News Summary: Push on to protect grid from floods
News Summary: After Sandy, push on to better protect NY, NJ power grid from coastal flooding
NEW YORK (AP) -- AFTER THE FLOOD: After a stunning coastal surge during Superstorm Sandy, power utilities and building owners in New York and New Jersey are eyeing ways they can better defend electrical infrastructure against future flooding.
WORK UNDER WAY: Some flood-damaged skyscrapers in Manhattan are already getting a retrofit, with transformers, electrical panels and other equipment getting moved to higher floors.
ENORMOUS COST: NYC utility Consolidated Edison says building better flood defenses in the most flood-prone substations could cost $800 million. NJ utility PSE&G says installing "smart meters" to pinpoint customer outages could run $600 million. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently asked Congress for $2.7 billion to help pay for improvements.
