Like many Long Island institutions and homes, 黑料吃瓜资源 (CSHL) was affected by the extensive outages due to Tropical Storm Isaias. Lack of timely and accurate communication from PSEG Long Island, the local power company, caused CSHL to rely on its own emergency generators. That put tens of millions of dollars of active biomedical research, including COVID-19 research, at risk. Steve Monez, CSHL鈥檚 chief facilities officer, is advocating for PSEG to develop better communications protocols (pdf) to prevent future damages and loss of research during outage situations.
On August 18th, NY State Senator James Gaughran held a press conference at CSHL, where he called on PSEG to be held accountable for their lack of communication. 鈥淐SHL is critical infrastructure on Long Island and must be considered as such,鈥� Senator Gaughran said. 鈥淎s we gear up for what public health experts are projecting is going to be an increase in COVID-19 cases this fall, and what scientists are warning is going to be an active hurricane season, we must continue demanding better from PSEG.鈥� CSHL is grateful for the Senator鈥檚 help in bringing attention to this issue and for advocating for better communication that will protect crucial research.
Monez testified at the on August 20th, discussing how the aftermath of the storm was exacerbated by the inaccurate power-restoration time estimates provided by PSEG. He also advocated for , sponsored by Senator Gaughran, which will create a process for the Public Service Commission to require compliance and level a civil penalty, including the revocation of a service provider鈥檚 authority to operate within the state, if the provider does not follow the commission鈥檚 orders related to fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.
Written by: Sara Roncero-Menendez, Media Strategist | [email protected] | 516-367-8455