Following a major power outage that affected Ozone Park, Howard Beach, and surrounding South Queens communities, Pesach Osina, the Democratic nominee and Independent candidate for State Assembly District 23, is calling for a full review of all local utility infrastructure throughout Southern Queens to determine what upgrades are needed to prevent outages of this scale from happening again.
The outage left more than 10,000 residents in South Queens without power during extreme summer heat, creating serious concerns for seniors, families, small businesses, and vulnerable residents.
“This outage was unacceptable,” Pesach Osina said. “When more than 10,000 residents lose power during dangerous heat, it is not just an inconvenience. It is a public safety issue. People rely on electricity for air conditioning, medical devices, refrigeration, communication, and basic daily needs. Our communities deserve better.”
During the outage, Osina was on scene and remained in direct communication with the New York City Office of Emergency Management, Con Edison, and local officials to help relay new information to constituents and make sure residents received updates as quickly as possible.
“I would like to thank the Con Edison crews who worked tirelessly on the ground throughout this heat wave for their swift response to this outage. From the workers who endured extreme conditions underground to repair damaged infrastructure to those who distributed dry ice to residents across South Queens, their dedication helped our community during a very difficult time.”
Osina said the outage speaks to a larger problem South Queens residents know too well.
“Southern Queens has always been treated like the stepchild of the city,” Osina said. “We are often the first to be hit by problems and the last to receive help. Whether it is flooding, public safety, healthcare, or now our power grid, our communities are too often expected to wait. That cannot continue. We have been paying our fair share, the utility rates keep rising, yet we are not receiving the same quality service as the rest of the state.”
Osina said that while emergency response is important, the larger issue is making sure South Queens has the infrastructure needed to handle the demands of today’s climate.
“Record temperatures are becoming the norm, and our electrical grid must be able to respond to that reality,” Osina said. “We need a serious review of Con Edison’s infrastructure in Ozone Park, Howard Beach, and across South Queens to identify weak points, make necessary upgrades, and protect residents from future outages.”
Osina also thanked emergency management officials, Con Edison staff, local leaders, and community members who helped check on neighbors and shared important information during the outage.
“In moments like this, Southern Queens shows its strength,” Osina said. “Neighbors checked on neighbors, our first responders worked to keep our communities safe. Now we need accountability and action so this does not happen again.”
Osina is urging Con Edison to provide a clear explanation of what caused the outage, what steps were taken to restore power, and what long-term improvements will be made to strengthen the grid in South Queens.
