The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
photo courtesy of Ridgewood EMS
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village has notified PSE&G about the many roads that are still blocked by fallen trees, which are caught in wires. These downed trees will be attended to by the Village’s Shade Tree Division after PSE&G has confirmed that the wires are no longer live.
Continue reading Village of Ridgewood PSEG Updates and Road Clearing
photos by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Parks and Shade Tree Divisions, along with the Streets Division, are working diligently to remove the downed trees from the streets. They will continue to work during the day and into the evening, until all streets have been cleared. CAUTION: ALWAYS ASSUME ANY WIRE ON THE GROUND IS LIVE AND STAY AWAY! CALL PSE&G AND IDENTIFY ITS LOCATION SO THAT THEY CAN SEND SOMEONE TO CHECK IT. Downed trees which are caught in wires will be attended to after PSE&G has determined whether or not the wires are live.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G Storm update: As of 10 a.m. #PSEG crews have restored power to approximately 185,000 customers affected by the storm. We are coordinating mutual aid with out-of-state utility companies to help restore power to the roughly 55,000 customers still affected.
The restoration process gives priority to returning service to as many customers as quickly as possible; repairs are made based on the number of customer affected. For local estimated restoration times, visit https://spr.ly/6188Exskr and click on the outage map.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fair Lawn NJ, Several homes in the Radburn section of Fair Lawn lost commercial electric power early Saturday evening, 10/13, after a large tree fell on Ruskin Road, Fair Lawn. No injuries were reported, but at least two (2) vehicles and single family homes were damaged by falling branches. Fair Lawn Police responded to the incident.
At least one of these vehicles hit a utility pole. This knocked out power to at least part of the surrounding neighborhood. Were they responding to the same call at speed, one on East Glen, one on North Van Dien? No wonder the two officers were transported to the hospital–the impact must have been tremendous. Any update on how these officers are faring?
file photo by Boyd Loving
March 23,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) crews and contractors will depart for Atlantic County today to help Atlantic City Electric restore power to thousands of customers affected by the fourth nor’easter this month. New Jersey’s largest utility will dispatch 132 electric line and support personnel from different locations throughout its service territory this afternoon. PSE&G already released the nearly 200 out-of-state mutual aid workers it had secured in advance of the storm to assist ACE.
The PSE&G contingent will arrive in Mays Landing, N.J. where workers will receive their assignments from ACE. They are expected to work in ACE’s service territory for the next two days.
“Although our service territory was spared the brunt of this storm, southern New Jersey wasn’t so lucky,” said John Latka, PSE&G senior vice president of electric and gas operations. “We restored power to about 7,300 customers and are now in a position to assist our neighboring utility do the same for their customers. Our employees know how important it is to get the lights back on.”
The PSE&G crews are expected to work 16-hour days to repair damaged electric lines and safely restore power to thousands of customers still in the dark from the recent storm.
ACE reached out for mutual aid — assistance that allows for the sharing of resources such as labor and equipment during emergencies. The hosting utility reimburses for associated costs.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
June 22,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington Twp, A large limb fell from a tree located near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Van Emburgh Avenue in Washington Township on Wednesday afternoon, 06/22, igniting a significant brush fire, snapping a utility pole, knocking out electric, cable and telephone service to several homes, and closing a portion of Washington Avenue for an extended period. Washington Township PD, FD, and EMS units responded to the incident. Traffic control assistance related to the road closure was provided by HoHoKus PD units. PSE&G and Cablevision crews were also observed working in the area.
January 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD NJ ,Yesterday more than 500 PSE&G customers in the Village of Ridgewood lost power on Sunday due to an outage.
The outage was first reported by PSE&G at 11 a.m. The area effected was around Linwood Avenue and Oak Street . The Village website reported that
Costs for outage at Ridgewood facility keep rising
WEDNESDAY MARCH 12, 2014, 9:45 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The previously approved spending plan created for emergency repairs at Ridgewood’s water pollution control plant has ballooned to nearly $24,000 – rising almost $9,000 above the costs that were estimated in January. The increasing price tag as well as discrepancies in vendor invoicing have drawn recent criticism from members of the Village Council as well as local taxpayers.
Top public works officials said a backup generator at the facility had been damaged and failed to start during a widespread power outage on New Year’s Eve. As a result, personnel manually diverted the incoming water flow to a primary clarifier, where it was held.
According to plant officials, power was restored moments before the untreated sewage would have been released into the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/249730451_Costs_for_outage_at_Ridgewood_facility_keep_rising.html#sthash.USp89bMX.dpuf
file photo by Boyd Loving
PSE&G Braces for Another Winter Storm
February 12, 2014
(NEWARK, NJ – Feb. 12, 2014) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is preparing for the approaching winter storm system expected to hit the region tomorrow morning through Friday morning, bringing with it snow and a wintry mix.
Up to a foot of snow accumulation is possible in some areas. While snow usually isn’t an issue for utilities, the possibility of sleet and freezing rain can increase the likelihood of downed wires and resulting power outages. Vehicles striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down.
In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is ensuring that all available personnel are ready to respond beginning tonight. The utility is also arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce, and ensuring that additional supplies such as poles and transformers are on hand.
PSE&G offers the following tips to customers to prepare:
Charge your cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
Fill up your car’s fuel tank.
Ensure you have a battery-powered radio and a supply of fresh batteries.
Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water for everyone in your family.
Put your refrigerator and freezer at the coldest setting. Keep a blanket handy to throw over these appliances for added insulation. If electricity is interrupted, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
Sign up for MyAccount at www.pseg.com and bookmark the mobile-friendly homepage on your smart phone so it’s easy to report outages and check restoration progress.
Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.
Accumulation of ice and heavy snow may weigh down power lines and as a result cause power lines to come down. PSE&G urges its customers to be cautious if they see downed lines. Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.
To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account on www.pseg.com, PSE&G’s mobile-friendly website.
General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on www.pseg.com during severe weather.
The utility’s Twitter and Facebook pages also keep the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at https://www.twitter.com/psegdelivers and www.facebook.com/pseg to monitor restoration progress. Customers also can register for text and email alerts at www.pseg.com/myaccount.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Power Outage – Useful Tips
PSE&G Contact Number 1-800-436-7734
Information from Ridgewood OEM –
BEFORE A BLACKOUT
To prepare for a blackout you should do the following:
• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as possible, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts.
• Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there’s room. Leave about an inch of space inside each one, because water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage, by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration.
• Be aware that most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
• Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
• Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it. Garage doors can be heavy, so know that you may need help to lift it.
• Keep a key to your house with you if you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, in case the garage door will not open.
DURING A BLACKOUT
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting. NEVER use candles during a blackout or power outage due to extreme risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage. •Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics in use when the power went out. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage computers as well as motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer or furnace.
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
• Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Listen to local radio and to a battery- or generator-powered television for updated information.
• Leave on one light so that you’ll know when your power returns.
• Use a standard telephone handset, cellular phone, radio or pager if your phone requires electricity to work, as do cordless phones and answering machines. Use the phone for emergencies only. Listen to a portable radio for the latest information.
• Do not call 9-1-1 for information—call only to report a life-threatening emergency. Use the phone for life-threatening emergencies only.
• Take steps to remain cool if it is hot outside. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
• Remember that equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and elevators may not work during a power outage.
AFTER A BLACKOUT
Throw out unsafe food:
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.
• If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.
• If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer. Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.
file photo Boyd Loving
Information from Ridgewood OEM -Power Outage – Useful Tips
PSE&G Contact Number 1-800-436-7734
BEFORE A BLACKOUT
To prepare for a blackout you should do the following:
• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as possible, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts.
• Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there’s room. Leave about an inch of space inside each one, because water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage, by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration.
• Be aware that most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
• Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
• Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it. Garage doors can be heavy, so know that you may need help to lift it.
• Keep a key to your house with you if you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, in case the garage door will not open.
DURING A BLACKOUT
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting. NEVER use candles during a blackout or power outage due to extreme risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage. •Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics in use when the power went out. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage computers as well as motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer or furnace.
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
• Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Listen to local radio and to a battery- or generator-powered television for updated information.
• Leave on one light so that you’ll know when your power returns.
• Use a standard telephone handset, cellular phone, radio or pager if your phone requires electricity to work, as do cordless phones and answering machines. Use the phone for emergencies only. Listen to a portable radio for the latest information.
• Do not call 9-1-1 for information—call only to report a life-threatening emergency. Use the phone for life-threatening emergencies only.
• Take steps to remain cool if it is hot outside. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
• Remember that equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and elevators may not work during a power outage.
AFTER A BLACKOUT
Throw out unsafe food:
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.
• If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.
• If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer. Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.
