Morris Elected Leaders Take On JCP&L Over POWER

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - A group of Democratic elected officials of Morris County are demanding JCP&L improve infrastructure and reliability in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias and are asking their Republican colleagues to join them.

"Last week, Tropical Storm Isaias devastated our power grid, leaving tens of thousands throughout Morris County without electricity for four days or more. On top of the health and economic fallout of the global pandemic, families and businesses were forced to throw out food and dispose of medicine," the POWER (Progress On Wise Electrical Refurbishments) group[ wrote in a letter to the utility. "Those working from home were unable to conduct business or properly do their job. The impact of losing power for such a prolonged period is unacceptable and action needs to be taken to protect our homes and businesses from future outages."

Earlier this week, Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano issued a letter to JCP&L and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. This letter called on JCP&L to reimburse residents and businesses for the cost of spoiled food and medicine, an action already being taken by Con Edison in New York. The group noted they are in lockstep agreement with this request and also demand that JCP&L improve their processes and make tangible, necessary improvements as follows:

• Accelerate and expand the installation of smart devices including the “TripSaver” smart reset devices and smart utility poles to improve monitoring and trouble-shooting;
• Make our substations weather resistant to extreme weather conditions;
• Improve preparedness to ensure timely arrival of out-of-state repair teams;
• Improve communications to residents and within the JCP&L organization.
• As elected officials serving across Morris County, we urge JCP&L to take action on these ideas to avoid another unnecessary, widespread power outage in our communities.

JCP&L spokesperson Cliff Cole said that some of those demands simply won't be met.

"Unfortunately, we do not reimburse for food lost or expenses incurred during a weather-related power outage. We suggest inquiring with your insurance company to determine if your policy covers such losses," he told Patch.

Cole also noted:

• The Reliability Plus Program will provide enhancements made by JCP&L in recent years with an additional $97 million in targeted investments aimed at addressing tree damage to the distribution system caused by severe weather events and reducing the frequency and duration of power outages. The program was created following an analysis of JCP&L’s existing distribution system as well as lessons learned from restoration efforts following recent severe weather events.The work would be completed by December 31, 2020.
• JCP&L brought in workers from out of state before the storm, and we deployed more than 8,000 workers around the clock to restore power.
• They held daily calls with the mayors of affected towns, communicated to customers through social media, the press, and text and email messages.

"I don't feel that our communication was an issue, but that being said, we are always looking for ways to improve and learn from these situations," he said.

The POWER group asked for a review from the Board of Public Utilities to step in and mandate improvements and restitution, and Cold told Patch any time there is a major storm, they expect it to be reviewed by the BPU.

"Every passing year leaves our communities increasingly reliant on stable, reliable electricity, a trend irreversibly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic," the POWER group said. "Without major improvements to our electrical infrastructure, and support for those who suffer losses during prolonged outages, public confidence in the utility system will continue to wane."

The POWER group consists of:

• Mayor Richard Corcoran, Boonton
• Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz, Chatham Borough
• Mayor Joseph Pannullo, East Hanover
• Mayor Robert Conley, Madison
• Mayor Jason Karr, Morris Plains
• Mayor Tim Dougherty, Morristown
• Mayor Michael Soriano, Parsippany
• Alderman Joseph Fenske, Boonton
• Alderwoman Marie DeVenezia, Boonton
• Councilwoman Carolyn Dempsey, Chatham Borough
• Councilwoman Irene Treloar, Chatham Borough
• Councilwoman Jocelyn Mathiasen, Chatham Borough
• Councilwoman Karen Koronkiewicz, Chatham Borough
• Committeewoman Celeste Fondaco, Chatham Township
• Committeewoman Stacey Ewald, Chatham Township
• Committeewoman Tracy Ness, Chatham Township
• Alderman Carlos Valencia, Dover
• Alderman Marcos Tapia, Dover
• Councilman John Hoover, Madison
• Committeewoman Amalia Duarte, Mendham Township
• Councilwoman Cynthia Korman, Mountain Lakes
• Councilwoman Janet Horst, Mountain Lakes
• Councilwoman Lauren Barnett, Mountain Lakes
• Councilman Thomas Menard, Mountain Lakes
• Councilwoman Joan Goddard, Morris Plains
• Councilwoman Nancy Verga, Morris Plains
• Councilwoman Emily Peterson, Parsippany
• Councilwoman Janice McCarthy, Parsippany
• Councilman Jonathan Sackett, Rockaway Township
• Councilman Manny Friedlander, Rockaway Township

This post contains reporting by Carl Stoffers.

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