newjerseynewsroom.com

Christie finally gets mad and tells utilities to wrap it up quickly

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

In a conference call with the heads of three New Jersey electric utilities Saturday, Gov. Chris Christie obtained a pledge by Jersey Central Power & Light to halt automated calls that inform homes and businesses that their power has been turned back on, when the residents are still sitting in the dark and cold.

“Of serious concern are reports that customers are being told their power is restored, but are not receiving power in their homes,” the governor said. “As the last remaining New Jerseyans without power are brought back online, JCP&L has committed to me to end the practice of automated restoration alert calls and to make these calls with live operators to ensure these types of problems are identified and met as quickly as possible."

A week after the so-called Halloween snowstorm, approximately 10,100 homes and businesses served by JCP&L, Public Service Electric and Gas and Orange and Rockland Electric remained without power late Saturday afternoon.

Christie said it is important that the utilities restore power completely by Sunday evening. He called any additional delays unacceptable.

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“While the overwhelming number of affected customers have had their power restored, it is imperative that full restoration efforts finish by the end of this weekend without exceptions," the governor said. "Any further delays are unacceptable to me and unacceptable to those New Jerseyans who have demonstrated significant patience in the aftermath of the storm.

“If there is any failure to meet this timetable, I will consider taking appropriate action in consultation with Board of Public Utility President Lee Solomon,” Christie said.

The governor’s comments were the first hint of any official anger toward the utilities. Throughout the week he offered no criticism as thousands of New Jerseyans waited for their power to be restored.

PSEG told Christie that fewer than 1000 of its customers remain without power, with 100 percent restoration expected by Saturday night. JCP&L reported that approximately 9,000 of its customers remain without power, with 100 percent restoration expected by Sunday night. Orange and Rockland reported that fewer than 100 of its customers remain without power, with full restoration expected by Saturday night.