New Jersey Board of Public Utilities launches investigation over utilities’ winter storm response

New Jersey’s utilities face increased scrutiny over their handling of winter storms Quinn and Riley, as the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is now officially investigating them at the direction of the governor.

At the heart of the investigation are the thousands of state residents left without power for more than 10 days –and some still without. The board will hold five public hearings, including three in the Jersey Central Power & Light service area. The first public hearing is anticipated to take place within the next few weeks, as dictated by NJBPU President Joseph Fiordaliso. They will also review utility storm protocols created in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Irene and assess whether these protocols were followed. Regardless, they will also identify where improvements could be made to them.

“I would like to personally thank the thousands of men and women who have been working tirelessly out in the field to get New Jersey back up and running,” Fiordaliso said. “I would also like to acknowledge the hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents who have suffered without power during these storms for their patience, including those who still remain in the dark and cold today. I assure you, we are going to get to the bottom of this.”

While public input will form a key basis for the investigation, the board also intends to review vegetation management procedures, along with utilities’ communication efforts with their customers and their own executive management and dispatching protocols, State and local emergency management offices will be briefed over the course of the investigation as to what transpired.