Tree Trimming to Prevent Power Outages

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) is currently trimming trees along 3,400 power lines in New Jersey, the company announced this week.

Regular tree trimming helps prevent power outages, said Anthony Hurley, JCP&L vice president of Operations. JCP&L contractors are inspecting trees that grow along power lines, making sure they are pruned so branches stay away from lines. Trees that present a danger of falling on lines, or are diseased, may also be removed.

“In 2015, we saw an 11% decrease in tree-related outages compared to the previous year. It’s important that we continue tree trimming practices that help reduce the frequency and duration of power outages," he said.

To that end, JCP&L is spending $28 million to trim trees in the 13 counties it provides power to in New Jersey.

For the month of April, here are the 70 towns JCP&L will be working in:

• Burlington – Chesterfield Township, North Hanover Township, Pemberton Township and Wrightstown Borough
• Hunterdon – Bethlehem Township, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Holland Township, Lebanon Township, Raritan Township, Readington Township and Tewksbury Township
• Mercer – Hopewell Township, Robbinsville Township and West Windsor Township
• Middlesex – Cranbury Township, Borough of Jamesburg, Monroe Township, Old Bridge Township, Sayreville Borough and Borough of Spotswood
• Monmouth – Aberdeen Township, Borough of Allenhurst, City of Asbury Park, Borough of Atlantic Highlands, Borough of Bradley Beach, Borough of Englishtown, Freehold Township, Township of Hazlet, Holmdel Township, Howell Township, Borough of Interlaken, Manalapan Township, Borough of Manasquan, Marlboro Township, Borough of Matawan, Middletown Township, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Borough of Red Bank, Borough of Sea Girt, Tinton Falls Township and Wall Township
• Morris – Borough of Chatham, Chatham Township, Borough of Chester, Chester Township, Denville Township, Hanover Township, Harding Township, Mine Hill Township, Borough of Mount Arlington, Borough of Morris Plains, Town of Morristown, Borough of Mountain Lakes, Parsippany Troy-Hills Township, Randolph Township, Roxbury Township and Washington Township
• Ocean – Borough of Bay Head, Borough of Beachwood, Berkeley Township, Brick Township, Borough of Island Heights, Jackson Township, Lacey Township, Lakehurst Township, Lakewood Township, Manchester Township, Borough of Point Pleasant, Plumsted Township, Township of Toms River, and Borough of South Toms River.
• Passaic – Borough of Ringwood and Borough of Wanaque
• Somerset – Bernards Township, Borough of Bernardsville and Borough of Far Hills
• Sussex – Andover Township, Frankford Township, Green Township, Montague Township, Sandyston Township and Stillwater Township
• Union – Borough of New Providence
• Warren – Allamuchy Township, Blairstown Township, Hackettstown, Hope Township, Independence Township and Washington Township