"To date, our primary focus has been getting the lights and heat back on in homes across the state," said Easley. "Now that we are nearly complete in that effort, we must review the recovery response to determine what went right and what needs improvement. I have asked Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty to chair a small group to closely examine the response to this most recent disaster.

"Sec. Beatty will work closely with agencies and private companies involved in the response and will provide me with an interim report no later than the end of January. I have asked Secretaries Hooker Odom, Tippett and Ross to participate on this task force along with Utilities Commission Chair Jo Anne Sanford."

Secretary Beatty will chair the task force and will be joined by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom, Department of Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Bill Ross and Utilities Commission Chair Jo Anne Sanford. The group will hold its first meeting next week.

In addition to reviewing the state's broad emergency response, Easley asked the group to look at several specific issues, including:

As a part of the review, the Utilities Commission will meet with utility providers early next week and will also conduct public meetings to allow for citizen input. This information will be shared with the task force.

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