PSE&G named America's most reliable electric utility for the 5th time in eight years

NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) once again has been named America's most reliable electric utility, as well as the most reliable electric utility in the mid-Atlantic region.  New Jersey's largest electric and gas utility also garnered an award for its response to the two major storms in 2011.

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This is good news for the 2.2 million New Jersey homes and businesses that rely on PSE&G for electricity. PSE&G electric customers experience far fewer and shorter interruptions than those who live elsewhere in the country. When there are power outages -- often the result of tree and animal contacts or storm damage -- customers and community leaders are kept updated on repair and restoration plans.

That was the determination of PA Consulting, the industry benchmarking group that awarded PSE&G its top honor last night-- the 2011 National Reliability Excellence Award -- for "demonstrating sustained leadership, innovation and achievement in the area of electric reliability." This is the fifth time in eight years the utility has received this recognition, and 11 straight years that it has garnered the ReliabilityOne Award for the Mid-Atlantic region. PSE&G also won Outstanding Response to a Major Outage Event for its performance during Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm. 

"The people of PSE&G work hard every day to provide safe, highly reliable electric service to our customers," said PSE&G President and COO Ralph LaRossa. "The key is to never get complacent. We are continually looking for ways to improve and enhance our reliability. One way we are doing that is by investing in our electric transmission and distribution systems. Upgrading our infrastructure, coupled with our highly-skilled workforce, allows us to continually deliver on a blue sky day or during history-making storms such as those we have been experiencing in the past two years.

"Storms such as Hurricane Irene and the more recent superstorm Sandy have challenged our people and systems like never before," LaRossa added. "While I am proud of our performance during each of them, our customers expect more – and we will continue to work hard to meet that expectation." 

The top reliability award is given to the utility that demonstrates the most improved and sustained performance over time, as well as accuracy in predicting its capabilities and communicating with customers and regulators. Planning, preparation and response to major events are also factors.

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).

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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)