JCP&L Defends Response, Residents Want Answers on Outages

Two JCP&L representatives attended Bedminster's township committee meeting Monday to provide input to residents of the Hills on why power outages are becoming so commonplace.

“This is not going to be a discussion on the hurricane. Instead, this will be completely separate. Neighborhoods in The Hills have experienced outages more frequently,” said Mayor Steven Parker. “Why is that happening?”

John Anderson, JCP&L area manager, said the size of the area is a factor.

“The Hills is so large, and the electrical load is so significant in the area," he said. "There’s multiple circuits and substations."

Subsequently, Vince Cells, a member of the reliability and engineering group at JCP&L, used a slideshow presentation to explain the technicalities.

“The Hills section is fed from five substations and five circuits,” he explained.

Going over the company axioms, Cells explained what steps they take to ensure the utmost reliability for local residents.

The preventive maintenance programs JCP&L uses, according to Cells, are: vegetation management, conducted every four years and last done in 2013; thermovision inspections, using infrared radar to detect hotspots, conducted on a four-year schedule and last completed in 2012; overhead visual inspections, done every five years and last completed in 2011; wood pole inspections, done every 10 years and last completed in 2012; and spot inspections, completed when necessary.

“The wires (to the area) are all overhead, along Route 206, until it gets to the neighborhood (Four Oaks) itself,” added Anderson. “There’s a lot of variables that play into reliability.”

Differences in the duration of outages, along with the severity of damages, all are factors that help determine how quickly the company can make repairs, Anderson said.

Also, differences between “major events” and “blue sky day” events play into the length in which the electrical company can maneuver towns back into power.

“Outage history also drives reliability programs,” Anderson said. “So make sure you report your outage.”

Though a post-Irene upgrade to the JCP&L website now allows for real-time updates on outages and easier ways to report them, sometimes there is only so much the utility company can do.

“In certain instances, it may not be the answer you want to hear,” said Anderson. “But we’re hoping that the issue near Wood Duck Pond is somewhat within the bounds of normalcy.”

Resident Tim Bradshaw stepped to the floor to voice his discontent with the outages.

“We’ve just learned to live with it,” he said. “But you need to know that this is happening.”

The president and treasurer of the Four Oaks Neighborhood Condominium Association, Carol Gutschall, said, “It’s very stressful to know that this is happening, especially because we all have equipment on and running.”

“We’re out longer than anyone else," she added. "There’s something wrong with our area."

Before the uneasiness spread, Anderson added that the reason he was in attendance was solely for constructive purposes, to collect valuable feedback. He urged residents to keep in mind that the area is still prone to traditional challenges, because it is relatively rural with a high tree density.

“It sounds like we need to be a bit more formal and vigilant,” said Parker. “By the end of summer, hopefully we can come back and take a look at this.”

From a municipal perspective, the representatives clarified that the town was doing everything in its power to help this issue get cleared up.

“Just remember: Trees, trees trees!” stressed Anderson. “If you have one property owner that doesn’t get clearances (it can ultimately knock power out).”

“A circuit is only as strong as its weakest link,” he added. “But Bedminster’s been great (in response).”

The town and utility company plan to work together to extend public awareness on the matter, and the representatives are planning to look acutely at all of the lines under scrutiny.