New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele blasted a propaganda mailing sent out by PSEG-LI this past week. The glossy, full colored, 6 panel mailer to PSEG-LI/LIPA customers touted how much customer satisfaction has improved under PSEG-LI according to a J.D. Power survey. Thiele stated, “It is so over the top with the facts, it would make Brian Williams blush.”

Here is what the costly mailer does not say:

1. In the 2015 J.D. Power Survey released on January 14, 2015, PSEG-LI ranked last in the nation with a score of 595 out of 1,000. That would be 95th out of 95 utility companies surveyed across the nation.
2. PSEG-LI is the only utility company to score below 600. The national average is 677. PSEG-LI is 595 in the 2015 survey.
3. When PSEG-LI claims improvement, it is comparing itself to customer satisfaction ratings during Sandy and Irene as well as the Great Recession. For example, in 2012 the national average was 625 and LIPA was 552.
4. Today, PSEG-LI is 82 points below the national average. In 2012 LIPA was 73 points below the national average.
5. The fact is, the survey is measuring that nationally customers are less angry today than they were right after two of the worst hurricane seasons and the worst economic downturn in recent history.
6. There has not been any great improvement in customer satisfaction on Long Island when compared to the national average.

Thiele added that the 2015 J.D. Power survey was also released before PSEG-LI requested the biggest rate increase in the delivery charge portion of the electric bill since LILCO.

Thiele stated, “PSEG-LI is last in the nation in customer satisfaction and has the chutzpah to ask for a rate increase and send out a mailer to its customers telling them how satisfied they are. By the way, don’t you think customers can figure that out for themselves without a costly mailing? Last place finishes should not be rewarded. Unfortunately, PSEG-LI and LIPA are judge and jury in determining the rate increase.” In 2013, Governor Cuomo said, ‘You have to operate the utility better. LIPA’s answer to everything is more money. We don’t have more money. You can’t keep putting your hand in the pocket of the ratepayers. That’s not the answer. The answer is, use the money you have better.’ I agree.”