New York regulators on Tuesday issued an order approving Consolidated Edison’s (NYSE:ED) emergency response plan (ERP) after the utility restored language related to communications (21-E-0567).

The Public Service Commission in May approved such plans from all the other investor-owned utilities in the state, but rejected Con Ed’s filing “due to concerns regarding Con Edison’s removal of certain language from its existing approved ERP and the lack of additional improvements reflected in other utilities’ amended ERPs.”

The commission determined that without such language, there was a potential that Con Ed’s emergency responsiveness might suffer detrimental impacts during future events.

Unlike the other utilities, Con Ed did not file an amended ERP, even after several meetings with Department of Public Service staff to discuss possible resolutions. It initially had proposed notable changes to how it classifies certain events and had removed specific language in several sections of its ERP filed in compliance with an earlier commission order.

Much of the deleted language reflected existing practices or processes that should continue to be used, such as language regarding its meteorologist and storm classifications, the commission said.

Con Ed negotiated with DPS staff to include a small set of modest amendments to augment its ERP, which now also incorporates language on proper communication with customers, emergency management officials and government representatives. The added language includes clarifications related to contacting life-support customers who are without power because of an event.