Web link to this morning's virtual hearing on Power and Communication Failures from Tropical Storm Isaias. https://nystateassembly.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&event_id=2665 …
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Why is it so hard for legislators to understand that all utility costs are paid by ratepayers? If you "fine" a utility, it will just pass that "cost of business" to its ratepayers. Utilities have no costs, they only have return on equity (i.e. profit).
People should understand that utilities aren't the ones who resist underground cables. In fact, utilities would love to spend money on undergrounding, since that is capital expense, rather than vegetation management, which is an expense. They get ROE only on capital, not expense.