Tag: PSEG

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Assembly Panel Wants to Establish New Reliability Standards for Utilities

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Assembly Panel Wants to Establish New Reliability Standards for Utilities

Proposed measure would require power companies to restore service rapidly in wake of extreme weather.

A day after a half-million people in the mid-Atlantic region were left without power — including 60,000 in New Jersey because of an ice storm — a legislative committee voted yesterday to require the state to adopt new reliability standards for utilities in restoring service.

The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee approved the bill, A-1412), a measure that was first drafted in 2012 in the wake of Hurricane Irene, according to Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset), the chairman of the panel and the bill’s sponsor.

Since then the state has been battered a number of times by extreme weather, most notably Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012, which left more than seven million people without power. Many had to wait up to two weeks or more to have service restored.

The extensive outages spurred widespread criticism from utility customers, local officials, and lastly, state regulators, who have convened their own proceedings to determine how to prevent such massive service disruptions in the future. The primary focus is what needs to be done — and at what cost — to make the power grid more resilient when extreme storms occur.

Chivukula noted the state Board of Public Utilities, which oversees utilities in New Jersey, already has established reliability standards, but said those rules lack key elements that require utilities to provide reliable service and quick restoration in the event of extreme storms — or face civil penalties if they fail to do so.

The issue is significant because the state’s utilities have filed petitions with the BPU to spend more than $4 billion on upgrades to make their gas and electric power grids more resilient. Those costs would be borne by utility customers, already saddled with some of the highest energy bills in the nation, according to consumer advocates.

Each utility would be required to submit a reliability plan to the state, but it would differ depending on the service territory a company serves. (Johnson/NJSpotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/02/06/assembly-panel-wants-to-establish-new-reliability-standards-for-utilities/

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Information from Ridgewood OEM -Power Outage – Useful Tips

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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.

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PSE&G Customers Urged to Conserve Electricity on Tuesday

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PSE&G Customers Urged to Conserve Electricity on Tuesday
January 27, 2014

Another round of frigid weather pushes electricity use higher

(NEWARK, NJ – Jan. 27, 2014) – Due to another round of frigid temperatures and increased electric demand, PSE&G customers are asked to conserve electricity, if health permits, on Tuesday, especially from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The conservation request is being made to electric utilities throughout the region by PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia.  PJM continues to carefully monitor power supplies, and will do everything possible to keep power flowing in the region.

To conserve energy, customers can follow these simple steps:

Set thermostats lower than usual, if health permits.
Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers until mid-day or after 9 p.m., when the demand for electricity decreases.
Turn off electric lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.
Seal up openings around and under doors and windows.
Make sure all storm windows are down and tightly closed.
Close dampers in unused fireplaces.
Move furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators, and baseboard element covers.
Open any register or baseboard dampers.
Warm air systems – replace dirty/clogged air filters.
Steam systems – check for sufficient water levels in the sight glass.

PSE&G’s all-time peak winter demand for electricity was 7,195 megawatts set on February 5, 2007. Although Tuesday’s projected peak will be close, the utility does not expect to exceed the all-time demand.

The utility is also closely monitoring its gas system and taking steps to ensure it can meet the demands of customers. These steps include maintaining and adjusting pressure at various points in our system. PSE&G also has extra gas personnel on hand to respond as quickly as possible and handle emergency heating requests. During the cold snap on Jan. 7, PSE&G set a new peak for gas delivery by delivering 29,715,350 therms to customers.

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PSE&G Readies for Another Arctic Blast

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file photo by Boyd Loving

PSE&G Readies for Another Arctic Blast
January 21, 2014

Additional crews and equipment on hand to restore service and keep homes warm(NEWARK, NJ – Jan. 21, 2013) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is preparing for another round of freezing temperatures and accumulating snow that will affect its service territory beginning today.Snow, by itself, does not pose a serious problem for utilities, but heavy snow, icing and strong winds can increase the possibility of downed wires and associated power outages. Vehicles striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down. To respond to any electric outages, PSE&G has additional equipment and personnel on hand.The utility is monitoring its gas system and taking steps to ensure it can meet the demands of customers. These steps include maintaining and adjusting pressure at various points in our system. PSE&G also has extra gas personnel on hand to respond as quickly as possible and handle emergency heating requests.

As low temperatures and snowy conditions blanket the area, PSE&G offers the following tips:

CUSTOMERS WITH INSUFFICIENT OR NO HEAT

In many cases, customers are calling because of insufficient heat – their furnaces are working but are having difficulty handling the lower temperatures.  Although the company is sensitive to customers’ heating inquiries, insufficient heat is not always caused by defective heating equipment. The colder it is outside, the harder the heating system must work to satisfy the same thermostat setting.  The heat loss in a home may exceed the output capacity of the heating system.  At times like these, the room temperature may not reach the thermostat setting, especially if the thermostat is raised to a higher than normal setting.  Customers can comfort themselves by doing the following:

Seal up openings around and under doors and windows
Make sure all storm windows are down and tightly closed
Lower thermostats serving unused rooms
Close dampers in unused fireplaces
Move furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators, and baseboard element covers
Open any register or baseboard dampers
Warm air systems – replace dirty/clogged air filters
Steam systems – check for sufficient water levels in the sight glass

FOR SAFETY’S SAKE

Be cautious when using space heaters.  Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and heed warning labels. Be sure all members of the household understand how to operate space heaters safely.
Don’t try to use a gas oven or range to heat a room – the appliance will deplete oxygen from the air, causing asphyxiation or deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) — an invisible, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating gas — is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States.  Natural gas, oil, propane, coal or wood, produces CO.
The first line of defense against CO poisoning is to make sure all your fuel-burning appliances operate and are maintained properly.  These appliances include gas and oil furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges, space heaters, and gas clothes dryers.  Improperly vented fireplaces and charcoal grills can also give off CO.
Invest in carbon monoxide detectors as back-up protection, not as a substitute for proper use and maintenance of the fuel-burning appliances.  CO alarms can provide an early warning to consumers before CO builds up to a dangerous level.  The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends placing a carbon monoxide alarm in every area of the house. If just one alarm is installed, it should be placed near the sleeping rooms of the house.  If you already have one, remember to check the batteries regularly.
If you are calling for service, please make sure that your walkways are clear of snow and ice for safe access by our employees.

KEEP YOUR GAS METER AND APPLIANCE VENTS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE

You can help keep your natural gas supply flowing by keeping your meter free of snow and ice. If you are a natural gas customer whose gas meter is on the outside of your home or business, please take the following precautions:

Clear snowdrifts away from the meter and piping.
Do not pile snow on top of the gas meter or around its connecting piping when you are shoveling your premises.
Brush snow from the meter and piping before a thick layer of ice builds up.
Clear snow from dryer vents to prevent fumes from backing up into your house.

IF YOUR METERS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE READ

While we always try to obtain an actual reading, occasionally it’s necessary to estimate a reading to ensure the safety of our employees. Ways that you can help us keep our employees safe and avoid estimated bills:

Ensure walkways and entrance ways are cleared of snow and ice.
Ensure a clear pathway to the meter.
Secure pets while meters are being read.
Utilize our Record-a-Reading option or enter your reading on-line via the PSE&G website on www.pseg.com.

WHEN YOU DRIVE PAST OUR WORKSITES OR VEHICLES

Please slow down and be alert when driving past a PSE&G roadwork jobsite, especially in snowy, icy weather. Driving too fast can endanger employees and hamper their ability to perform important work. PSE&G crews use work area protection – traffic cones, utility work signs and flaggers – to protect them and to allow them to do their jobs safely.  Follow safe driving techniques to prevent fender-benders or more serious collisions that could delay our service technicians as they respond to customer calls or emergencies.

DOWNED POWER LINES

Accumulation of ice and heavy snow may weigh down power lines and as a result cause power lines to come down. Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. Parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play and to remind the children to stay far away from any wires. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.

CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SUSTAINING EQUIPMENT

Individuals who rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining electronic equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, should pre-register with PSE&G to receive priority attention in the event of an outage. To request the service, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG. They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency. Even though customers with life-sustaining equipment who have registered with PSE&G will receive priority attention during outages, they should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.

IF YOU LOSE POWER

First check your neighborhood. If you are the only one without power, check your fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. If that’s not the problem, look outside at the wire between your house and the utility pole. If it is down, report it immediately to PSE&G.

To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. PSE&G uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSE&G are encouraged to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destination quickly. The system also provides the option to speak directly to a customer service representative. If you have specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or poles, we ask that you speak with a representative to provide that information.

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 at pseg.com.

General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online atwww.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.
The utility’s Twitter page also keeps the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at https://twitter.com/psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress. Customers also can register for text and email alerts at pseg.com/myaccount

GENERAL TIPS

Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It’s wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Here are some things to include:

A battery powered radio.
A corded telephone. (Cordless phones will not work if the power is out.)
Flashlights and extra fresh batteries.
A first-aid kit.
Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food.
A non-electric can opener.
Matches and candles with holders.
Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
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.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (

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North Jersey towns unite in effort to lower utility bills

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North Jersey towns unite in effort to lower utility bills
SUNDAY JANUARY 19, 2014, 12:44 AM
BY  DAVE SHEINGOLD
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

A growing contingent of North Jersey municipalities is looking to use the power in numbers to cut residents’ utility bills through large-scale purchasing programs that promise better electricity prices.

At least 15 municipalities in the region are at various stages of adopting the programs, which advocates say allow them to pool the buying power of residents as a way of lowering their bills.

Residents in municipalities that approve the programs are automatically enrolled and must notify their borough or city halls if they want to withdraw and stay with traditional utility companies like Public Service Electric and Gas or Jersey Central Power & Light.

Officials say the programs promise to save the average homeowner $80 to $120 over a year’s time.

The programs use a 2003 state law that lets municipalities effectively take over energy purchasing for residents when market conditions are favorable. Local officials started pursuing the law last year when energy-price trends began working for the idea after years when they did not.

“The impetus behind it is to try to find a way to save residents, as well as businesses, money. It’s power in numbers,” said Michael Capobianco, borough manager in Little Ferry, the first municipality in Bergen and Passaic counties to seek bids from energy suppliers. Borough residents are expected to start getting lower-priced power this year.

“If we can take 10 percent off someone’s energy bill over the course of a year, it’s fantastic,” Capobianco said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/North_Jersey_towns_unite_in_effort_to_lower_utility_bills.html#sthash.7cGS71Zo.dpuf

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PSE&G storm update – November 2, 2012

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PSE&G storm update – November 2, 2012

Outage update: We are making steady progress. In three days, we have restored service to more than 1 million PSE&G customers following Hurricane Sandy. The storm impacted 1.7 million of PSE&G’s 2.2 million electric customers. We’ve also increased the stability of our transmission system to ensure that the high-voltage lines can deliver the power.

Our estimate is that we will have virtually all of our impacted customers restored to service within the coming week. The majority of customers will be restored before then. After Nov. 9, there may still be isolated pockets of customers who have individual flooding or downed line issues that may take slightly longer.

The storm surge flooded a large number of substations along the Passaic, Hackensack and Hudson rivers, and the Arthur Kill, disrupting service to customers in Hudson, Essex and Middlesex counties. The magnitude of the flooding in contiguous areas is unprecedented. PSE&G had to take these stations out of service, wait for the flood waters to recede to assess the damage, dry out the equipment, replace equipment when necessary and re-energize the system to restore service. We continue to make progress on the substations affected by flood waters from the tidal surge. This is a painstaking process to thoroughly clean the equipment so that it can be safely re-energized.

The total number of people who have come from other states to assist is now more than 2,000. This includes additional line personnel, tree crews and substation operators.

PSE&G’s key areas of focus are:

• Repairing our damaged switching stations and substations in Hudson and Essex Counties so we
can energize them and deliver the power to customers.

• Gas refineries – We have restored power to the Conoco Phillips and Buckeye Pipeline gas
refineries. We are making progress on restoring the other two refineries that we serve in the area.
• Gas stations – We are working with the NJ Gasoline Service Association to identify gas stations
that have the commodity, but need power restored to get the gas flowing.
• Overhead infrastructure – We continue to clear trees, debris and downed wires from state, county and municipal roadways so we can begin repairing overhead infrastructure in Bergen and Passaic
Counties.

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