Update:
November 2, 2011
The power outages that resulted from last Saturday's storm have left impacted customers understandably frustrated. Below is important information about this unusual fall storm and our restoration efforts.
Restoration Challenges:
- This storm caused more individual incidents of damage to PSE&G's electric infrastructure than Hurricane Irene.
- This storm was particularly damaging because, with leaves still on the trees, the heavy snow created considerable weight on tree limbs, bringing down numerous trees and power lines.
- In addition to major circuits, there were a larger number of individual service lines from our poles to customers' homes and business that were damaged.
- Service has been safely restored to 95 percent of the more than 571,000 customers impacted by the fall storm. 30,000 customers remain without power.
- More than 95 percent of customers will be restored by tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 3, meeting the state's goal set by Governor Christie.
- PSE&G is using every available resource to make repairs and restore electricity as quickly and safely as possible. Resources include 262 crews and troubleshooters, 116 contractor line crews and 240 tree crews.
- In addition to its own crews, PSE&G is receiving assistance from mutual aid crews from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
- Customers may see employees at a job site who are not responsible for repairing lines, but play an equally important part in the restoration process by assessing and reporting damage and guarding potentially dangerous downed wires to allow electric crews to focus on restoration work.
- Power is restored to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account "priority" customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, schools, and communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone). At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers.
- PSE&G has communicated outage and restoration progress to customers through: media updates throughout the day; press releases; updates on pseg.com; daily email alerts to residential and business customers who have provided email addresses, as well as municipal and community partners; phone outreach to municipalities, large customers and schools; Twitter; Flicker; and print advertising.
- Important safety information has also been distributed through all of the communication channels above and through radio ads on Sunday.
- The men and women of PSE&G, while experiencing similar hardships at home, have worked tirelessly. Their dedication is a testament to our 108-year tradition of commitment to the people of New Jersey. We will continue to work around the clock until every customer's lights are back on.