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Volume XX • Number 7 • February 14 - 20, 2013 •
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City looks into putting power lines underground By MIAWLING LAM City Hall lawmakers will consider moving overhead power lines underground in vulnerable neighborhoods in order to prevent widespread electrical outages during powerful storms. The New York City Council voted 49-0 on February 6 to authorize a study that would examine the feasibility of burying cables in all five boroughs. Under the bill, the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability would determine specific locations where laying utility lines below ground would be the most effective. The study, which is expected to take six months, would also determine the estimated per-mile cost of moving the lines underground, examine network reliability for both types of power distribution and analyze weather-related outages over the past five years. Upon completion of the study, the results will be submitted to the mayor and the Council for consideration. According to the City Council, the bill was sparked by the tremendous toll caused by superstorm Sandy, a historic storm that left nearly 2 million residents without power. While parts of the city served by underground utility lines typically had power restored within a few days, several Bronx neighborhoods
Last weekend’s snowstorm had little effect on the area’s power supply. But concern mounts over what might occur due to some future, more destructive storm. including Riverdale, Pelham Gardens, Baychester and Wakefield, all with above-ground cables, were left in the dark for weeks. “I welcome this study, which is particularly relevant to my district, where the existence of overhead power lines in Fieldston resulted in a large number of outages and long delays in restoring power to
that community,” Councilman G. Oliver Koppell said. “I have already asked Con Ed to bury the lines underground in Fieldston, and I believe the results of this study will bolster my request.” Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn said superstorm Sandy showed just how vulnerable overhead utility lines were during
severe weather conditions. She said climate change was an undeniable reality and that it was time to consider safeguarding the city’s infrastructure. “Transferring existing overhead lines underground is an expensive proposition, and that’s why it makes sense to identify specific neighborhoods that would
benefit from this the most and to determine how much it will cost to relocate power sources in these areas,” she said in a statement. “This is what our proposed forward-thinking study aims to determine.” Con Ed authorities have previously said that burying all 35,000 miles of overhead wires in New York City would cost $60 billion. Despite the costs, Queens Councilman and Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie said it was vital that lawmakers took action. “The study that this legislation mandates will give us a better understanding of where power lines can be, and need to be, moved underground to help prevent people from losing power when future Sandys hit our shores,” he said. The City Council’s response comes almost a month after Con Edison agreed to provide an additional power supply in Spuyten Duyvil to stem the frequency and duration of electrical outages. The extra power supply, which will be installed by December, is designed to alleviate the chronic blackouts that plague residents on parts of Independence Avenue, Kappock Street and Palisade Avenue. The utility company agreed to make the service improvement on January 11, following a meeting with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and concerned neighbors.
Bill de Blasio, mayoral hopeful, endorses Cohen for City Council By MIAWLING LAM The endorsements are starting to roll in for City Council candidate Andrew Cohen, who is hoping to succeed term-limited incumbent District 11 Councilman G. Oliver Koppell. New York City Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio is the latest heavyweight to throw his support behind the Riverdale resident and Community Board 8 member. Standing in front of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center in Norwood last Friday, de Blasio said he was compelled to support Cohen because of the candidate’s work as a lawyer and community board member. “One of the things I think about a lot is what kind of leadership we need in this city going forward, what’s going to help us to have a more just city, a city government that responds better to our people. And I think that in terms of this community, Andy Cohen is unquestionably the best choice,” de Blasio said. “Andy is someone who is profoundly ready to be a great councilman who understands the community, who has the heart, who has the work ethic and also who has labored in the vineyards.” There are currently two other Democratic candidates in the race: Fieldston School track coach and businesswoman Cheryl “Shelley” Keeling and the leader of the
boycott against the Riverdale Review, Cliff Stanton. However, de Blasio said his endorsement was a nobrainer because Cohen blitzed his rivals with his record of achievement, intelligence, integrity and energy. De Blasio also vowed to help drum up support for Cohen regardless of the weather, referring to the frosty conditions during the press conference. “I will walk through sleet or snow or rain to help Andy Cohen get to the City Council,” he said. “I am certain he will serve these neighborhoods in The Bronx well, and I think he will make a big impact for the whole good of the city as well.” Cohen said he was honored to receive the public advocate’s backing, considering their mutual support for critical issues such as paid sick leave and the living wage bill. In addition to picking up de Blasio’s endorsement, Cohen was given a lesson on the art of hand gestures from the political veteran. Prior to the formal proceedings, de Blasio joked around and instructed Cohen on how best to behave in front of the camera. “You have to do the chopping motion and the numbers. If you’re at a public works site or something, you have to do the pointing. That’s very important,” he said, Continued on Page 2