Senator Bateman Wants Utilities To Pay Back Customers For Outages

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Utility companies could have to reimburse customers for lost food or medications requiring refrigeration during extended power outages under a new bill introduced by Senator Kip Bateman.

"The lights in our state have been going out more frequently, and for longer durations," said Bateman, of district 16 which includes parts of Somerset and Hunterdon County. "Not only is that an extreme inconvenience for those who lose power for days, it can also be a costly one as perishable foods and prescriptions spoil in the heat. If the power companies cannot restore electric service in a reasonable time, 48 hours, they would be liable to pay for the loss."

Bateman's bill, S-2836, comes following the most recent Tropical Storm Isaias that left more than 5,000 residents in Hillsborough and Montgomery without lose power on Aug. 4. Restoration did not occur for some until the following Monday or Tuesday. Read More: Restoration Not Expected For Days In Hillsborough, Montgomery

Warren officials recently expressed their displeasure over JCP&L's response in the township after not receiving power for five days to residents. Read More: Warren Officials Express Displeasure Over JCP&L's Storm Response

JCP&L understands the frustration people without power had, JCP&L spokesman Clifford Cole said.

Cole noted that Isaias rose to the level of Hurricane Sandy in terms of the damage left behind. More than 8,000 JCP&L crew members worked to bring power back to customers in the state since the storm on Aug. 4.

"Our crews were working to restore power as quickly as they could," Cole said. "They had large amounts of damage with large trees in the area coming down on electrical equipment."

Within 72 hours, JCP&L was able to restore power to 80 percent of its customers and all customers by Aug. 10, according to Cole.

Under the bill, a utility customer could recover up to $500 for spoiled food and up to $1,000 for the cost of compromised prescription medications. Customers would be required to submit an itemized list of spoiled goods and proof of loss to the electric utility under the measure.

"This bill would create an additional incentive for power companies to get the lines charged quicker," said Bateman. "There is no excuse for electric customers going without lights for as much as a week or more, but that has been the reality for too many New Jerseyans recently."

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