Tell Albany: Hands Off Our Electric Grid!

Virginia Sea Grant; Flickr

Your voice is needed at hearings on Long Island opposing a government takeover of your electric grid Wednesday April 19, Thursday April 20, & Friday April 21.

The state legislature created a commission to study the idea of having the government power authority, LIPA, take over operation of Long Island’s electric grid, which serves over 1 million customers. Albany’s commission is looking for excuses to have the government takeover your electric utility – enabling government to push radical energy policies that drive up costs and reduce efficiency with no check on that power.

The results of a government takeover would be higher costs, more debt for taxpayers, less accountability for the utility, and more control over your life for Albany politicians, all at a time of high inflation. These public hearings have been delayed, but your opportunity to speak up is now.

Tell the commission: Hands off Long Island’s Grid! The hearing dates & locations are:  

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM

LIPA Commission Hearing: Suffolk County

Location: Suffolk County Legislature, 725 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Smithtown, NY 11787

Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 2:00 PM

LIPA Commission Hearing: The Rockaways

Location: Rockaway YMCA, 207 Beach 73rd Street, Arverne, NY 11692

Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM

LIPA Commission Hearing: Nassau County

Location: Nassau County Legislature, 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501

If you speak up, we can avoid the disasters of government-run electricity:  

  • LIPA overspends. According to the Empire Center, LIPA has slashed its headcount by 37%. Meanwhile, its payroll has grown by 21%. The idea that prices will go down simply because it is no longer paying PSEG is misleading at best.
  • LIPA has millions of dollars in debt, which would simply become the responsibility of the government. Debt is not something that can just go away with a government takeover, as LIPA still has a responsibility to its creditors. 
  • There is an idea that government-run energy would be more “accountable.” Simply put, the notion that any government agency would be more accountable to its customers than a private company is downright laughable.
  • Government-run utilities, such as Los Angeles’ Department of Water and Power, have proven to cost significantly more than private companies. 

Tell Albany: No High-Cost Government Takeover of LIPA! Attend a hearing and make your voice heard.

*If you are unable to attend, you can use the points outlined above to submit written testimony at: http://www.nylipa.gov/public-input