LIPA coming under fire for spending millions on consulting fees

LIPA is coming under fire for the way the utility is spending tens of millions of dollars it collects from ratepayers.
Assemblyman Marc Alessi says LIPA spent almost $60 million on consultants over the last five years. Alessi says the money was focused on examining LIPA's plan to buy certain KeySpan power plants ? in an effort to save customers money. But a spokesperson for LIPA Chairman Richard Kessell claims the numbers are completely erroneous.
Meanwhile, LIPA will hold two public meetings Tuesday about its planned purchase of certain KeySpan assets. One will be held at LIPA headquarters and the other at Suffolk Community College.