Unlike PSE&G, JCP&L Won't Reimburse For Spoiled Food, Medication

Hey, Jersey Central Power & Light: PSE&G changed its mind, and is now reimbursing customers for spoiled food and medicine due to the power outages. Why can't you do the same?

That's the message from Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone, who represents New Jersey residents from Woodbridge down to Long Branch, areas widely serviced by JCP&L.

On Tuesday, Pallone demanded JCP&L reimburse customers for food and medications due to widespread and prolonged power outages in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias.

As a result of the Aug. 4 storm, an estimated 1.4 million residents in New Jersey lost power, including 788,000 JCP&L customers.

As the Middlesex County Patch sites reported, PSE&G announced this week it will reimburse its customers up to $250 for lost food, and a maximum of $300 for spoiled prescription medication. PSE&G said it would be reimbursing any customer who lost power for 72 hours or longer between August 4 and 12. Claims can be filed until September 16, and residents will need to provide proof of loss, such as photos of spoiled food.

However, a JCP&L spokesman said it will not be doing the same, as JCP&L has a long-standing policy to not cover food losses.

You could try to file such a claim under your homeowner's insurance, he said.

"Damages from major storm events like Isaias are typically covered under homeowner insurance policies because they are considered an act of nature. JCP&L’s policy and its tariff do not provide for reimbursement of customer damages or losses involving acts of nature," said JCP&L spokesman Cliff Cole.

Not reimbursing for spoiled food is "an approach that’s consistent across our industry," said Cole, and PSE&G appears to be unique in their decision to reimburse customers.

Tariffs for electric and gas service filed with the state of New Jersey make all electric providers not liable for damages out of their control. In past storms, PSE&G did not reimburse customers and only changed its mind this week, announcing Monday they would reimburse customers.

Pallone still would like JCP&L to follow PSE&G's lead. He wrote the following in a letter sent to JCP&L's executives this week:

“I strongly urge JCP&L to take responsibility and follow the lead of other utility providers which are reimbursing customers for lost food and medications in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias,” wrote Pallone. “JCP&L appears to have taken far longer to restore service to far more people than other utilities in the state; it is completely reasonable to reimburse customers for loss due to the unreasonable amount of time your company took to restore power. Unfortunately, your failure to do the right thing during this difficult time for your customers is consistent with other shortcomings your company has with reliability and communication. It is time for this to stop and for your focus to turn to furnishing adequate service to your customers, not just profit for your shareholders.”

A copy of his letter is available here.

Pallone has represented New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District since 1998. "NJ 6" stretches from Carteret and Woodbridge into Edison, New Brunswick and down to Asbury Park. It hugs the Bayshore coastline, including towns such as Aberdeen, Matawan, Hazlet, Sea Bright and West Long Branch.