Taking aim at salary, legal and consulting expenses, Long Island Power Authority Chairman Kevin Law has ordered a review of the agency's books to determine where cuts can be made.

The review will be carried out by a new governance committee and recreated audit and personnel committees. The committees were approved at LIPA's board meeting in Uniondale on Thursday.

Law said he hopes the process will lead to at least modest rate cuts.

"We are going to do whatever we can," Law said.

Chief among Law's proposal is a look at salaries and bonuses. Law added some outside consultants will be replaced by in-house staff. In addition, LIPA will rely more on the state attorney general's office for legal defense, rather than private firms.

Law also addressed the much-criticized charitable donations that LIPA previously made while Richard Kessel held the reins.

"It's nice to be able to give to boy and girl scouts, little league," Law said. "But, after all, this is ratepayers' money."

Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Manor Park) attended the meeting, bringing attention to his legal battle to have the Public Service Commission review LIPA rates and surcharges.

"The Long Island ratepayers deserve to have LIPA's books opened up," Alessi said. "Every other utility across New York state has a rate review." Click here to see what LIPA could be doing to save ratepayers money