As Hot Weather Continues, So Do Power Problems In Some Areas

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As Hot Weather Continues, So Do Power Problems In Some Areas
06/09/2008 08:56 AM
By: NY1 News

The steamy weather in New York City continued for a third day Monday, causing hundreds of residents throughout the five boroughs to struggle without electricity as others pushed through the evening commute with subway disruptions.

Service on the F, A, G, N and Number 7 subway lines was delayed during the evening rush due to power problems, but the MTA reported most lines were back to normal operation by nightfall, with some residual days.

ConEd said Monday night that a number of Borough Hall, Flatbush, and Sheepshead Bay residents were without power and could be that way until Tuesday afternoon.

Portable generators were deployed as Con Edison crews worked to restore power to those areas.

In Yorkville, Manhattan, Con Ed asked customers to turn off all non-essential appliances while the company repaired a problem causing a eight-percent reduction in voltage. The affected area ran from 77th Street to 111th Street, from the East River to Fifth Avenue.

Store owners in Boerum Hill, which was without power from Sunday night through Monday morning, said the loss of power cost them business.

"Easy I could lose a couple thousand dollars," said a store owner who was without power since 10 p.m. Sunday. "We lost the meat products, cheeses, the dairy."

"We lost about $300 to $400 an hour," said another. "Plus, we have a lot of supplies we have to throw out."

Local lawmakers say the utility has an obligation to help those affected.

"The business that relies on Con Ed's power, when the power goes off and they lose tens of thousands of dollars, that's Con Ed's fault," said Councilman David Yassky. "They should make it good."

"Unfortunately, we've seen this before - and seen businesses shuttered as a result of Con Ed's ineptitude," said Councilman Eric Gioia. "How much more do we need to put up with before we say enough's enough? New Yorkers expect and deserve better than to have their subways delayed, and homes and businesses without power whenever the temperature rises. This is what happens when an under-regulated monopoly runs amok."

Residents added that it was not easy facing the heat without fans or air conditioners.

"It was horrible, horrible," said one resident, whose husband uses an oxygen tank to breathe and had little left in his emergency supply. "He couldn't breathe. He had to take it off for a little while because he didn't want to waste it."

Con Ed says some businesses and residents affected by this outage qualify for compensation. Residents may file a claim, up to a maximum of $450, for actual losses of food spoiled due to lack of refrigeration. Receipts or photos are needed for any claim over $200.

Businesses can get compensation for losses up to $9,000 for perishable items spoiled due to lack of refrigeration. Claims must include an itemized list and proof of loss and be filed within 30 days of the date of the power outage.

Those who think they qualify for some compensation from Con Ed can go to the utility's website at: www.coned.com, click on Customer Central, and then Claims.

With the humidity making it feel as hot as 100 degrees in some parts of the city, the state issued an air pollution advisory for the city on Monday afternoon.

The Health and Environmental Conservation Departments say the problem is ozone, a major component of smog.

The city has set up cooling centers throughout the five boroughs to help residents stay cool during the heat wave. For a list of locations, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/oem.