Con Ed has initiated aggressive “Tree Trimming” activities in our area that has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of acres of woodlands, as well as, the use of toxic herbicides to prevent re-growth particularly on the Catskill Aqueduct areas that end up in our drinking water.

Initially we were told that this was about concerns over power outages, however, since then, we learned that Con Ed has chosen to discontinue a policy of pruning and maintenance and has adopted a new 20 year maintenance plan without any regard for the impact on the environment or the quality of life of the residents in the surrounding area. Not to mention, the economic impact on property owners, particularly in densely populated suburban areas where visual buffering can add a significant value to one’s home.

Now that the trees are gone, the noise from the highway is twice the volume. Windows closed and the morning news on all we can hear is the thousands of cars driving by. We are forced to look and hear cars from every room of the house or put up window treatments to shield the view. Our house was designed to sit on the property with nature, 77 windows provided views that I have treasured through my lifetime. Our family has maintained and preserved the 3.5 acres on Ridge Road rather than slice it up, because we felt it was important to hold off thoughtless development. What to do now...live our lives with windows closed and ear plugs in?

For many of us it seems as if it is too late, I have gone door to door over that past few weeks speaking with my neighbors and our goal now to to stop further destruction and begin a massive replanting initiative on both public and private lands. We also insist that a natural sound barrier be planted along the Spain Brook Parkway in residential areas to muffle the the sounds of constant traffic and air pollution.

The thought that Con Ed would be awarded a rate increase seems unfathomable. Looking at their earning reports over the last 5 years, it seems that Con Ed has enjoyed healthy profits. As well as, receiving 180 million in stimulus money earlier in 2009 and then another 45 Million in Smart Grid Funding.

My understanding from reading the U.S.-Canada Power System Outage Task Force: Final Report on Implementation of Recommendations is that there were a number of causes for the 2003 blackout. While it was initially triggered in Ohio by tree limbs coming into contact with Conductors, it was also stated that these trees were in direct contact with power lines and had not been adequately managed. The conditions on that day in August could be called a perfect storm. High temperatures and windless conditions combined with increased amperage draw stressed the supply lines causing additional sagging, thus making direct contact with the poorly maintained trees. Also in the report it states that “Inadequate reactive supply was a factor in most of the events.” and “the assumed contribution of dynamic reactive output of system generators was greater than the generators actually produced, resulting in more significant voltage problems.” In other words the backup generators were not adequate to handle the amperage load or voltage needed. A lack of coordination of System Protection Programs(relays tripping), inadequate communication between Utilities, and lack of "training of operating personnel in dealing with severe
system disturbances" were also noted in the report as causes for the blackout.

Although tree contact was the initial cause of the black out in Ohio, the situation snow balled because the entire system was tenuous at best. The report stated that there were a greater number of instances of other system failures than there were instances of tree contact. I know what Con Ed has done about the trees, now I would like to know whether adequate back up generators have been installed? Has a computerized safety system been created and installed so that the utilities are aware when relays are popping? Is there an emergency protocol in place so that States can now communicate and cooperate in a coordinated effort in such an emergency? And finally, have the administrative employees and utility technicians been properly trained to deal with such a large scale blackout?

I still do not accept that Con Ed needs more money from us to update or repair a broken infrastructure. Shouldn’t that be Con Eds responsibility ? Why should it be my responsibility to maintain Con Eds equipment? Why aren’t they expected to spend their own profits to deliver a better product? In a time where the unemployment rate is above 10% and many people are close to losing their homes, it seems absurd that Con Ed would be looking for a rate increase. They stated on their web page that the a” typical residential customer paying $70 per month would see an increase of $12, or about a 17 percent rise”. But $70 per month is NOT the typical electric bill. I can tell you that my electric bill is $200+ a month since I moved back to Westchester in July and I live alone. I work a seventy hour week, and I don’t have air conditioners or leave my lights on. My Bill for November with heat added was $760.40. I have only 3 heat zones on and the thermostat is set from 63-65 degrees. Another 17 % seems out of step with our national economic outlook and is daunting at best. Moreover, as consumers we have no recourse, Con Ed the only game in town and it would seem that what they say goes. In the spirit of “CHANGE” I have testified twice about this rate increase and I ask that the Public Service Commission protect the public and deny Con Ed the rate increase. This rate increase is no different than an unruly bank industry that got us into our current recession.

I thank you for your attention and would welcome any opportunity to help further my efforts.

Respectfully,
Amy Kupferberg