Coronavirus in NY: Con Edison utility workers deal with new normal during pandemic

Like many companies during the pandemic, Con Edison was forced to make changes to continue serving New York City. However, the mission remained the same--to keep the lights on for New Yorkers.

News 12 Staff

Dec 24, 2020, 12:22 AM

Updated 1,384 days ago

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Like many companies during the pandemic, Con Edison was forced to make changes to continue serving New York City. However, the mission remained the same--to keep the lights on for New Yorkers. 
John Constable, the senior mechanical engineer, is one of roughly 30 to 50% of Con Edison employees working remotely full-time. 
Initially, Constable says, it slowed down work to big projects like the refurbishing of the transmission system he’s currently overseeing. But, that didn’t keep one of the largest energy suppliers in the world from making sure more than three million customers across the city and Westchester County had electricity and gas. 
When storms hit, like Isaias over the summer, Constable returned to the field to support the response and does so as needed. 
All of this while adhering to pandemic safety protocols, like wearing a mask and gloves. 
“Really a big effort, you’re talking about half of the company working remotely,” said Constable. 
Constable was also part of the team at the West Farms Con Edison facility that created 40,000 face shields during the pandemic’s peak--that went to front-line health care workers. 
He says balancing his essential work, while supporting other essential workers, is a testament to the resiliency of New Yorkers.