The aftermath of the July 2006 Long Island City blackout
LICA demands an immediate moratorium on all new building here. Stop allowing our politicians to welcome development which strains the power grid and lowers the quality of life in our neighborhood.
Some pertinent comments on the issue….
"The electrical network for the area of Queens where 100,000 people endured a lengthy blackout had the most failures of any of the 57 underground networks in New York City for the last two years, according to statistics that Consolidated Edison provided to state regulators."
"Company documents show that the Long Island City network - a series of 22 high-voltage feeder cables that supply power to 115,000 customers, or nearly a half-million people, in western Queens - has been problematic for years. It had some kind of breakdown 71 times in 2005 and 60 times in 2004, more than any other Con Ed underground network in both years."
The New York Times, July 26, 2006
"Con Ed’s standard answer of "we’re working on it" is yet another lie in their web of lies. They have neglected to upgrade the power delivery systems supplying Sunnyside, Long Island City and Astoria for years - resulting in many [home/apt.] fires that Con Ed refuses to take responsibility for." - Resident
"The power failure in western Queens was not only a question of capacity, but it was also the result of the inadequate electrical distribution network in Queens. Single-family homes are demolished and replaced with multi-story complexes. Neighborhood overdevelopment without a complete up-grade in the energy distribution system will only result in future blackouts. Example, Demolish historic St.Saviors Church in western Queens and replace it with 71 units in old neighborhood. Mayor Bloomberg should declare a moratorium on building until area power needs are reviewed by an independent panel of experts." - A New Yorker
