JCP&L: We're Hoping Most, if not all, Get Power Today
Utility company president spoke with press, Town/Twp. officials Wednesday afternoon.
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For those yet to have power restored in the wake of Hurricane Irene, it's cold comfort to know that 550,000 customers served in New Jersey by JCP&L had their electricity back as of Wednesday morning.
But, at a hastily-organized press conference Wednesday afternoon at the electrical provider's North Jersey headquarters in Morris Township, JCP&L President Donald Lynch said that, and that they are working around the clock to get the remaining 120,000 still without power back online within the next several days.
Here, he said power could be back on by the end of the night, a statement that has been repeated several times over the last several days, amid growing frustration from those still in the dark. "We're hoping sometime today, most–if not all–[will have power]," Lynch said.
"If it doesn't, we have to go with 'Plan B,'" said Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, who said during the conference that local Office of Emergency Management crews would be canvassing the town to check on anyone that may need assistance, if the power does not come back on.
"The biggest challenge for us are the people who still don't have power," said Morris Township Mayor H. Scott Rosenbush. "They may not know the enormity just yet. The township is reaching out to residents as best we can."
Rosenbush said the township had just sent out mailings getting residents up to speed on the situation.
He emphasized, however, that once all customers has been rerouted from the substation, there is the ongoing cleanup efforts that he said, and Dougherty echoed, have been underway since the weekend.
"Crews are out, we saw them yesterday, last night and today," Rosenbush said. "If you see them, you should thank them–they're probably not getting a lot of 'thank you's' these days."
Rosenbush said anyone in the township with a non-emergency issue should call 973-326-7360.
Morristown residents with non-emergency issues should call 973-292-6625.
"This has been an ongoing fight to get power," Dougherty said. He said the town has been getting updates from JCP&L every two hours, and that their estimates for power restoration (citing the downtown business district) have been close to accurate.
"Though, that does not stop the frustration for those who don't have power," he said. "We're keeping our fingers crossed on the work they're doing tonight."
"This is the worst storm we have seen in recent memory," Lynch said, noting the company provides electricity to approximately 1.1 million customers in Northern and Central New Jersey, across 13 counties. "We understand the frustration. We are doing everything we possibly can."
Hurricane Irene, which hit the Morristown/Morris Township area Saturday night into Sunday, caused massive flooding here, causing the Whippany River to flood roads and residents, and, the JCP&L substation, on Ridgedale Avenue. With the substation now inoperable, the utility agency has been working since the weekend to reroute power from other sources, in order to get some 19,000 customers in this area back online.
However, as of Wednesday, many in Morristown and Morris Township continued to report power outages. Lynch said during the conference that a lot of customers were still facing power outages not because of the failed substation, but because of continued heavy flooding, fallen trees and downed wires in some areas. "We also want to make sure the safety of our employees and public is our number one priority," he said.
Lynch referred to the Ridgedale Avenue substation as one of JCP&L's largest. During his 35 years with the company, he said, "I have never seen flooding of this magnitude."
Despite the substation being located within proximity to the Whippany River, Lynch said "that is a great location where we are" and that the company would examine it to prevent future flooding.
Lynch said a lot of issues currently lie with the amount of rain that has fallen on the region this summer, causing the ground to become saturated, making tree uprootings much more possible. "There was just no place for the water to go," he said.
"I know this is tremendously difficult," he said. "We're going to be here. We're not going anywhere until every single customer is restored."
JohnNordberg
4:16 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Close to accurate Mayor Dougherty? ?? Are you serious! ?? You are officially a corporate pandering moron!!!
Peggy
4:17 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
"We're hoping sometime today, most–if not all–[will have power]"
What does this mean? It means nothing and says nothing.
Bryan
4:19 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I'll believe that when I actually see it. Otherwise it's just more smoke they're blowing up everyones butt.
Tom
4:20 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I can appreciate that they are working as hard as they can to fix the situation now. What I want to know is, what will be done to avoid this problem in the future? Will they build a retaining wall to prevent the "200 years flood + 85.26%?"
Adrienne
4:20 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I'm sorry, give them a "thank you"?!? Those workers are probably making HUNDREDS an hour after overtime/weekend pay.
Nick C.
4:21 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I also love how the mayors said they have seen them working around the clock, when every other comment on here states that they workers could not be found anywhere, anytime...complete BS.
Denise Addis
4:31 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I have not seen a single cherry picker or jcpl truck in morristown since Irene hit..they may be out there but certainly not everwhere.
Kate
4:41 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
We have power again on Budd st. It came on, went out, and is back hopefully permanently. We haven't had scheduled trash pickup though. Probably because we have a line down, but would love to get some info. It stinks.
ML
4:54 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I'm really hoping that means Fairview Place has been restored too!
Ryan
5:41 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
it has!
Bea
4:58 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
We have power at Molly Stark Drive - hopefully it will stay on; it's been a long 4 days
Jen
5:10 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Every day, "lights should be on by tonight!" I don't believe it, especially when others are hearing "by the weekend" from customer service (I received an unsolicited recorded message saying I should have had power two days ago! No further contact since, and couldn't get through Tuesday morning--vm said customer service was closed due to power outage!!).
Since there will obviously be another one of these press conferences tomorrow, I hope reporters are asking the tough questions--especially in regard to the empty promises and conflicting information. And why the most concentrated pockets of people in Morristown--the apartment communities--are the lowest priority. Seriously fed up. I'd like to hear an apology. I'd like to hear someone say "we screwed this one up." They keep patting themselves on the back. WTF? Honest information would have made this a thousand times less painful.
Another night of shower-hopping for me...
Jenn Smith
6:04 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I have all the confidence in the crews do the work. What I do not have confidence in the management directing them and the information from the Mayor of Morristown. When I walk through town and see the power restored to the businesses especially the bars I begin to question where apartment buildings fall on the list. I am pretty certain the Mayor does not understand my frustration or what it has been like to be powerless. In order to have some normalcy, I am now staying at a hotel. A bill which no one in town hall or JCP&L will help me pay for.
jp
6:56 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Anyone at parson village do we have power
Nick C.
7:12 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I figured everyone would love this one (from Morristown Partnership via Twitter). Always nice to pat yourself on the back...
JCP&L President: ‘We’re doing a great job’ in tough circumstances, hopes Greater Morristown back up today http://t.co/zeDhohG
Chris
7:17 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The highlands at morrisown station just got power!!!!
Sandy & Raul
7:32 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Any word on Vail Mansion? Come on VM
Ben Rosenberg
7:38 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Headquarters is back on-line (of course, after we move some servers).
Jamie Bronstein
7:48 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Is the Metropolitan at 40 Park still dark?
Meg
8:31 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
We hAd power at windmill pond off of james st last night. Went off agin around 5 guessing due to tbe explosion. Anyone heard on when we will get power back?
Martatown
8:59 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Explosion in burnham park. No power again! Come on
Dwitz
9:04 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
40 park condos got a generator so they have power, no thanks to jcp&l. 40 market (the metropolitan) is still in the dark.
Dwitz
9:05 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Saw lights on at vail mansion around 8pm when I walked by.
JG
9:23 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
No power here. Behind TJ.
CSS
10:42 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
If that's their largest substation, they are a rinky-dink company. I wonder if that means JCP&L or FirstEnergy? And was this guy the president of JCP&L or FirstEnergy?
Oh, nevermind, the IR section their site has all kinds of crap. Look at these awesome press releases:
http://investors.firstenergycorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=102230&p=irol-news
Annual Report (spoiler: they made more in 2010 than in 2009): https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/dam/investor/files/annual-reports/2010/2010-Annual-Report.pdf
Sandy & Raul
11:51 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Vail Mansion up as of 7pm. Hope everyone is soon, feels good to have power. Patch, well done
Robert Pickoff
5:23 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Morristown Patch was the only reliable source of information throughout this whole ordeal. Thank you very much, good job!!
Donna Lohmeyer
8:09 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Ditto!! Patch is rapidly becoming the source of news I count on most.
mary ann
11:49 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Totally agree.
Dwitz
6:06 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Still nothing at the metropolitan.
Martatown
6:50 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Nothing in burnham park still but the constant hum of generators. Who's the idiot that turned the power on with trees against wires still not cleared? Blew up a transformer on the pole and caused fires. How long is that going to take to fix? This area has had power problems constantly in the past too.
nick
6:58 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Anyone know if 320 South Street (parsons village) has power yet? Can't take this much longer.
Simon B
8:03 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
All still dark here at Metropolitan 40. The family seems to be starting signs of Webbs Disease (Chronic Internetropathy) brought on by connectivity depravation. If JCP&L don't save us soon, we will have to start eating each other.
Donna Lohmeyer
8:13 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Has anyone else had problems with phone and internet connections via Optimum? Our serice was out on Pine Street until Tuesday at about 6PM, then went out again mid-day Wednesday. No internet, fax or phone.
jp
9:14 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
parson village is still out - 310 south and 330 south are on but parson village is out
Jen
9:37 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hill Street (Ford Hill Terrace) is still in the dark. You can see the downed tree on the lines behind 44 Hill Street. When is that going to be removed??
Aaron M
9:54 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Gotta say Morristown Patch is making a HUGE name for themselves throughout this storm, your direct/concise and FAST updates and information has been incredible and truly awesome. Much appreciated personally, thank you. Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Aaron
...still in the dark @ Ford Hill Terrace.
Scott Straley
10:05 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hi New Neighbors,
We're moving to Morristown today, and since the storm, I've been unable to pay my JCP&L deposit. After emailing them and asking how I can pay if I can't get through on the phone, they told me to go to a payment center and pay, but then I still need to call them and tell them I paid. I can't believe that they'll divert a technician away from restoring people's power to shut off the power at our new home. So, if one shows up, I'll show him or her the receipt. If they still try to shut off my power, what are my options? Call the police? Stand in their way and prevent them from accessing the utility pole or meter? Spray my garden hose at them? :)
Well, we look forward to moving to moving to Morristown and being part of the community. For those who are still struggling with them, go to http://www.bpu.state.nj.us/bpu/assistance/complaints/inquiry.html and file a complaint. After enough complaints, perhaps the state will fine them or force them into tighter oversight.
Nice To Meet Everyone,
Scott & Will
Kathy Shaskan
10:37 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hi Scott and Will: Welcome to the area!
Leslie
10:15 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Best part of my morning - going to the JCP&L website to see if there was any status update, and the site is down for planned routine maintenance. Are they kidding? Day 5, no end in sight...LOL
Scott Straley
10:20 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
@Leslie, it's not planned maintenance, it's been happening all week. That's their default error page when their server is overloaded. Just wait a few moments and try again. (So, I guess by their logic, Morristown's outages are just "planned routine maintenance".) Anyway, You can call them too at 1-800-221-0479 and listen to 30 minutes of music before they disconnect you. It's like Pandora, but with just bad 70s songs.
Gwee
10:41 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Morristown is slowly regaining power. Please help me update my map of areas in morristown affected by the loss of power. http://g.co/maps/vbqs
GailMaureen Ferraro
10:57 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Dear Power and Electric company. As you sit home in your lit rooms eating lush food from your fridge and stovetop cooking, watching the news on cable, taking a hot bath, try to relate to being in the dark with none of the above since Sunday.
Leslie
11:15 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
@Scott - I have been trying off an on all morning and keep getting the same message. So sad...Love the Pandora comment - I thank you for the chuckle it gave me! :)
John
11:34 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Attorney General launching investigation of JCP&L. I am helping gather info. I am going to do everything in my power to shut them down and bring in a new power supplier.
Kathy Shaskan
11:40 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
John: Where did you see that? I'd like to write about it.
Megan
11:39 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
@ Donna - I have Cablevision and it stopped working last night around 10pm. No tv or inernet connection. I called and they are having problems throughout the area. Luckily I have power back as of yesterday so I can't complain.
Jon T
12:14 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Finally spoke to a live body today at JCP&L! You still need to slog through the automated menu at 800-544-4877, but at the very end they now give an option to speak to a rep. Spoke to a very nice/accomodating lady who told me the Spring Brook neighborhood should be back this afternoon. She even read me the repair logs. Will believe it when I see it, but keeping fingers crossed.
Elissa
1:56 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Sounds like JCP&L (or its parent company FirstEnergy out of Ohio) may be putting profits before people. The Star Ledger reports that PSE&G has 2.2 million customers and 6,000 employees on the ground. JCP&L has 1.1 million customers and 1,700 employees on the ground.
Read the article here: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/09/sluggish_response_to_hurricane.html
John
2:11 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
I am so glad my power is back on hope everyone who doesn't have power gets it soon. I have my cable through Verizon and as soon as the power went on so did the cable. While I am very happy about that I find it curious since JCP&L was telling me polls were down and Verizon goes out anytime the polls go down. I didn't see any Verizon trucks since the storm wondering if my cable ever went out. Even though I am glad the power is back I think something smells at JCP&L.