Tag: PSEG

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PSE&G says paving and Village street restoration is expected to be completed in the spring of 2018

road work Ridgewood police

photo courtesy of Ridgewood Police

August 10,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, for months now there have been constant complaints about Village streets and their poor surface conditions . Long term readers of the this blog will remember that for several years there seems to be almost constant complaints about the roads. Unfortunately for the Village as long as PSE&G continues in their gas line up grade program ,there is really no end in sight for poor road conditions .

Beginning in June, work was expected to take place Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting. The gas main replacement portion of the work is expected to be completed by the fall. The paving and street restoration is expected to be completed in the spring of 2018.  Folks it is what it is !

According to PSE&G :

• To upgrade the gas lines, PSE&G digs trenches, primarily in road surfaces, and lays new pipes block by block to minimize disruptions. There will be short-term road closures and detours during construction. Local police direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. At the end of each workday, the trenches are filled in and protective plates secured on any open areas so people can safely drive and walk. Customers always have access to their driveways.

• When possible, the utility does not dig on properties. If PSE&G does have to dig on a customer’s property, the utility restores any disturbance after the service line is installed. Grass areas are repaired and seeded, and concrete or asphalt openings are patched until final restoration work is scheduled.

• After construction, a PSE&G technician needs to access the customer’s home to connect the service line and gas meter to the new gas main. The utility contacts homeowners to arrange a date and time to do the work. During this reconnection, customers can expect to be without gas service for about 4 hours.

• If a gas meter is inside, PSE&G relocates it to the outside of the customer’s home or business. A technician relights all appliances and makes sure they are working safely before leaving a home.

• When work is finished, the utility repairs roads with temporary pavement until the ground settles. This takes about 45 to 90 days. PSE&G then restores the roads with permanent paving in accordance with town ordinance and paving requirements.

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Ridgewood Traffic Alert road closures beginning the week of August 7th

PSEG

file photo by Boyd Loving

Traffic Alert road closures beginning the week of August 7th.

August 6,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G will begin replacing gas lines on East Ridgewood Ave at Reynen Court and work East towards the Paramus border. This project is expected to take several weeks. East Ridgewood Ave will be closed during the day and detours will be in place.
Gas line construction will also continue on North Monroe Street between West Ridgewood and Woodland Ave. Please follow the detours expect delays in both areas.

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PSE&G Preparing for Sizzling Temperatures

PSEG

file photo by Boyd Loving

July 22,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, While PSE&G expects to have no trouble delivering additional power during the forecasted heat wave, we are closely monitoring weather conditions and have additional personnel scheduled to handle any power interruptions should they occur.  Our call centers will also have extra personnel on duty to speak with customers and appliance service technicians are ready to quickly respond to an expected influx of air conditioning repair calls.

Stay connected:

•To report power outages call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734), or log in to My Account at pseg.com to report an outage or view outage status.

•You can also report an outage by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG.

•Sign up for MyAlerts for 2-way text or email notifications about the status of power outages in your area.

•View our Outage Map that is updated every 15 minutes and displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service area.

Tips to help you save energy and stay cool as temperatures rise:

•Turn off everything you’re not using: lights, computers, etc. Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.

•Close blinds and shades facing the sun to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.

•Close doors leading to uncooled areas. With central air, close off vents to unused rooms.

•Consider setting air conditioners to 78 degrees.

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Downed Tree Limb takes out Power ,Internet and Phone Services in Hawthorne

Downed Tree Limb takes out Power ,Internet and Phone Services in Hawthorne

July 20,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hawthorne NJ, Hawthorne Police and Fire personnel responded to a downed tree limb in front of 124 Maitland Avenue, Hawthorne on Wednesday afternoon, 07/19. The fallen limb blocked the roadway and took out electric, internet/phone, and cable TV service to one (1) home on the street. Hawthorne DPW workers cleared the roadway after a PSE&G troubleshooter cut the dropped electric line. No injuries were reported.

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Reader says Major and Secondary Road Surfaces in Ridgewood are in Shambles

road work Ridgewood police

Major and secondary Road surfaces are a shambles even before the recent PSEG new tunneling projects on RIdgewood avenue and aside the Train station.No plan to fix our roads outside of the inadequate pothole patch and scratch crews.N.PLEASANT and Fairway are a disgrace,RIDGEWOOD Avenue won’t make it through the fall despite PSEG repave process
which we know doesn’t return the street to a normal operating surface.People are moving out.

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PSE&G Preps for 2017 Summer Electric Demand

PSEG

file photo by Boyd Loving

$2.8 billion infrastructure investments will maintain reliability

June 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, has made significant infrastructure investments that are in service for the first time this season, ensuring the utility is better prepared than ever to meet customer demand for safe, reliable electricity this summer.

“PSE&G customers are benefiting from the $2.8 billion in electric and gas investments the utility made this past year,” said John Latka, senior vice president of electric and gas operations at PSE&G. “These investments, along with our highly skilled and dedicated workforce, play a big role in making us one of the most reliable utilities in the country, and the most reliable in the Mid-Atlantic region 15 years running.”

Notable projects completed since the start of last summer include:

Eliminated, or raised and rebuilt six substations and switching stations that were damaged by water during storms, including stations in Elizabeth, Garfield, Hoboken, Jersey City, Rahway and South Hackensack.
Installed relays and remote terminal units at 45 substations and installed a new Distribution SCADA system in all four divisions. This program deploys smart grid technologies to better monitor system operations to increase our ability to more swiftly deploy repair teams.
Completed 62 projects that address critical facilities, including hospitals, water treatment plants, telecommunications facilities and police stations. This program creates redundancy in the system, reducing outages when damage occurs.
Replaced 12 aging station transformers to maintain electric service reliability for customers in Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hudson and Union Counties.
Completed transmission hardening projects to raise station equipment in five flood-prone stations, benefiting customers in Bergen, Camden, Hudson and Union Counties.
Energized eight 69,000-volt substations and associated lines. The new networks provide increased local transmission supply capacity to customers across our service area, including many living in Bergen, Burlington, Hudson, Passaic and Union Counties.

In addition to these electric distribution upgrades, phase 2 of the $1.2 billion Bergen to Linden corridor upgrade is fully energized and completed on schedule. This portion represents the upgrade from Bayway station in Elizabeth, to Linden station. When complete in 2018, the 345-kilovolt (kV) line will run from Ridgefield to Linden, maintaining reliability by relieving congestion on other regional transmission lines.

The 2017 forecasted summer peak is 10,057 megawatts. Last year’s peak was 9,800 megawatts, set on August 12. PSE&G’s all-time summer peak was 11,108 megawatts, set on August 2, 2006.

PSE&G expects to have no problem delivering the additional power, but utility crews are at the ready to respond to service interruptions should they occur. The utility’s rigorous preparedness program for summer includes conducting annual hurricane and tropical storm drills, employee training, developing emergency summer operating plans, and performing summer peak reliability analysis, helicopter and climbing inspections of transmission circuits, infrared inspections, system reinforcements and transmission line work.

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Wandering SUV Knocks Out Utility Pole in Ho Ho Kus

Wandering SUV Knocks Out Utility Pole in Ho Ho Kus

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving

May 25,2017

the staff of Ridgewood blog

Ho Ho Kus NJ, A utility pole and pole mounted transformer on Blauvelt Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus were both KO’d by a wandering SUV on Wednesday afternoon, 05/24. The driver and occupants of the vehicle were shaken up, but uninjured in the crash. Ho-Ho-Kus PD, FD, and EMS personnel responded. The damaged vehicle was removed by a tow truck and PSE&G attended to the downed utility pole and transformer. A portion of Blauvelt Road was closed for an extended period as PSE&G crews worked to return conditions to normal.

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PSEG WARNS SHUTTING DOWN NUCLEAR UNITS COULD DRIVE UP POWER PRICES

PSEG

file photo by Boyd Loving

TOM JOHNSON | MAY 1, 2017

Company head continues to sound drumbeat for nuclear subsidies, even though plants will remain profitable through 2019

Oyster Creek nuclear plant

The closing of nuclear power plants serving New Jersey could lead to higher electricity prices for consumers, according to Ralph Izzo, chairman, CEO, and president of Public Service Enterprise Group, the owner of the units.

Izzo, speaking Friday on a quarterly earnings call for the Newark energy company, continued the drumbeat of lobbying for incentives to subsidize the operation of the three units run by the company’s subsidiary, PSEG Power, in South Jersey.

“You cannot remove 40 percent of the supply without having an increase in prices in New Jersey,’’ Izzo said, in response to a question from a Wall Street analyst. “And that’s something New Jersey consumers should not like.’’

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/04/30/pseg-warns-shutting-down-nuclear-units-could-drive-up-power-prices/

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Reader says Hire “specials” who can patrol the schools in the morning and protect us from the evil Verizon, PSE&G and NJ Transit workers

A gas main break , West Glen Avenue , S Hill Road, PSEG

file photo by Boyd loving

Hire “specials” who can patrol the schools in the morning and protect us from the evil Verizon, PSE&G and NJ Transit workers during the day. Will help to reduce the obscene amount of OT the police department charges the Village as well by avoiding unecessary scheduling conflicts for extra duty work. We probably only need 25-30 full time cops if we hired specials. It would be a material cost savings for Village taxpayers, and we’d be just as safe. The police union won’t tell you this of course

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Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day

lineman3_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

April 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,In honor of National Lineman Appreciation Day, Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, salutes the men and women dedicated to keeping the electricity flowing for their customers every day, in all types of weather conditions. When the public is asked to stay safe at home during and after a storm, linemen and linewomen come to work.

lineman6 theridgewoodblog.net

“I’m always proud, but never surprised, by their commitment to their jobs,” said John Latka, senior vice president of electric and gas operations for PSE&G. “On a blue-sky day, you’ll find our linemen building and maintaining the electric infrastructure that is so critical to powering our lives. During and after storms, their efforts are nothing less than heroic. They work 16-hour shifts until every last customer is restored.”

PSE&G has some 600 linemen and linewomen who play a vital role in ensuring that customers have the best-in-class service that they expect and deserve. Behind the scenes, around the clock and 365 days a year, linemen are always ready and available. And when another utility needs help with storm preparation or restoration, PSE&G lineworkers heed the call for help.

To participate in honoring line workers and their families, use the hashtag #thankalineman on social media.

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It’s Spring Time and PSE&G Reminds Everyone to Call Before Digging

PSEG Gas leak

file photo by Boyd Loving

April 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, There are more than 20 million miles of underground utilities in the United States. Without locating and marking utility lines before digging, you could hit one — resulting in costly damage, hefty fines and possible injury.

April is National Safe Digging Month and Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, reminds customers, contractors and excavators to call 811 to request a mark-out before digging to avoid hitting underground pipelines, conduits, wires and cables. The service is free, and absolutely critical to avoiding injuries and disruptions to vital utility services.

PSE&G has more than 8,200 circuit miles of underground electric lines, and 35,000 miles of buried natural gas distribution lines. In addition to the electric and gas lines, there are other buried utility lines, including communications cables, and water and sewer lines.

When you call 811, you are automatically connected to the One Call center, which collects information about your digging project. The center then provides the information to the utility companies, who send representatives to mark the locations of underground lines in the immediate vicinity of the planned work location with flags, paint or both. After lines have been marked and you receive confirmation, you are free to carefully dig around the marked areas.

In New Jersey, the marks are valid for 45 business days. (Guidelines vary from state-to-state. State-specific information is available at www.call811.com.) The call must be made whether you are hiring a professional or planning to do the job yourself.

Important information to consider:

Call 811 at least three full business days before each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Utility workers will respond and place markers where utility lines are buried, free of charge.
If you hired a contractor, confirm that a call to 811 has been made. Do not allow work to begin if the lines are not marked.
Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within two feet of marked lines.
Various colors are used when marking lines. To learn what each color represents and for more information go to www.call811.com.

If you accidentally damage gas piping or smell gas when excavating, call 911 immediately from a safe area. Call before you dig is more than a good idea — it’s the law.

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DOES NEW MIX OF ENERGY RESOURCES AFFECT GRID RELIABILITY?

PSEGSolar_theridgewoodblog

TOM JOHNSON | APRIL 3, 2017

Operator of nation’s largest power grid reports increased reliance on natural gas and renewables is not adversely affecting sustainability

In a rapidly changing energy sector, are there still enough power plants available to provide the electricity everyone needs?

The operator of the nation’s largest power grid is answering that question in the affirmative. Its new study finds that with the addition of more natural-gas and renewable resources the system can remain reliable.

With the retirement of scores of coal plants and the early closing of some nuclear units, PJM Interconnection sought to determine whether the system is losing too many traditional resources in a new assessment, “PJM’s Evolving Resource Mix and System Reliability.’’

The study highlights some of the issues affecting the energy sector in New Jersey, which will see its two biggest coal units shut down later this year; its oldest-running nuclear plant, Oyster Creek, scheduled to shut down at the end of 2019; and questions raised about the economic viability of nuclear units elsewhere.

As elsewhere, at least five new natural-gas plants have either come on line or will soon be active, amid a rapid and controversial expansion of the gas pipeline infrastructure in the state. Amid all this activity, clean-energy advocates are pushing state policymakers to ramp up reliance on renewable sources of energy, such as solar and offshore wind.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/04/02/does-new-mix-of-energy-resources-affect-grid-reliability/

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Out Of Sight Shouldn’t Be Out Of Mind: A Cautionary Tale About Checking Your Gas Pipes

PSEG

March 31,2017
DAVID PLOTKIN, PSE&G CUSTOMER

Ridgewood NJ, It’s easy to take things we don’t see for granted – like the gas pipes in our home. I’m sure like many other homeowners, I never thought much about what was going on behind my walls. I had gas service, so everything was surely fine, right? I couldn’t have been more wrong.

It began on a cold January day when a friend dropped off her daughter for a playdate with my daughter. While she was in my house, she thought she smelled gas. We knew this wasn’t something to be taken lightly, so I called PSE&G. Service Specialist Eric (E.G.) Madsen promptly arrived. He took a gas reading and immediately shut off the gas lines to our house. He had a hunch that there might be a leak in the inside gas pipes. He told my wife, who was home alone at the time, that she needed to leave immediately and call an HVAC company to test the pipes.

When the HVAC company arrived what they found was chilling and terrifying. There was indeed a leak in our pipes. In fact a leak is an understatement — there was a substantial hole! Gas was in the ground — and in our walls. The gas pipes inside our house needed to be replaced. We lived in a hotel while the pipes were dug up and replaced. Once that was done a few days later, Mr. Madsen returned to turn on the gas. While I was sitting in my kitchen waiting, I asked him just how much gas was in my walls. His reply sent chills down my spine . “Gas explodes at between 5 percent and 15 percent,” he said. “You were at 15 percent.” We dodged a bullet that day. As a result, the plumbing inspector for the Borough of Tenafly now is checking all the gas pipes in the homes in our neighborhood.

Life lessons are learned every day. With those lessons it’s important to keep things in perspective. We often times get caught up with what’s around us. We focus on what we can see. When things are invisible to the eye, like the gas pipes in our home, we just assume everything is alright. Thankfully, Mr. Madsen didn’t do that. I believe he might have saved our lives, and those of our neighbors. He says that he was just doing his job. It is not often we have the opportunity to thank the people who keep us safe. In fact, we often take them for granted. So, thank you Mr. Madsen.

If I can leave you with one final thought, it would be not to take your pipes for granted. Get them checked. And, if you think you smell gas, call PSE&G!

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PSE&G to paving in Ridgewood

Road_work_theridgewoodblog
March 30,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After PSE&G upgrades the gas lines in your neighborhood, we first wait for the ground to settle and then return to restore roads with permanent paving in accordance with each town’s ordinance and paving requirements. Our goal is to complete this work with minimal impact to customers. Police will be directing traffic, and residents will be able to drive on the roads once paving is complete. You will have access to your driveway throughout the work.

If you have any questions about the restoration process, you may call and leave a voicemail (Oakland Gas District 201-337-2519)

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to complete these important upgrades to your gas service – ensuring the safety and reliability of your gas service now, and for many years to come.

The streets below are scheduled to be paved, with an approximate start date of March 28th and completion date of April 4th. Please remember that this work is weather dependent and the schedule may be adjusted if necessary.

Alpine Terrace

East Glen
West Glen
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Reader Writes , Our roads are a shambles in Ridgewood

Road work theridgewoodblog.net

Ms.Mailander

Good luck with a very difficult Position.

Our roads are a shambles,beyond the winter frost freeze and expanding pothole excuses …; the ongoing maintenance and milling of our main and secondary roadways are completely inadequate.meanwhile we are looking at tearing up the safety median at the train station raceway.Incredible..

Utility companies cut and run while highly paid village police offices yes on pseg perdiem and we pay their benefits and pensions while they stand by texting and witness the crime.North Pleasant Fairway and so many other main streets are like a war zone on our cars ,runners and bicyclist.

No real solutions offered outside of its on a list..ill tell my car repair guy so that he can plan to hire many more repair folks for Tires,Suspensions Shocks ,underbody and other serious car damage invoicing to Vor taxpayers.Its simply unacceptable .town in a serious downward spiral .