The new CEO of NYPA, the largest publicly-owned electric utility in the nation with 18 generating plants around the State and 1,400 miles of transmission and distribution lines throughout the State chose, surprise, Long Island to announce NYPA’s new free weatherization blitz program. Yes, NYPA technically serves electric customers on Long Island in three villages—Rockville Centre and Freeport in Nassau and Greenport on the North Folk in Suffolk—villages with a combined 23,000 electric customers out of Long Island’s 3 million people and the State’s over 18 million residents.

Last year, NYPA’s board approved a $5 million grant to fund the weatherization kits which will undoubtedly help some low-income families to cut their fuel bills. That’s a good thing and Street Corner Conservative doesn’t quarrel with the intent of the program. But Richie Kessel dreams of finally being elected to office, specifically that of Nassau County Executive when the current occupant departs for greener political pastures. Thus, NYPA with its headquarters in White Plains and a primarily upstate mission chose Freeport, Long Island to announce this new initiative which NYPA’s press release said will assist 20,000 to 30,000 customers State-wide of which 875 or roughly 3% are on Long Island.

Street Corner Conservative wonders how long before upstate business and political leaders and media wonder why Buffalo or Rochester or Massena wasn’t the site of yesterday’s press event and, more pertinently, what Kessel’s appointment means for the struggling upstate economy. One also wonders what the reaction is at LIPA, which Richie Kessel formerly ran for over a decade, and which serves over 95% of Long Island electric customers. Local political historians may one day deem yesterday’s news conference the start of the latest Kessel campaign for Nassau County Executive.

This entry was posted on November 18, 2008 at 4:42 pm and is filed under Richie Kessel NYPA Watch. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.