JCP&L Rate Hike Hearings Bring Criticism, Support

Final hearing on a 4.1 percent increase for state's second largest utility

The sixth and final hearing on a request for a rate increase by the state’s second largest utility company met with a mix of praise and criticism for Jersey Central Power & Light Wednesday at Freehold Township’s Town Hall. JCP&L, fresh off widespread criticism for its handling of Hurricane Sandy and the Nor’easter that followed, is seeking a 4.1 percent increase in the rates it charges its 1.1 million customers – many of whom were without power for up to two weeks after this winter’s storms. In Rumson and Fair Haven, officials have blasted the utility company for its lack of response and poor communication during and after the storms. In response to the company's latest updates on measures taken to improve service, many officials were not …

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JCP&L Rate Hike Hearings Wednesday

Utility company petitioning state board for consumer rate increase

The state Board of Public Utilities is scheduled to hold a pair of hearings in Freehold Township on Wednesday on a proposed rate increase for Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). The first meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Township Municipal Building, at Schanck and Stillwell Corner roads. The second meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at the same location. The utility company, roundly criticized for its response during Hurricane Sandy and the nor’easter that followed, wants a rate increase of 4.5 percent in its effort to raise $603 million the company says it needs to repair infrastructure damaged in hurricane’s Sandy and Irene. The company faces opposition. “We will speak for the hundreds of ratepayers who are tired of paying more for …

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JCP&L Preparing for Arriving Storm

Utility Company bringing in extra crews to combat outages.

With at least a few inches of snow expected to fall in our area and strong winds blowing through JCP&L is preparing for any possible power outages with the approaching storm. According to information provided by Howell Township Manager Helene Schlegel the company has already taken several steps to prepare for the storm that could include not only precipitation but also winds with gusts of up to 60 MPH.  JCP&L said they are also taking the following additional steps: • Bringing in more than 120 line personnel and hazard responders from FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities to support restoration efforts  • Securing 120 tree contractor crews to respond to tree-related conditions  • Communicating with emergency management officials, state officials, …

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Hurricane Sandy

Lighting Up Rumson's West Park

The neighborhood has been without most street lights since Hurricane Sandy struck.

For the first time since Hurricane Sandy left Rumson's West Park steeped in water, debris and ruined homes, more light has been shed on the streets and power situation — just a little more. After some prodding, persistence and communication, the storm-blackened street lights are now on along South Ward Avenue at Washington and Grant avenue, but still off at Lincoln. A JCP&L truck was spotted in the area yesterday and the lights went on Tuesday evening. Having been somewhat in the dark for nearly four months, four transformers having been downed with trees on South Ward during the storm, West Park residents, assuming the issue was being handled, recently started growing weary of the darkness and wondering when there would be more light. “…

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JCP&L Vows to Improve Communication

Utility company lists communication enhancements post-Hurricane Sandy

Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) is saying that it will improve its communication with towns during "significant storm events," after the utility company was criticized by many municipal officials after Hurricane Sandy. JCP&L announced new practices and upcoming technology improvements at recent municipal meetings and with members of the League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the New Jersey State Police. A news release from JCP&L states that the communication enhancements will include: "We are committed to continuous improvement for our customers and welcome the opportunity to work with state, county and municipal officials over the next several months as we implement these new practices," JCP&L …

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A Few Hundred in FH Were in the Dark

Transformers to blame for up outages. As of 9 p.m., many restored.

Hundreds of customers in Fair Haven are currently in the dark. JCP&L estimated 382 in Fair Haven in the early evening. And, as of 9 p.m., Jersey Central Power & Light outage maps showed 61 remaining without power. "There were two transformer fires in town," Mayor Ben Lucarelli said. "One was on Cooney Terrace, off Grange Avenue, and the other was on Lake Avenue, near Second." While both fires had been quelled, Lucarelli said his concern was the wind that's expected in tandem with the rain and flooding possibilities. And in Red Bank, the east side was currently experiencing a widespread power outage in the late afternoon to early evening, with almost 700 residents in the dark. Police Capt. Darren McConnell said several transformers blew …

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How Was Your Electric Service During Hurricane Sandy? BPU Wants to Know

If your electric service was out for weeks, you can vent at a series of statewide BPU hearings

In some parts of the state, the power outages after Hurricane Sandy lasted for more than two weeks. Now the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) wants to know what consumers think about how their local electric utilities handled the hurricane. The BPU is seeking public input in a series of public forums throughout the state. Public hearings involving the performance of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) are scheduled. The next is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 at Hopatcong Middle School. These are just the beginnings of hearings that will held statewide, said BPU spokesman Earl Pierce. "We're still deciding the schedule. There will be more set up throughout the state," Pierce said. The BPU also is accepting comments via email …

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Rick

3:35 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Some towns like their pretty trees and won't allow the power companies to trim them away from the lines.   more ›

JCP&L Offers Customers Payment Plan Options to Ease Impact of Hurricane Sandy

In addition to payment plan arrangements there is a 'promise to pay' extension of up to 10 days beyond the due date printed on the latest statement

JCP&L has revised its payment plan options for customers who may need help paying their electric bills in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. “Hurricane Sandy was a devastating storm and continues to be a financial hardship for many of our customers,” said Ronald Green, vice president of FirstEnergy. Payment plans can be more flexible than the current installment plan arrangements and revised plans will remain in effect through March 15, 2013. “Whether it be lengthening the payback period or reducing the down payment amount, our goal is to tailor the payment plan options to better assist customers in the hardest hit areas,” Green said. The revised payment plan arrangements for JCP&L customers are: For customers in New Jersey who might need a…

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Resolution Targeting JCP&L Improvements Makes Rounds

Resolution stems from comments recently made by Monmouth County town officials

Out of the recent regional summit of Monmouth County municipal officials came a draft resolution crafted in Tinton Falls and designed to hold Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) accountable for improved service. The resolution stems from comments and suggestions made by various Monmouth mayors and officials at the summit, held in Tinton Falls last month, to vent complaints about how JCP&L handled Hurricane Sandy and workshop solutions for improved service. "Mayors and representatives from more than 20 municipalities where represented in this meeting and their comments and concerns have been reflected in this resolution," Skudera said in a release. Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli was one of those mayors in attendance. "We all sat down after…

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Monmouth County Officials Vent Frustations Over JCP&L

Summit held in Tinton Falls for discussion of utility company's service during and after Hurricane Sandy

Officials from Monmouth County towns gathered at Tinton Falls Borough Hall on Monday afternoon to discuss and critique Jersey Central Power and Light's (JCP&L) service and communication during Hurricane Sandy. Most officials in attendance agreed that JCP&L did not effectively communicate with their towns during the hurricane and that many were left without the information they needed to get out to residents. "It was absolutely poor execution by JCP&L," Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik said. "A little anger and venting is exactly what JCP&L needs to hear," Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider said. The discussion was hosted by Tinton Falls Mayor Michael Skudera and Middletown Mayor Tony Fiore. "The goal for today is not for this to become a gripe…

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