Thursday, April 25, 2013
Final hearing on a 4.1 percent increase for state's second largest utility
The sixth and final hearing on a request for a rate increase by the state’s second largest utility company met with a mix of praise and criticism for Jersey Central Power & Light Wednesday at Freehold Township’s Town Hall. JCP&L, fresh off widespread criticism for its handling of Hurricane Sandy and the Nor’easter that followed, is seeking a 4.1 percent increase in the rates it charges its 1.1 million customers – many of whom were without power for up to two weeks after this winter’s storms. The Morristown-based company, the main power supplier in Monmouth, Ocean and Morris counties, is seeking to recoup the $630 million it spent on repairs following Sandy. It has petitioned the state regulatory board -- the Board of Public Utilities -- …
Monday, March 18, 2013
Utility installing components at operations center in Morristown
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Monday, March 18
JCP&L is taking steps to improve its ability to communicate with first responders during a large-scale emergency. The utility will install components of the New Jersey Preparedness Emergency Communication Network at its regional dispatching operations in Morristown and Red Bank, spokesman Ron Morano said Thursday. The facilities manage the daily work on the company's electrical system and provide coordination when repair crews are dispatched during widespread power outages. “Participating in this system will enhance our ability to share real-time critical information with our customers, communities and first responders during emergency situations,” JCP&L President Don Lynch said in a news release. “Joining this system is one of the many …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Utility Company bringing in extra crews to combat outages.
With at least a few inches of snow expected to fall in our area and strong winds blowing through JCP&L is preparing for any possible power outages with the approaching storm. According to information provided by Howell Township Manager Helene Schlegel the company has already taken several steps to prepare for the storm that could include not only precipitation but also winds with gusts of up to 60 MPH. JCP&L said they are also taking the following additional steps: • Bringing in more than 120 line personnel and hazard responders from FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities to support restoration efforts • Securing 120 tree contractor crews to respond to tree-related conditions • Communicating with emergency management officials, state officials, …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Assemblyman Sean Kean wants state's second largest utility to begin raising or moving lowlying substations
Assemblyman Sean Kean is repeating a call for Jersey Central Power & Light to present a plan to raise power substations prone to flooding during major storms. Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, in a release last week said that the utility company in December said it would present a plan to raise power substations that flooded or nearly flooded during Hurricane Sandy. In the release Kean specifically mentioned the Glendola substation in Wall, where he is also the municipal attorney, and substations in Sea Girt and Manasquan. Encroaching water threatened the latter two stations in the November storms, while the Glendola station was inundated. Substations convert electrical power from high voltage to low — or low to high voltage — and distribute it …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Three pieces of local legislation target the state's second largest utility company
The Township Committee on Wednesday is set to vote on three pieces of local legislation targeting the state’s second largest utility company. The first is an adapted version of a resolution being passed in numerous towns in Monmouth County. It outlines 10 suggestions to make JCP&L a more responsive company, culled from a meeting attended by officials from several Monmouth County towns and held in Tinton Falls on Nov. 19, according to Jeffry Bertrand, township administrator. The second is the codification of a strongly worded open letter sent by Mayor Jeffrey Foster and the Township Committee, Bertrand said. The letter called JCP&L’s response to the storm “atrocious’’ and suggested that the company institute a Incident Command System, …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
If your electric service was out for weeks, you can vent at a series of statewide BPU hearings
In some parts of the state, the power outages after Hurricane Sandy lasted for more than two weeks. Now the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) wants to know what consumers think about how their local electric utilities handled the hurricane. The BPU is seeking public input in a series of public forums throughout the state. Public hearings involving the performance of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) are scheduled. The next is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 at Hopatcong Middle School. These are just the beginnings of hearings that will held statewide, said BPU spokesman Earl Pierce. "We're still deciding the schedule. There will be more set up throughout the state," Pierce said. The BPU also is accepting comments via email …
Friday, December 7, 2012
In addition to payment plan arrangements there is a 'promise to pay' extension of up to 10 days beyond the due date printed on the latest statement
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Friday, December 7, 2012
JCP&L has revised its payment plan options for customers who may need help paying their electric bills in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. “Hurricane Sandy was a devastating storm and continues to be a financial hardship for many of our customers,” said Ronald Green, vice president of FirstEnergy. Payment plans can be more flexible than the current installment plan arrangements and revised plans will remain in effect through March 15, 2013. “Whether it be lengthening the payback period or reducing the down payment amount, our goal is to tailor the payment plan options to better assist customers in the hardest hit areas,” Green said. The revised payment plan arrangements for JCP&L customers are: For customers in New Jersey who might need a…
State's second largest utility company faces harsh criticism while asking for $31 million rate hike
The Township Committee at its next meeting is planning on coming in locked and loaded with local legislation targeting the state’s second largest utility company. Three resolutions aimed at Jersey Central Power & Light’s response to Hurricane Sandy are being drafted and should be ready for a committee vote at its Dec. 12 meeting, officials said. The first is an adapted version of a resolution being passed in numerous towns in Monmouth County. It outlines 10 suggestions to make JCP&L a more responsive company, culled from a meeting attended by officials from several Monmouth County towns and held in Tinton Falls on Nov. 19, according to Jeffry Bertrand, township administrator. The second is the codification of a strongly worded open letter …
Monday, December 3, 2012
Resolution stems from comments recently made by Monmouth County town officials
Tinton Falls Mayor Michael Skudera has drafted a resolution asking Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) to improve service to its towns and customers. The resolution stems from comments and suggestions made by various Monmouth mayors and officials at a regional summit held in Tinton Falls last month to discuss how JCP&L handled Hurricane Sandy. "Mayors and representatives from more than 20 municipalities where represented in this meeting and their comments and concerns have been reflected in this resolution," Skudera said in a release. Officials at the meeting criticized JCP&L's lack of communication and information with their towns and agreed that the utility company should make some changes. "(Middletown) Mayor (Tony) Fiore and I fully …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Township Committee continues criticisms of JCP&L's performance
Effective communication and selfless teamwork enabled Wall Township's government to keep residents safe as the state suffered through superstorm Sandy, officials said Tuesday night. "Everyone stepped up to the plate," township Administrator Jeff Bertrand said at the regular meeting of the Township Committee. "Volunteers are the backbone of this township," Mayor Jeff Forster said in agreement. Committee members, residents and department heads lauded the efforts of staff and volunteers at the meeting, the first regular session since Sandy made landfall and knocked out power to much of Wall for almost two weeks. Officials also reiterated their dissatisfaction with JCP&L's performance and pledged to pressure the company to improve its …
Walter McInerney
3:19 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
JCPL deserves nothing. I saw the elec guys waiting for the tree cutters -> poor mgt. JCPL & FEMA were not coordinated, nor was JCPL coordinated with the out of state assistance. I saw guys who wanted to work, standing around. Why would politicians support JCPL? more ›