I have completed my review of “Long Island Power Authority by the Numbers-A Public Authority in Transition” issued yesterday by the New York State Comptroller’s Office. It is a thorough review of the activities of LIPA since the “so-called” 2013 LIPA Reform Act was enacted. The report highlights many of the problems that this public authority continues to encounter. It also confirms the fears that I raised in 2013, when I voted against this ill-considered measure in the State Assembly.

The report confirms what ratepayers already know: (1) Rates continue to rise. (2) Debt continues to rise. (3) Oversight is lacking. (4) It is unclear whether service or reliability has improved. (5) Customer satisfaction is the lowest in the nation. (6) The customer satisfaction gap between it and other utilities continues to grow.

It is ludicrous for the Department of Public Service (DPS), who is supposed to provide some limited oversight over LIPA, to call this a success. We are currently facing a substantial rate increase that Long Islanders can’t afford. DPS has bungled the review with major mistakes and has totally lost public confidence.

The State Comptroller report deserves serious scrutiny by the public and members of the State Legislature. It is time to reform the reform. I current sponsor legislation which would (a) allow the ratepayers to elect the LIPA Board, (b) return financial and legal oversight to the State Comptroller and State Attorney-General that existed before the LIPA Reform Act, and (c) expand the authority of DPS-LI to review rate cases. I also co-sponsor legislation that would create a State Office of Utility consumer Advocate.

During the off session, I will be reviewing this legislation and consulting with members of the Long Island delegation with the goal of introducing a revised legislative package that addresses the issues raised by the State Comptroller that has bi-partisan support that can pass the State Legislature.