Posted on 07/16/2019 7:48:17 AM PDT by robowombat
Con Ed: Relay Protection System Failed, Leading to Blackout in New York City
July 15, 2019
NEW YORK—A relay protection system that should have isolated a faulty distribution cable, but didn’t, led to the loss of power that darkened Manhattan for several hours, Con Ed said Monday, July 15, in a preliminary review.
The relay system at a West 65th Street substation should have kept the problem that started in a nearby distribution cable from spreading by detecting the electrical fault and directing circuit breakers to de-energize it, Con Ed said in a statement.
Instead the electrical fault was isolated at a transmission substation at West 49th Street, which led to the Saturday night power outage.
The blackout affected thousands for about five hours along a 40-block stretch that included some of Manhattan’s busiest areas like Times Square and Rockefeller Center.
It also created a political problem for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was in Iowa for his presidential campaign at the time.
On Monday, he continued to fend off criticism.
De Blasio said on MSNBC that he was in frequent contact with agencies handling the emergency and that he thinks first responders did an “incredible job.”
De Blasio sidestepped criticism from numerous quarters, including from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow Democrat. A front-page New York Post editorial called for de Blasio’s ouster.
During an appearance Monday on “Morning Joe,” de Blasio insisted that the blackout response was well-managed with his remote supervision. No injuries were reported from the blackout, he said, noting that power was back on within several hours.
“It doesn’t matter where you are, you’re in charge of your team and making sure people are executing a plan,” said the mayor, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president. “The important thing is to get the right people into the right place.”
De Blasio said he took a four-hour car ride from Iowa to Chicago and got on the first available plane home.
Cuomo, speaking on public radio Monday morning, said he would leave it to the voters of New York City to pass judgment on de Blasio’s response, but added that “there’s no substitute for firsthand information and firsthand knowledge” during an emergency.
“People want to see their leader on-site, in charge, in control, and it makes people feel more confident,” Cuomo said. “There is no substitute for showing up.”
Cuomo ruled out the suggestion, raised by The Post’s editorial, that he use his authority to remove de Blasio from office.
He used it as an excuse from the embarrassment in Iowa. He was the number Idiot out wandering around when he was in IOWA.
Let me see, 4 hour car ride, at least a three hour airplane ride, perhaps more. Back in command in 8 hours when the matter was taken care of without his oversight. I guess if he were there calling the shots, the blackout would still be going.
Are they being honest with the public or like many, trying to protect the public from information which would cause them to live in fear??
What if the breakdown in the relay system was caused by an Antifa type, maybe a terrorist wanting to test their capabilities?? I don’t want to sound like a conspiracy hack, but we have seen police agencies and other public agencies hide facts they thought the public couldn’t handle or shouldn’t know.
Not mentioned by anyone. Travis Staten Island lost power yesterday for a short time. Coincidence? Just wondering
The tard is so insular that anything beyond the George Washington bridge is uncharted territory. He probably fancies himself as a latter day George Rogers Clark braving the wilderness.
Here's a message for Hizhnor: They have airports and airplanes in Iowa, serviced by major airlines, with regular scheduled flights and everything!
Oh, the huge manatee!!!!!!!!
Geez, NY, get over yourselves. The power goes out all the time. Throw a dart at a map and guaranteed that spot has had a power outage within the past year. It’s not like it wasn’t back on quickly. No one died. No one resorted to eating their neighbors. Bunch of big whinies.
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