Just one day after its takeover of our region’s electric grid from LIPA, PSEG Long Island is facing the onslaught of the first major snowstorm of 2014.

With warnings of blizzard conditions and coastal flooding from the National Weather Service, the new utility company says it is closely monitoring the track of winter storm Hercules and is making emergency preparations should it deliver heavy snow and gusty winds to our area.

"The buck stops with us," Dave Daly, president and chief operating officer of PSEG-Long Island stated in his recent Newsday OpEd, describing PSEG-Long Island as a local company. "We're going to be judged by our customers."

Preparations by the utility to respond to power outages include ensuring that all available personnel are ready to take action and that all vehicles are fueled and ready to go. In addition to its own skilled workforce, the utility is arranging for additional contractors and tree crews. It is also testing generators at utility locations and working to ensure that additional, poles, transformers and other critical supplies are on hand.

Additionally, the PSEG Long Island website provides Long Islanders with important information about how to stay prepared and safe before, during and after a storm. Customers also can report outages, view the utility’s outage map and secure information about storm restoration.

Power outages also can be reported by calling PSEG Long Island’s service line at 1-800-490-0075; and those with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at www.psegliny.com.

In addition, if outages are widespread, the utility will provide updates on their Twitter Page, to keep the public informed about its restoration progress.

In light of LIPA’s poor performance, taking weeks, and in some cases months, to restore power to many customers in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Daly has promised to offer Long Islanders a best-in-class utility in terms of customer satisfaction in five years or less.

Let’s see how the new company performs this time around.

For the most up to date weather information, visit the LongIsland.com Weather Center, and for the latest information on local school closings and delays, go to LongIsland.com’s School Closings Page.

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[Sources: PSEG Long Island]