As much as $50 million is being set aside to respond to storms in the 2011 budget. That's a $23 million increase over this year's reserve. The increase means the typical customer will see bills increase $1.50 a month.
The utility says the past two storm seasons have been unusually severe.
LIPA chief operating officer Michael Hervey says he'd rather be overprepared the next time a storm threatens Long Island.
About $54 million of the $180 million spent this year on storms is expected to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
