LIPA oversight bill awaits Cuomo's OK

A bill creating what lawmakers call the first meaningful oversight of the Long Island Power Authority now awaits only Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's signature.

The State Senate Tuesday unanimously approved the LIPA Oversight and Accountability Act -- which would allow ratepayers to file complaints about the utility to regulators -- following the Assembly's passage of the bill earlier last month.

"This is a win-win all around, especially for the long-suffering ratepayers of LIPA," said Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), co-sponsor of the bill, with Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson).

Sweeney and LaValle worked for months with Cuomo's staff to draft the legislation. Upon becoming law, it would trigger an immediate forensic audit of LIPA, to be conducted with public hearings in both Nassau and Suffolk counties, by the state Department of Public Service or its contractor.

Meanwhile, the state Consumer Protection Division would handle all ratepayer complaints, mediating or referring them to agencies authorized to take action. Currently, LIPA and its contractor, National Grid, field all complaints.

"Many times, ratepayers get very frustrated, and don't have any place to go," LaValle said. "They'll be very pleased with the in-depth oversight that is going to take place, and they should be pleased their governor brought this together."

Cuomo is expected to sign the bill into law early this month, LaValle said. A spokesman for the governor did not comment Tuesday.

LIPA spokesman Mark Gross declined to comment, saying the legislation wasn't final.

But it was welcomed by people who have criticized the utility's customer service.

"Hopefully, this will finally force LIPA to have the accountability they should always have had," said Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna Jr., who criticized LIPA's response in his village to Tropical Storm Irene. "There seems to be a monopolistic attitude that really stymies the ability to get things done in a timely fashion."

Elizabeth Rizzo, whose family LIPA erroneously billed as commercial customers for 11 years, has called the utility's tone with ratepayers arrogant.

"I can't tell you how happy I am," the East Patchogue resident said of the oversight bill's passage. "It makes you feel like you do count, that you do have a voice."