On January 16, Jodie Lane was walking her dogs in the East Village of Manhattan. She stepped onto a metal plate in the street and was electrocuted, dying almost instantly. Con Ed, New York's electrical supplier, investigated and found that electrical current was leaking through the plate because of an improperly insulated wire. They subsequently inspected all of their manholes and service boxes in the city, finding numerous more "hot spots." Ms. Lane was killed by a shock registering 57 volts. Con Ed found "stray voltage" of up to 130 volts at other locations. Now Con Ed is facing severe penalties from the State, not to mention the likely lawsuit from Lane's family. I realize any money they end up paying will eventually be passed on to me and my fellow consumers, but I'm rooting for them to take a hit regardless. This story hit close to home for me. I have been known to walk the streets of New York on occasion myself, apparently putting me in the at-risk group for electrocution. The plate that zapped Lane is not far from my apartment. It's less than 2 blocks from where I used to live. It sits outside a restaurant at which I've eaten. I've played hoops in the playground across the street many times. How many times have I stepped on that plate or others which were leaking, maybe saved only by the soles of my shoes? I can't front; I was watching my step carefully for a couple weeks after Lane's death. That initial vigilance had worn off, but apparently Con Ed still has some work to do.