Hawthorne NJ Hawthorne Police and Fire Department units responded to the intersection of Lafayette and South Avenues on Friday afternoon, 03/02 after receiving multiple 911 calls regarding a large tree limb that fell on a high tension wire. A street light was also downed in the incident. Portions of Lafayette Avenue and South Avenue were closed pending removal of debris by Hawthorne DPW personnel and the restoration of electric power by PSE&G crews.
Typical customer to save almost $75 for winter gas usage
February 22,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, announced today that customers will continue to save money on their gas heating bills through March. The company is extending its January and February bill credits for residential customers an additional month, saving customers an additional $25 on their March bills or nearly $75 this winter.
Bill credits during January and February have saved the typical residential gas heating customer about $50 for both months, a savings of about 17 percent. Extending the credit for March usage will bring total savings to nearly $75 for the three winter months.
A typical residential customer using a total of 495 therms from January 1 through March 31 would normally pay about $440. This customer’s bill for the three winter months will be about $365 with the bill credit.
Since January 2009, annual bills for PSE&G’s typical residential gas heating customers are 49 percent — or $825 — lower due to supply rate reductions.
“We continue to be in a position to pass along gas price savings to our residential customers,” said Jorge Cardenas, PSE&G vice president of asset management and centralized services. “Low natural gas prices, our transportation and storage capabilities, and the way we manage our contracts have enabled us to pay less for natural gas. And our customers benefit.”
PSE&G makes no profit on the sale of natural gas, and passes along what it pays to customers.
Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) today filed its first regulatory rate review in more than eight years, asking for a small adjustment in electric and gas base delivery rates that would increase overall revenues by approximately 1 percent.
The increase is necessary to recover investments PSE&G made to strengthen its electric and gas distribution systems, making them more reliable and resilient. PSE&G is required to file the rate review as a condition of the approval by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities of the company’s Energy Strong program in 2014.
If approved as filed, the typical combined residential electric and natural gas customer will see an approximate 1 percent increase or about $19.70 in their annual bill. Even with this proposed increase, bills for the typical residential customer are expected to be more than 15 percent lower than they were in 2010.
“Our customer bills are already among the lowest in the state – and that won’t change,” said David Daly, PSE&G president and COO.
“As a result of strong cost control, our residential customer bills are lower today than they were eight years ago,” Daly said. “Together with passing along savings from recent tax law changes, we’ve been able to minimize the impact on our customers.”
Revenues from base rates are used to maintain and improve the electric and gas delivery infrastructure, such as pipes and wires, and provide customer services. Customer bills also contain separate charges for the electric and gas supply that is obtained by PSE&G on behalf of its customers.
“Since our last regulatory rate review in 2010, PSE&G has made significant capital investments to upgrade, modernize, and strengthen our electric and gas systems to make them more reliable and resilient,” Daly said. “Our current electric and gas delivery rates do not reflect all the investments we have made to maintain the safe, highly reliable service our customers have come to expect. This rate review also addresses previously incurred storm costs that had been deferred until this time.”
Proposal includes Green Enabling Mechanism
The rate filing also seeks BPU approval of a rate design change, called the Green Enabling Mechanism (GEM), a proposal to decouple revenues from sales volumes and thereby encourage energy efficiency. If approved, the GEM will remove the incentive to sell more energy and will instead encourage utility investments in energy efficiency, renewables and other clean energy technologies that will ultimately benefit all customers by bringing down bills and reducing emissions.
PSE&G anticipates that new base rates as well as the GEM will take effect October 1, 2018.
Ridgewood NJ, The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, with the association’s “Emergency Assistance Award” for outstanding work assisting customers impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
The award is presented to EEI member companies to recognize an outstanding response in assisting other electric companies in power restoration efforts after service has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s Winter Board and CEO Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.
In the wake of Irma, PSE&G dispatched 154 employees and 84 vehicles to assist Florida Power & Light power restoration efforts. The PSE&G contingent included line workers, managers, engineers and support personnel.
“When disaster impacts a region, electric companies from across the nation are called on to assist impacted companies in need – mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “When Hurricane Irma struck, PSE&G answered the call to help. PSE&G’s assistance to restore service to impacted customers is a terrific example of mutual assistance in action.”
PSE&G’s Senior Vice President of Electric and Gas Operations John Latka said, “We were fortunate to be in a position to assist FPL. We know the importance of getting the lights and power back on as quickly as possible so people can begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”
Glen Rock NJ, Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer is encouraging residents to attend what he sees as an opportunity for Glen Rock rate payers , ” I strongly urge people to try to attend the presentation on Glen Rock DEAL on November 30th. If you are cynical, please assure that you have all of the facts before allowing your cynicism lead you to the accepting and spreading of misinformation on social media or elsewhere. You can find some info right here:
The Environmental Commission is currently evaluating an opportunity to enroll PSE&G customers into a community energy aggregation program that would provide cheaper electricity while adding more clean sources of energy.
Participation in the program is voluntary. Residents are automatically enrolled, unless they “opt-out” before the program starts. They can also opt-out anytime and for any reason during the entire duration of the contract and revert back to PSE&G with NO termination fees, by notifying PSEG by phone or email (see FAQ below).
It is important to note that this change can only happen with the passing of an ordinance which will include, as always, an opportunity for a public hearing. This will happen in early 2018.
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G will be finishing work on its gas main upgrade project on east Ridgewood Ave this week. On Tuesday 11/14 they will be working at the intersection of East Ridgewood Ave and Pleasant Ave. E.Ridgewood Ave will have one lane of traffic between Somerville Rd and Pleasant Ave. Pleasant Ave will be blocked to Northbound traffic at spring Ave. Police officers will be present to help with Somerville School drop off and pick up.
Ridgewood NJ, A major leak in a high pressure gas main forced the entire closure of a portion of East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood on Tuesday evening, 11/07. Ridgewood Fire Department , Police, and Emergency Services personnel responded to the incident. East Ridgewood Avenue was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic between Brookside Avenue and North/South Irving Street, and was expected to remain closed for an extended period until PSE&G crews finished repairs. At this time it is not know whether nearby work on the installation of a new water main is connected in any way with the gas main leak.The gas was venting in the open air and there were no residents evacuated .
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page
October 28,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, A PSE&G Electric Division crew struck a natural gas line while setting a utility pole on Lafayette Avenue in Westwood on Friday afternoon, 10/27. An unknown number of residential structures within close proximity to the struck line were evacuated until repairs were made. Fire department personnel from Westwood and Washington Township were placed on stand by at the scene. No incident related injuries were reported.
Traffic Alert six week daytime road closure to begin 10/19/17
October 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Starting Thursday 10/19/17 until approximately December 1st PSEG Gas will be working replacing a gas main on Van Emburgh Ave between Hampshire Rd and the Washington Township border. The attached photos are the detour plans for both north and south travel. Van Emburgh Ave will be closed in both directions between E.Glen Ave and Washington Ave in Washington Township beginning at 8:00am each morning. This will allo…w full access to Immaculate Heart Academy for morning drop off. During construction the entire road will have to be closed due to the location of the 12 inch steel gas line that will be placed in the road. Ridgewood Police Officers will be stationed all along Van Emburgh to help local residents get in and out of their streets. Each day Van Emburgh Ave will be opened for southbound travel at 1:30pm to allow buses and parents access to IHA from Washington Ave. The road will be subject to full closure again after school dismissal is complete.
Glen Rock NJ, Police and fire departments from Glen Rock and Hawthorne responded to multiple 911 reports of a strong natural gas odor in the vicinity of Lincoln Avenue and Boulevard, Glen Rock/Warburton Avenue, Hawthorne on Sunday afternoon, 10/15. The source was identified as a vent pipe installed in connection with a nearby construction project. A PSE&G technician determined that a relief valve within the vent apparatus had failed which resulted in a constant gas release. A portion of Warburton Avenue in Hawthorne was closed to facilitate repairs by a PSE&G crew. Police and fire units were released from the scene following the deployment of portable traffic barricades. No structures were evacuated and no injuries were reported.
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police, Fire, and EMS responded to a single vehicle MVA on Route 17 southbound at A&S Drive on Tuesday morning, 10/03. The wrecked 4-door sedan was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. PSE&G was summoned to address a downed wire associated with the crash. Injuries to the vehicle’s occupants are unknown.
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G will be moving their gas line upgrade project to Doremus Ave beginning Wednesday September 27th. Through Friday September 29th. East Ridgewood Ave will be open to traffic in both directions the remainder of the week.
Ridgewood NJ, Marking a decade of sustainability leadership, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for the 10th consecutive year.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) recognize forward-thinking companies based on an appraisal of the company’s strategy, management and performance in dealing with opportunities and risks deriving from environmental, social and governance factors. The DJSI tracks the performance of the 600 largest U.S. and Canadian companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index and recognizes the top 20 percent that lead the field in terms of sustainability. PSEG was one of seven American utility companies selected for the list.
“Our 13,000 employees work every day to build a sustainable energy future — one that fosters economically viable and environmentally advantaged solutions for people and our planet,” said Ralph Izzo, PSEG’s chairman, president and CEO. “Securing a position on the list of North America’s top sustainable companies for a decade is a strong endorsement of our efforts. We are well aware that our success depends on being responsive to the energy needs of our customers and the larger society around us.”
In 2016, PSEG continued its focus on providing reliable and cleaner energy. PSE&G, the company’s regulated utility, is in the midst of replacing 500 miles of aging natural gas pipe throughout New Jersey and has proposed accelerating the replacement of an additional 1,250 miles of gas lines. This important work not only enhances the safety and reliability of our energy infrastructure, it also reduces the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and creates hundreds of jobs.
PSEG’s commitment doesn’t stop there:
PSEG also has been recognized for expanding customer access to energy efficiency and clean renewable solar power.
The company has invested more than $1.5 billion to develop or finance solar power.
PSE&G is investing more than $400 million to help hospitals, apartment buildings and government facilities reduce their utility bills.
The company recently won approval to begin offering residential customers smart thermostats and data analytics to help them better manage their energy consumption.
In addition, PSEG is regularly recognized for the way it goes about its business, making the Forbes list of Most Admired Companies and Fortune’s Just 100 List, which celebrates America’s best corporate citizens.
Ridgewood NJ, hurricanes are in season so we asked Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen has the Village enhanced its hurricane response since hurricane Sandy ? During Sandy it seemed the only Village Hall response was to blame PSEG while Mount Carmel Church took on the brunt of the relief work and received little to no credit .
Hi James, The Village is well organized and prepared for the possibility of severe hurricane conditions. Upon confirmation of the hurricane path, our OEM team will meet and begin mobilizing all necessary resources to ensure the safety and well-being of Village Residents. Protecting Ridgewood residents remains paramount and deployed resources will support this primary objective.
Information will be disseminated utilizing an array of enhance communications and, as always, by asking fellow residents to share information forward and to check in on the elderly and home-bound.
Ridgewood’s relationship with PSE&G has been significantly strengthened over the past year as part of an important initiative to work collaboratively with the utility. However, Ridgewood acknowledges PSE&G must prioritize efforts to restore power during widespread outages.
I have great confidence in our Village Manager, Ridgewood Police, Fire, EMT’s, professionals and dedicated staff to manage any weather event.
Finally, the efforts, assistance, and generosity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and others, is always greatly appreciated.
