Rep. Gottheimer Wants Answers Following Utilities Storm Response

WYCKOFF, NJ — Rep. Josh Gottheimer is demanding answers from local utility companies on their response following the nor'easters that hit North Jersey in recent weeks.

Gottheimer and Mayor Brian Scanlan toured storm-damaged areas in town late last week. He also discussed with Scanlan his call to Orange and Rockland Utilities and Jersey Central Power & Light, to improve their storm response and coordination, because they did not deliver on estimated times given to local mayors and residents.

People in Wyckoff and the surrounding area were without power for days following the two late-season storms.

“I am deeply thankful to our first responders, crews, emergency management coordinators, and mayors, who, as always, have gone the extra mile to restore power to thousands of 5h District families," Gottheimer, a Wyckoff native, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, their dedication on the ground is not being matched by the leadership of our utility companies. We’ve seen massive mismanagement among our utility companies. We need to continue to put pressure on them to improve their storm recovery efforts to get the lights on now — and find ways to prevent this from happening again in the future.”

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Photo: Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Mayor Brian Scanlan assess damage in the Knolls at the corner of Martom Road and Van Houten Avenue. Courtesy of Rep. Josh Gottheimer's office