Enlists mutual aid and urges customers to make safety first priority

PSE&G prepares for new round of wintry weather

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After two major nor’easters earlier this month, PSE&G is preparing for a new massive storm that will hit already saturated landscapes and has the potential to bring down additional trees and power lines. PSE&G has mobilized nearly 600 mutual aid and contract employees and urges customers to remain safe.

“The landscape is fatigued, the system has been stressed and we’re expecting outages,” said John Latka, PSE&G senior vice president of electric and gas operations. “While we will be prepared to respond as quickly and safely as possible, we’re urging everyone to take precautions, particularly by staying away from and not driving over downed wires. If possible, people should stay off the road tomorrow so that our crews can do their work.”

Latka said the predicted combination of ice, snow and wind gusts could also cause motorists to veer off the road and strike utility poles. The storm, which starts tonight, is expected to last through early Thursday.

PSE&G will have personnel ready to respond to any outages and emergencies beginning Tuesday night. The utility is also ensuring that additional supplies, including poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand. Employees work closely with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts. Some 170 mutual aid line personnel are en route to assist and more have been requested. Crews are coming to New Jersey from Canada, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York and Wisconsin. Another 115 contract line personnel and 300 tree trimmers have been secured.

PSE&G urges its customers to be cautious during and after the storm:

• Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline powered engine, including generators and snowblowers, in a garage or any other enclosed space.

Customers should report downed wires or power outages by calling PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Also, customers can report outages at www.pseg.com or by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734). The utility’s mobile-friendly website includes an “Outage Map” that is updated every 15 minutes and displays the location and status