JCP&L Rate Hike Hearings Bring Criticism, Support

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 -- …

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JCP&L Rate Hike Hearings in Freehold Wednesday

Utility company petitioning state board for consumer rate increase

The state Board of Public Utilities is scheduled to hold a pair of hearings in Freehold Township on Wednesday on a proposed rate increase for Jersey Central Power & Light. The first meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Township Municipal Building, at Schanck and Stillwells Corner roads. The second meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at the same location. The utility company, roundly criticized for its response during Hurricane Sandy and the nor’easter that followed, wants a rate increase of 4.5 percent in its effort to raise $603 million the company says it needs to repair infrastructure damaged in hurricane’s Sandy and Irene. The company faces opposition. “We will speak for the hundreds of ratepayers who are tired of paying more for less …

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JCP&L Preparing for Arriving Storm

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, …

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County Says Sandy Delayed Seven Bridges Project in Little Silver

Demand on JCP&L following the storm delayed utility workers from getting to the Little Silver project.

It's almost starting to seem normal: the endless lines of traffic streaming along Prospect Avenue through downtown Little Silver when school lets out and having to loop well out of your way to get around town. That's probably a good thing, too, since Seven Bridges Road isn't expected to open until some time in mid-April after Hurricane Sandy caused delays to the project, the county said Monday. “Following the storm, our contractor evaluated the situation at the bridge and reassessed the schedule,” County Engineer Joseph Ettore said. “However, after resuming work and upon reaching the point in the schedule where the foundation piles for the bridge abutments were to be installed, the electric to the bridge had to be de-energized.” The demand…

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Hundreds Without Power in Little Silver

Transformers to blame for outage affecting more than 400

Hundreds of residents are without power in Little Silver in a widespread outage affecting Red Bank and Fair Haven as well. Red Bank Police Capt. Darren McConnell said several transformers blew when today's storm rolled in but JCP&L is already on scene. Utility trucks were witnessed in the area of Prospect Avenue and Harding Road, in and around the borough's borders with Little Silver and Fair Haven. The captain and JCP&L had no estimate as to when power may be restored but he did not anticipate the outage lasting well into the evening. There are a reported 438 customers without power in Little Silver. Almost 700 residents are without power in Red Bank and 382 in Fair Haven, as of 4:30 p.m. JCP&L does not report any outages in Oceanport. …

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UPDATE: Sunday Power Outage in Little Silver

JCP&L reports about 13 percent of customers are without power Dec. 16.

Updated: Power has been restored to all Little Silver JCP&L cutomers, according to the utility company's web site. The lights came back on around 1 p.m., according to a post on the Little Silver-Oceanport Patch Facebook page. About 336 borough homes are without power Sunday in Little Silver, according to JCP&L. According to its Web site, 13 percent of the utility's 2,654 cutomers are in the dark. Patch will provide updates as they become available.

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Peter W Bennett

4:05 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I am not surprised. What was the cause?   more ›

How Was Your Electric Service During Hurricane Sandy? BPU Wants to Know

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 …

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Rick

3:35 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Some towns like their pretty trees and won't allow the power companies to trim them away from the lines.   more ›

Hurricane Sandy

JCP&L Offers Customers Payment Plan Options In Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

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

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…

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JCP&L Offers Customers Payment Plan Options to Ease Impact of Hurricane Sandy

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

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…

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Tinton Falls Drafts Resolution Asking JCP&L To Improve Its Service

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 …

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