LIPA/KeySpan Conclude 3rd Annual Island-wide Emergency Drill
Businesses, Municipalities and Residential Consumers Across Long Island Took
Time to Reduce Electric Use & Plan for Emergencies
Hicksville, NY – June 2, 2006 – The Long Island Power
Authority (LIPA), and KeySpan successfully conducted its third annual island
wide “I’m Ready” emergency preparedness drill today.
Businesses, municipalities and residential customers around Long
Island voluntarily reduced electric use between the noon and 3 PM to demonstrate
an active involvement in the emergency planning process. Nassau and Suffolk
counties also participated by conducting emergency drills at their respective
command centers in response to a mock Category II hurricane.
LIPA estimates that voluntary electric use reductions by its
customers today reduced electric use island-wide by about 60 to 70 megawatts.
Had the day been as warm as yesterday, the savings would have reached 100
megawatts (MW).
The “I’m Ready” drill also encouraged LIPA’s customers to go to
its Web site to answer a brief emergency preparation survey as a way of
reinforcing the need to plan ahead and practice family and business emergency
response plans. As of 2:30PM, more than 2,600 online surveys had been completed.
The LIPA KeySpan drill is believed to be the largest of its kind
in the nation. It is designed to encourage LIPA customers to plan and prepare
for a major emergency such as a Hurricane Gloria-like storm. Hurricane Gloria
occurred 21 years ago and was the last full-strike hurricane to hit Long Island.
“Our goal is to heighten awareness of the overall need for the
public to be prepared in advance for an emergency,” said LIPA Chairman Richard
M. Kessel. “Whether it’s a major storm or a terrorist attack, Long Islanders
must be ready to respond and cope. We appreciate the fact that major businesses
and municipal governments across the island, as well as residential customers
took the time to plan ahead for an emergency.
“One of the primary lessons of Hurricane Katrina that we must
take to heart is that individuals must take the time to plan for a hurricane
well in advance. Know what to do in an emergency and practice. In the long run,
it could save lives,” said Mr. Kessel.
“We all know our greatest defense in an emergency situation is
to be prepared,” said Tony Nozzolillo, KeySpan Executive Vice President of
Electric Operations. “Just as KeySpan’s workforce readies all year long through
drill and training classes, we hope that Long Islanders take this opportunity to
create their own emergency plan and ensure that it works for them.”
“Prepare a plan and practice it,” said State Senator Michael
Balboni, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and
Military Affairs. “It’s vitally important that we all know what to do in an
emergency and we need to be able to take action at a moment’s notice. Today’s
Island-wide drill helps to drive home that message.”
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