Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today sent a letter to Jersey Central Power & Light Company (JCP&L) demanding that the company explain the frequent electric power outages New Jersey residents have experienced over the last two weeks. In the letter, Pallone expressed concern that the outages were not related to weather events, but rather to equipment substation failures caused by the company’s insufficient investment in its infrastructure.
“On the eve of a potentially deadly snowstorm, I am deeply concerned that JCP&L is not prepared to fulfill its commitment to provide reliable and resilient power to New Jersey residents. New Jersey is experiencing one of the coldest winters in recent memory, and these electric outages put the lives of New Jerseyans at risk. I’m calling on JCP&L to provide more information about the cause of these outages and what they plan to do to prevent them in the future,” Pallone said. “While I am deeply grateful to the JCP&L employees who worked diligently to restore power to residents in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties, it’s incumbent on JCP&L’s leadership and management to answer for these recent outages and provide a plan to ensure they are doing everything they can to ensure consistent and reliable service to residents.”
Pallone demanded answers from the company executives no later than February 11 on the number and root cause of the power outages, including the location, duration and number of customers impacted by the electric power outages this month. He also requested the company detail its plan to repair, replace, or upgrade its equipment to prevent electric power outages in the future.
In August 2020, Pallone sent a letter to JCP&L, blasting the company’s abysmal response to electric power outages in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias. In that letter, Pallone demanded answers on why the company continued to fail to adequately prepare for and respond to major storms.
A copy of the letter is available here.
Original source can be found here.
