PSE&G Prepares for Fall Storm

PSE&G Prepares for Fall Storm
November 26, 2013

Additional crews and equipment on hand to restore service

(Newark, NJ – Nov. 26, 2013) Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company, New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is closely monitoring the track of the storm expected to hit New Jersey this evening into Wednesday.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and moderate winds to the utility’s service territory, as well as the possibility of localized flooding on roads. In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is ensuring that all available personnel are ready to respond should there be outages.

To report a power outage or downed wire, call 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 at www.pseg.com.

General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather. Customers can also follow us on Twitter @psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress. Twitter should not be used to report outages.

This storm does have the potential to interrupt service, and customers should prepare for the possibility of outages. PSE&G offers the following tips:

DOWNED POWER LINES

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.

BEFORE THE STORM

Register for MyAccount and make sure your contact information is up-to-date. This makes it easier for our system to recognize you when you call. Registering online also provides us with an email address to send general updates. Opt in for MyAlerts to allow PSE&G to send you text and email messages about outages that may affect you.

Charge your cell phones and other mobile devices. Bookmark our website and add the Customer Service phone number to your contacts. Make sure you have your account number in a secure place that can be easily accessed.

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.

It is important to always report outages to PSE&G. Don’t assume someone else has reported it. It is easy to report your outage via the self-service line at 1-800-436-7734 or through MyAccount.

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 (www.pseg.com).