PSE&G Prepares for Heavy Snow and Near Blizzard Conditions

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is preparing for the approaching storm that could bring more than a foot of snow and near blizzard conditions for parts of its service territory Monday night and into Tuesday.

In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is taking the following steps to ensure that the utility is ready to respond to resulting power outages:

• Scheduling all available personnel so they are ready to respond beginning Monday.
• Arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility's own skilled workforce.
• Reaching out for 100 additional mutual assistance linemen.
• Ensuring that additional supplies, such as poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand.
• Refueling all vehicles.
• Testing generators at utility locations.
• Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts.

"While snow by itself doesn't normally pose a serious problem, heavy snow and strong winds can increase the possibility of downed wires and power outages," said John Latka, PSE&G senior vice president for electric and gas operations. "These conditions will also make it difficult for our crews to get around and safely respond to any outages. We ask for our customers' patience and cooperation as we work to restore service as quickly as possible."

PSE&G urges its customers to be cautious if they see downed lines. Downed wires should always be considered "live." Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that the wire is contacting.  

To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G's Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Customers can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account on www.pseg.com, PSE&G's mobile-friendly website.

PSE&G offers the following tips to customers to prepare:

• Charge your cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
• Fill up your car's fuel tank.
• Ensure you have a battery-powered radio and a supply of fresh batteries.
• Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water.
• Have matches and candles with holders on-hand.
• If electricity is interrupted, keep refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.
• Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G's Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.

PSE&G offers its customers a number of ways to stay in touch and informed before, during and after a storm. These tools can be found at www.pseg.com in the "Storm Center," under "How you can stay connected."

• Sign up for My Account and bookmark the mobile-friendly homepage on your smart phone so it's easy to report outages and check restoration progress.
• To report power outages via text message, and receive outage updates by text and email, sign up for MyAlerts.
• Updated every 15 minutes, PSE&G's online "Outage Map" displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G's service territory.
• The utility's Twitter and Facebook pages also keep the public informed about restoration progress. Sign up as a follower to monitor restoration process.
• Be sure everyone in the family is prepared. Go to www.pseg.com/sesamestreet to learn how to download the PSEG and Sesame Street "Let's Get Ready!" emergency preparedness app, along with tips on how to be ready for any emergency.

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).

Want to know what's new at PSEG? Go to www.pseg.com/getnews and sign up to have our press releases sent right to your inbox.

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SOURCE PSE&G