Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest
electric and gas utility, is preparing for the approaching snowstorm
expected to impact the region Sunday evening through Monday.
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 Sunday. 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 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 http://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.
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).
