Orange and Rockland Utilities has been awash in troubles since 1993, when several executives were charged with illegally using its money for political influence and extravagant personal expenses.

Orange and Rockland Utilities reported 70,000 homes without power in those counties last night.

Rockland Utilities of New York, which serves part of northern New Jersey, will begin deregulation a year later.

The other pacts cover Consolidated Edison in New York City and Westchester County, and Orange and Rockland Utilities.

She was also the first woman to serve on the board of Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.

The company, Orange and Rockland Utilities, will also reimburse customers for money that it misappropriated, the District Attorney, Kenneth Gribetz, said.

Energy is delivered to more than four million customers through several distribution companies, including Consolidated Edison Company of New York, and Orange and Rockland Utilities.

He was reluctant to discuss whether the case against him was a vendetta by politicians who had been the targets of his inquiry into the local power company, Orange and Rockland Utilities.

His father is the chairman of Orange and Rockland Utilities in Pearl River, N.Y.

Orange and Rockland Utilities plans to begin a pilot program this summer to let customers choose their electricity supplier.