Joseph Byrne Thursday, November 15, 2012 |
Event amongst the trouble of getting the power restored to thousands of homes on Long Island, National Grid has seen it fit to promote a Long Island executive to lead its U.S. electric operations. Reuters is now reporting that John Bruckner, National Grid’s president of Long Island transmission and distribution, has been promoted to lead the firm’s U.S. electric operations.
As of now, National Grid hasn't commented regarding the promotion, but the report has said that the promotion had been announced internally at the company on Tuesday. Which coincidentally is the same day that LIPA COO Michael Hervey resigned under the heavy criticism of its handling of the power restoration throughout Long Island.
With two weeks gone since the superstorm came upon the shores of Long Island, New York, and New Jersey, there are still thousands of people struggling without any electricity and heat in these cold nights. With all of this going on, the promotion did not escape scrutiny among some Long Island officials.
“To promote somebody who was in charge of our transmission and distribution system at a time when that system itself has come under such criticism for being antiquated seems to be a little bizarre,” said Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi, R-East Islip. “It seems bizarre they would promote somebody after we’re going through all of this here.”
There are also some questions being risen about the upcoming transition of the electrical power grid from National Grid to PSEG. The contract runs out in 2014 and LIPA, National Grid, and PSEG are also in the middle on intense talks.
“The fact is we have another year plus under National Grid’s oversight,” Cilmi said. “The more important question is who is going to oversee the Long Island system for the next year and ensure a seamless transition to PSEG?”
This question is all the more important now as power needs to be restored in many homes still.
joeb@longislandyellowpages.com Appears In: Business News
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