(NEWARK, N.J. – April 19, 2019) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, is prepared for the forecasted weather that could bring thunderstorms and strong winds to the company’s service territory tonight and into the weekend. Wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph are likely with peak gusts of 40 to 45 mph possible.

“PSE&G has extra crews and storm support personnel on duty and ready to respond to power outages,” said Jack Bridges, PSE&G vice president - electric operations. “Lightning and heavy wind storms can cause tree limbs to bring down wires. We remind everyone to stay away from downed wires and assume they are energized.”

In anticipation of storms, PSE&G closely monitors the weather and takes the following steps to ensure that the utility can respond to any resulting power outages as quickly as possible:

• Arranges for contractors, such as tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce. 
• Ensures that additional supplies, including poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand. 
• Refuels all vehicles.  
• Tests generators at utility locations. 
• Coordinates 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.

What you can do now:

• Be ready to communicate about your situation.
• Make sure you have a family emergency plan.
• Review storm preparation tips at 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 with which it might be in contact. 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, keep feet as close together as possible and hop or shuffle away using as small a shuffle as possible.

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 alert 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 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.