JCP&L's 2017 Tree Trimming Program Underway

MORRISTOWN, N.J., April 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) plans to spend nearly $34 million in 2017 to trim trees along 3,600 miles of power lines to maintain proper clearances around electrical equipment and help prevent tree-related outages.  During April and May, the work is being performed in nearly 80 municipalities across JCP&L's 13-county northern and central New Jersey service areas.

"Proper tree trimming helps reduce the frequency and duration of power outages," said Mark Jones, vice president, Operations, JCP&L.  "Our foresters and certified tree experts work year-round to properly maintain trees and vegetation.  This work pays dividends in fewer service disruptions, particularly during severe storms that can do tremendous damage to trees, which then have the potential to damage our equipment."

JCP&L's tree trimming program, conducted by certified forestry contractors under the company's direction, includes inspecting vegetation near the lines to ensure trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree, while also maintaining safety near electric facilities.  Trees that present a danger or are diseased may also be removed. 

As part of the notification process, JCP&L works with municipalities to inform them of vegetation management schedules.  In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way are notified prior to work being performed.  To further decrease tree-related outages, JCP&L's foresters also are working to educate residents who live near company equipment about the importance of properly maintaining the trees on their own property.

During April and May, forestry contractors are doing tree work in municipalities in the following counties:

• Essex – Township of Livingston and Millburn Township
• Hunterdon – Kingwood Township, Readington Township, Tewksbury Township and West Amwell Township
• Mercer – Hopewell Township
• Middlesex – Old Bridge Township and Sayreville Township
• Monmouth – Asbury Park, Borough of Atlantic Highlands, Borough of Brielle, Borough of Deal, Eatontown Borough, Borough of Fair Haven, Borough of Freehold, Freehold Township, Borough of Little Silver, Manalapan Township, Borough of Manasquan, Middletown Township, Ocean Township, Borough of Rumson, Borough of Red Bank, Borough of Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls Township, Wall Township and Borough of West Long Branch
• Morris – Borough of Chatham, Chatham Township, Borough of Chester, Chester Township, Denville Township, Town of Dover, Jefferson Township, Borough of Lincoln Park, Borough of Mendham, Mendham Township, Montville Township, Morris Township, Town of Morristown, Borough of Mountain Lakes, Parsippany Troy-Hills Township, Randolph Township and Borough of Wharton
• Ocean – Berkeley Township, Brick Township, Borough of Island Heights, Lacey Township, Lakewood Township, Manchester Township, and Township of Toms River
• Passaic – Borough of Pompton Lakes, Borough of Wanaque, Wayne Township and Borough of West Milford
• Somerset – Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, Borough of Bernardsville and Borough of Peapack Gladstone
• Sussex – Borough of Franklin, Hampton Township, Hardyston Township, Borough of Ogdensburg, Sparta Township, Vernon Township and Walpack Township
• Union – Borough of Mountainside, Borough of New Providence and Springfield Township
• Warren – Blairstown Township, Hackettstown, Hardwick Township, Hope Township, Independence Township, Knowlton Township, Oxford Township, Township of Phillipsburg and Washington Township

JCP&L, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary, serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.  Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.  The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

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