Long Island Power Authority - LIPA

Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Long Island, NY

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) provides power to 1.1 million customers and its transmission and distribution system was severely impacted when Superstorm Sandy knocked out service to 90% of consumers.  

LIPA restored power to all customers capable of safely receiving power within 16 days, but the work on LIPA’s grid continued long after the immediate storm recovery, including efforts to strengthen the transmission lines and protect distribution components from extreme weather and protect Long Island residents from outages and inconveniences during major storms. 

As part of New York’s recovery, Jay successfully negotiated an unprecedented $1.7 billion award from FEMA allowing LIPA to build resiliency into the electric grid become more resilient in the event of major coastal flooding or severe storms.  Work included hardening the grid, strengthen transmission lines along the Long Island Railroad, as well as elevating and protecting flood prone and at-risk 32 substations.