In response to being left in the dark for 10 days, Con Ed is offering its customers in western Queens a paltry $100. That is a mere $10 a day. It is better than nothing but just barely. The offering to businesses is even less generous $200 to $350.
Many businesses that depend on refrigeration lost far more than that in the sweltering heat. Added to the loss of stock is the loss of potential profit. This was a nightmare for the small business owner and even $350 can hardly be called compensation.
The reimbursement can be deducted from future Con Ed bills.
Oh yeah, Con Ed is also sending an apology. Try sending an apology instead of paying next month's bill. The power company is protected by state law that is intended to keep utility companies from going into bankruptcy.
Fair enough. Nobody likes Con Ed, but nobody wants to see the company go bankrupt. At the same time, the state should set limits on compensation paid to utility executives. Con Ed has reportedly boosted the compensation paid to its chief executive to $5.5 million. How can they justify paying a multimillion-dollar bonus to the boss when some of its customers were forced out of business by the utility's incompetence?
