JCP&L to Conduct Aerial Inspections in Somerset County

Jersey Central Power & Light Company (JCP&L) will be conducting aerial inspections of its overhead transmission power lines across its service area, which began earlier this week.

Somerset County residents my see a low-flying helicopter during the inspections, which began across JCP&L’s service area Monday, May 4. The aerial inspections will examine power line connections and other equipment, JCP&L said in a statement. Local law enforcement officials will be notified of the inspections before they take place.

“Helicopter inspections provide a safe, timely and cost-effective way to patrol transmission circuits in their entirety,” Tony Hurley, JCP&L vice president of Operations, said in the statement. “The inspections provide valuable information and help us take proactive steps to improve service reliability.”

The power company plans on spending more than $260 million in 2015 on projects to “enhance and maintain a strong electrical system”, helping to meet the growth in its 13-county service area, JCP&L said.

JCP&L serves more than 1 million customers across New Jersey, including Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.