New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today criticized PSEG-Long Island for ongoing, persistent power surges and service interruptions causing significant financial damages to small businesses and Southampton Village equipment along Jobs Lane. PSEG-LI has denied claims submitted by businesses, claiming they are not liable.

Power surges and service interruptions occurred on September 8th, 2013, November 17th, 2013, September 22nd, 2014, December 8th, 2014, and December 30th, 2014. The interruptions were caused by things such as defective bolt connectors, failing transformers and various other “unpredictable equipment failures.” During these outages, equipment such as computers, furnace controls, credit card machines, lighting, restaurant food storage units, and surveillance cameras were damaged. Single businesses have had damages amounting up to $60,000 and the Village of Southampton has had to replace nearly $10,000 in equipment.

While PSEG-LI “strives to provide regular and uninterrupted power supply,” it is inevitable sometime issues will arise; however, in the case of Jobs Lane, the same issues continue to occur and interrupted service seems to be the norm.

The businesses who have submitted claims to have damage reimbursed have received denial letters stating that PSEG-LI’s liability is precluded under LIPA’s Tariff for Electric Service.

Assemblyman Thiele noted, “I’ve said it a thousand times, and I’ll say it again- The LIPA Reform Act did absolutely nothing. PSEG is not more accountable to its ratepayers or the small businesses that hold the East End’s economy together. PSEG-LI must grant these claims and pay for the damage they caused.”