(NEWARK, N.J. – January 17, 2019) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, is making preparations for the forecasted weather that could bring heavy rain and snow to the company’s service territory during two storm systems – one beginning Thursday night and another arriving over the weekend. Bitter cold temperatures on Monday could cause refreeze conditions.

“PSE&G will have extra crews and storm support personnel on duty throughout both storm events to address any weather-related outages,” said Jack Bridges, PSE&G vice president, electric operations. “We are continuously trimming trees away from power lines to help prevent outages during storms. We want to remind our customers to stay away from downed power lines.”

PSE&G will continue to monitor the weather and will adjust plans as necessary based on updated forecasts, Bridges said. The utility will also have additional service technicians working to respond to “no heat” calls as a result of malfunctioning heating systems.

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

• 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. 
• Refueling all vehicles. 
• 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 storms. With this being the first major weather event of the winter season, here are a few tips for preparing for the storm 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 1-800-436-PSEG. 
• 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 notifications.
• You can report an outage by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734). 
• “Like” PSEG on Facebook and follow PSEG 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 any other enclosed space.
• If you are on 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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Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability as well as the 2018 Outstanding Customer Reliability Experience Award.  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 11 consecutive years.