State Sets Hearings on JCP&L's Irene Response

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has scheduled hearings to solicit public comments on how power companies prepared for and responded to Hurricane Irene.

Nearly 1,900 Warren residents were without power for up to seven days after Hurricane Irene toppled trees and utility poles. Many have complained that JCP&L crews did not begin working to repair the outage until more than four days after the storm.

The hearings are scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27.

Lee A. Solomon, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, wrote in a letter to local officials earlier this month that he was "appalled" by how towns described JCP&L's response. He said the state would "investigate and review thoroughly the conduct of all utilities and their parent companies during this crisis."

"If adequate preparations were not made in advance of the storm, or adequate resources not dedicated to deal with its aftermath, we will determine that and hold the utility(ies) accountable," he wrote.

Warren officials and police tried to get service restored, at times aggressively complaining to JCP&L supervisors, and even to company president Donald Lynch.

The hearing locations are listed below, and additional hearings are being scheduled, the state said.

• Monday, Sept. 26, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan (use Reserved Meeting Room Parking off Alexander Drive)
• Tuesday, Sept. 27, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Ave., Morris Plains, NJ 07963

Written comments may also be submitted, prior to Oct. 28, via email to board.secretary@bpu.state.nj.us or in writing to:

Kristi Izzo, Secretary of the Board
Board of Public Utilities
PO Box 350
Trenton, NJ 08625-0350