Governor Paterson Taps LIPA Chairman for New York Public Service Commission

Uniondale, NY— Howard Steinberg Esq., partner in the national law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP today assumed the duties of Acting Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority following the resignation of LIPA Chair James L. Larocca. Mr. Larocca, who has served as LIPA chair since 2007 was appointed last week by Governor David Paterson and confirmed yesterday by the NYS Senate as a member of the New York State Public Service Commission, effective immediately.

LIPA Trustee Laurence Belinsky will take over Steinberg’s duties as chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Chairman Larocca,” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “During Mr. Larocca’s tenure as LIPA Chairman he helped guide us through tumultuous economic times. Jim has proven once again to be a great leader and given his long resume in public service he will no doubt be a terrific asset to the Public Service Commission and the residents of New York State.”

The appointment of LIPA’s new Chairman is one that will be made by Governor Paterson.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2008, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency of service interruptions, and ranked second for duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org.

Media Contact Information
Vanessa Baird-Streeter
Phone - (516) 719-9230
Cell - (516) 640-0168
Media Pager - (516) 229-7248
media.relations@lipower.org

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