New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed legislation that would increase penalties and requirements for utility companies during power outages.
Cuomo said the measure is a response to the devastation following Tropical Storm Isaias earlier this month that left many residents without power for over a week.
“The laws are too protective of the utility companies and that has to change,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo said companies need to do a better job communicating extended outages with customers to give them accurate information for power restoration.
Utility companies currently face fines starting at $100,000 for their failure to respond to power outages properly.