(NEWARK, N.J. – June 28, 2021) With a heat wave forecast for the next several days, Public Service Electric & Gas, New Jersey’s largest utility, is prepared to meet the demand for additional power and utility crews are ready to respond to service interruptions should they occur.

“We’re monitoring our system and are staffed and ready to respond to issues as they arise,” said Paul Toscarelli, PSE&G’s emergency preparedness director. “Since last summer, we’ve invested more than $1.7 billion in electric infrastructure improvements, which helps keep the power and your air conditioners on.”

PSE&G prepares year-round for extreme weather to maintain reliable service for our customers. We also encourage customers to monitor the weather and avoid being in extreme heat for lengthy periods. If customers cool off by getting in swimming pools, we encourage them to follow safe practices such as checking to ensure no electric devices are nearby that could accidentally fall into the water.

PSE&G also reminds customers that hot and sticky weather can lead to more usage and higher electric bills. Customers can save energy and money this summer by following 10 simple tips:

1. Don’t cool an empty house. Set your thermostat higher when you are away.
2. Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping.
3. Replace air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your air conditioner work harder.
4. Use a microwave or crockpot instead of the oven. Better yet, grill outdoors.
5. Operate appliances in the morning or evening when it is cooler outside.
6. When washing dishes or clothes, run full loads.
7. Wash laundry in cold water.
8. Close blinds and draperies facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat.
9. Don’t cool unused rooms. Close the vents and shut the door.
10. Ceiling fans cool fast and cost less than air conditioning. (In hot weather, set your ceiling fan to spin quickly, counterclockwise to push air downward toward the floor.)

For more ways to save on summer energy bills, visit our summer energy tips page.

Customer safety:

• Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines, and don’t go near the pole or anything touching the line. Immediately call 911 to report downed wires or call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
• Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over – and don't stand near – downed power lines.
• Downed lines can potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.
• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline-powered generators in a garage or any other enclosed space.
• If you are on life-sustaining medical equipment, ensure that you alert PSE&G in advance and notify your local police and fire departments. For more information, visit www.pseg.com/life.

Stay connected:

• Download the PSE&G mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more.
• Register for MyAlerts to receive text notifications at pseg.com/outagecenter.
• Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to 4PSEG (47734). You can also report your outage through our app, website at pseg.com/myaccount or with your voice using the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant ⁱ app on your smartphone. 
• Follow PSE&G on PSEG on Facebook and Twitter @PSEGdelivers to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm.
• Visit PSE&G’s Outage Map for the latest in outage info, restoration times and crew locations across New Jersey at pseg.com/outagecenter.  
• To report an outage by phone, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734) or use our web chat feature at pseg.com/myaccount.

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PSE&G