PSEG LI clarifies procedures for inspections after outages

PSEG Long Island, after angry protests from local governments, has clarified its emergency procedures to assume the primary role in making sure customers' homes and buildings are properly inspected before power restoration after storm-related outages.

The decision, in a draft letter to county executives, towns supervisors and villages Wednesday, released local governments from that responsibility -- unless they choose to be involved. The proposed new policy states PSEG will determine whether an inspection by a certified electrician is required before electric service is restored.

"We're making it very clear -- it's a call for us" to make, David Daly, PSEG Long Island president, said in an interview Thursday.

He said LIPA's bylaws make clear the utility's role in such a scenario. "It says LIPA/PSEG is responsible for dealing directly with customers and we have a right to require customers to get an inspection," Daly said.