Hearings Set on JCP&L's Irene Response

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has scheduled hearings to solicit public comments on how power companies prepared for and responded to Hurricane Irene.

Some towns, including Montville, expressed frustration with how Jersey Central Power & Light, the company that provides electricty to the township, communicated during outages that affected about 2,000 customers in town and lasted, in some cases, for days.

The hearings are scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27.

Lee A. Solomon, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, wrote in a letter to local officials earlier this month that he was "appalled" by how towns described JCP&L's response. He said the state would "investigate and review thoroughly the conduct of all utilities and their parent companies during this crisis."

"If adequate preparations were not made in advance of the storm, or adequate resources not dedicated to deal with its aftermath, we will determine that and hold the utility(ies) accountable," he wrote.

Montville Mayor Jim Sandham said the township worked through representatives of the Governor’s Office, state representatives and Morris County Freeholders, as well as direct contact with JCP&L, to accelerate the power restoration process and to raise concerns about the apparent lack of information to residents.

"While we believe we had some impact, nonetheless we are happy that the BPU will be seeking input to address the concerns," Sandham said in a statement. "We hope all affected citizens will submit their concerns to the BPU."

The hearing locations are listed below, and additional hearings are being scheduled, the state said.

• Monday, Sept. 26, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan (use Reserved Meeting Room Parking off Alexander Drive)
• Tuesday, Sept. 27, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Ave., Morris Plains, NJ 07963

Written comments may also be submitted, prior to Oct. 28, via email to board.secretary@bpu.state.nj.us or in writing to:

Kristi Izzo, Secretary of the Board
Board of Public Utilities
PO Box 350
Trenton, NJ 08625-0350