WPCNR WEATHER SCOOP. By John F. Bailey. July 25, 2006: A spokesman for Con Edison announced to The CitizeNetReporter that news reports on WCBS Radio 880 and in The Journal News today and the policy they told WPCNR yesterday was incorrect and that Westchester residents without power last week due to the severe thunderstorms on July 18-19 and July 21 would not be reimbursed for food spoilage unless the damage was related to failure of Con Edison equipment. Storm damage causing outages due to fallen trees on lines is not covered according to Chris Olert, of Con Edison Media Relations.

The reversal in policy was uncovered by The CitizeNetReporter when we heard the wCBS report AT 3:55 P.M. that Westchester residents would no longer have to supply receipts to get food spoilage refunds up to $350. WPCNR called to confirm the report and was told by Mr. Olert WCBS was wrong.

The  policy Con Edison had told the CitizeNetReporter yesterday and the Journal News that Westchester residents suffering from tornadoes, heat-related blackouts, or outages caused by a streak of severe thunderstorms would receive reimbursement for food spoilage has been reversed.