The Long Island Power Authority has announced a new outage communication tool that will allow customers to report electrical outages at their home or business via texting from their mobile device. LIPA’s Power Out? Text It In mobile texting initiative is the first in the state of New York and will provide customers with another avenue of communication for service interruptions. In addition to reporting an outage using the texting feature, LIPA customers can receive information about their outages, and planned work going on in their neighborhood by mobile text, email or both.

“We live in a real-time world and our customers want real time information. We are pleased to be the first electric utility in New York State to offer the capability of texting in your outage and receiving outage updates through text messaging,” said Michael Hervey, LIPA chief operating officer. “LIPA will continue to look for new ways such as this mobile texting application to push the technology envelope and deliver information to our customers through multiple channels."

In addition to the mobile texting feature, LIPA customers can still report power outages through LIPA’s web site or by calling 1-800-490-0075. To register your cell phone text REG to myLIPA (695472) or visit http://www.lipower.org/mylipa.

LIPA has also created new social media channels: LIPAStorm Facebook page and @LIPAStorm twitter feed. While customers will not be able to directly report outages through these sites, customers will be provided with safety and preparedness tips, restoration updates and other important information regarding outages and restoration process and progress status during storms. The LIPAStorm Facebook page and @LIPAStorm twitter feed build on LIPA’s on-going pledge to enhance its communication opportunities with its customers and adds to an already wide array of social media initiatives including: