(NEWARK, N.J. – Feb. 7, 2020) Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, is preparing for the strong winds that are expected in the company’s service territory today and reminds customers to stay connected. PSE&G is also preparing for forecasted rain/snow mixes throughout the weekend.  

“Wind gusts of up to 60 mph, coupled with wet ground from the recent rain, could down trees,” said Jack Bridges, PSE&G’s vice president for Electric Operations. “We’re preparing to restore all outages as safely and quickly as possible. We also remind customers to stay away from downed power lines and always assume they are energized.”

PSE&G has worked nonstop to make its electric infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather. From storm hardening upgrades to ongoing enhanced tree maintenance, the company’s proactive work allows the system to better withstand extreme weather. Modernizing the grid also enhances reliability for customers.

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

• Securing loose objects at facilities.
• Reviewing staffing plans overnight and throughout the weekend..
• Arranging for contractors, such as tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce.
•  Ensuring that additional supplies, including poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand.
• Ensuring all vehicles are refueled and ready.
• Testing generators at utility locations.
• Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to discuss outages and expedite restoration efforts.

Customers should be cautious and stay alert to their surroundings during and after high winds. Here are a few tips to prepare for the weather and how to stay connected with PSE&G should you experience an outage.

What you can do now:

• Be ready to communicate about your situation.
• Make sure you have a family emergency plan.
• Review storm preparation tips; visit https://nj.pseg.com/safetyandreliability/stormsafety 

Stay connected with PSE&G:

• Compile a list of emergency phone numbers; include PSE&G Customer Service at 800-436-PSEG.
• Download PSE&G’s mobile app to report outages and get status updates.
• Go to pseg.com/myaccount to sign up to report outages online and to check restoration progress.
• Go to pseg.com/outagecenter to check the Outage Map, which is updated every 15 minutes with PSE&G outage information, and to register for MyAlerts to receive text message notifications.
• You can report an outage by texting OUT to 47734.
• “Like” PSEG on Facebook and follow PSE&G on Twitter @PSEGdelivers.

Stay away from downed wires:

• Downed wires should always be considered live. Stay at least 30 feet away from downed wires. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything it might be in contact with. If a wire falls on or near your car, stay inside the car, call 911 and do not get out until PSE&G de-energizes the line. If you MUST get out of the vehicle because it is on fire, jump as far as possible away from the vehicle, with both feet landing on the ground at the same time, and hop or shuffle away.

Other important safety notes:

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline-powered generators in a garage or other enclosed space.
• If you use life-sustaining medical equipment, ensure that you have alerted PSE&G in advance and notify your local police and fire departments. For more information, visit pseg.com/life.

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PSE&G 
Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, serving three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company. PSEG has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 12 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).