LI Leaders to Testify on LIPA's Storm Response

High ranking state and local leaders are set to testify before Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Moreland Commission on Tuesday, with much of the focus on scrutinizing the Long Island Power Authority's response and preparation to Superstorm Sandy.

Nassau County Ed Mangano, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, New York Power Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Quiniones, AT&T New York President Marissa Shorenstein and Long Island Rail Road President Helena Williams will appear before the commission, created by Cuomo in the weeks following the storm's punishing assault on the East Coast, as experts on the utility's performance after the disaster. The panel is also expected to make recommendations for restructuring LIPA.

The hearing, set for 6 p.m. at SUNY College of Old Westbury's Student Union Center, is open to the public.

In addition to the discussion about LIPA, the commission will look at how other utilities in the state performed and whether there should be broader restructuring.

On Long Island, where LIPA manages the region's electric delivery, anger has run very high over the utility's response to Sandy, drawing criticism from the governor, the county executives and many town supervisors. In the wake of that scrutiny, several LIPA leaders have stepped down, including the board's Chairman Howard Steinberg and acting-CEO Michael Hervey.

Can't make the hearing? Let us know what points you would make about the utilities in our comments section below.