THEY'RE STILL WORKING ON IT

Fall Storm Restoration Progress - November 1, 2011, 9:00 pm

Service has been restored to 88% of the more than 570,000 PSE&G customers impacted by power outages from Saturday's wet, heavy snow that brought down numerous trees and power lines. Crews will continue to work around the clock until all customers have power.

PSE&G expects to meet the state's goal of having at least 95 percent of customers restored by Thursday. At this time, about 67,000 customers are without power with the majority of these in Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties.

This storm caused more individual incidents of damage to PSE&G's electric infrastructure than did Hurricane Irene. There is a larger number of service lines that are damaged as a result of falling tree limbs. Repairing the significant number of single lines from the poles to customers' homes and businesses presents the greatest challenge with this storm.

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 line contractor crews and 240 tree crews working to restore power.  In addition to its own crews, PSE&G is receiving assistance from mutual aid crews from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.

Electric crews work to restore power 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.

Important Safety Reminders:

• Downed wires should always be considered "live."  STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES.  Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything with which it might be in contact.  To report a downed wire or other visible equipment damage, call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734). Provide the street as well as the nearest cross street.
• Check on the well-being of elderly neighbors.  See if they are safe and if they need extra blankets or other help.  Contact local officials if assistance is needed.
• Do not try to use a gas oven or range to heat a room. The appliance will deplete oxygen from the air, causing asphyxiation or deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Be cautious when using space heaters.  Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and heed warning labels.  Be sure all members of the household understand how to operate space heaters safely.