JCP&L Rate Hike Hearings Bring Criticism, Support

Final hearing on a 4.1 percent increase for state's second largest utility

The sixth and final hearing on a request for a rate increase by the state’s second largest utility company met with a mix of praise and criticism for Jersey Central Power & Light Wednesday at Freehold Township’s Town Hall. JCP&L, fresh off widespread criticism for its handling of Hurricane Sandy and the Nor’easter that followed, is seeking a 4.1 percent increase in the rates it charges its 1.1 million customers – many of whom were without power for up to two weeks after this winter’s storms. The Morristown-based company, the main power supplier in Monmouth, Ocean and Morris counties, is seeking to recoup the $630 million it spent on repairs following Sandy. It has petitioned the state regulatory board -- the Board of Public Utilities -- …

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Over 700 Without Power in Marlboro After First Thunderstorm

April showers bring power outages in Marlboro Township.

Over 700 Marlboro homes are reportedly without power as of Wednesday at 9 p.m., according to the JCP&L outage map. An evening thunderstorm, the first of spring, brought heavy winds and rain to the area. The outages come on the heels of an announcment made by Assemblywomen Amy H. Handlin and Caroline Casagrande; that they have collected hundreds of signatures objecting to a rate hike proposed by JCP&L, which began public hearings on Monday. Make sure you, your loved ones and your property are protected with these tips: We suggest printing out this list so you can access it during an outage and programming JCP&L’s outage line into your cell phone. 

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cynicinmarlboro

5:55 am on Thursday, April 11, 2013

When I moved to the area 30 years ago the power would go out at the first raindrop. Little seems to have changed in that time although it was a little better for a while. Of course JCP&L will use this to push for the increase when much more should have been done in those 30 years.   more ›

High Winds Bring Power Outages Ahead of Nor'easter in Marlboro and Colts Neck

As of 3:30 p.m., over 1,200 houses in Marlboro and Colts Neck are without power.

Update: As of 6:40 p.m. all of Colts Neck is reportedly with power and less than 5 locations in Marlboro are without power. Hours before snow makes landfall in New Jersey, Marlboro and Colts Neck residents find themselves without power. As of 3:30 p.m. in Marlboro, 697 households are without power. In Colts Neck, 603 households are reported without power. High winds began blowing through the area as early as 9 a.m. JCP&L reported early today that it was preparing for the storm with extra line trucks and crew workers. For residents who lose power, JCP&L is encouraging them to report outages through their new smartphone app. The app can be found by searching FirstEnergy in their online store. Outages can also be reported by calling 1-888-…

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Joy Calogero

4:05 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013

I agree. First of all, not all of the residents in town have smartphones or the internet...never mind the fact they don't have power.   more ›

Hurricane Sandy

North Jersey Town May Back Marlboro's JCP&L Rate Hike Intervention

West Milford is looking into backing Marlboro's plan to legally intervene the proposed rate hike.

A North Jersey town is thinking about joining Marlboro's legal action to intervene in JCP&L's quest for a rate hike. West Milford's local government spoke at its council meeting last week about backing the proposal, which would allows townships to join the conversation as the Board of Public Utilities decides whether or not a rate hike is justified. According to Suburban Trends, West Milford Mayor Bettina Bieri said the suggested $31 million annual rate increase is an opportunity for NJ municipalities to voice their discontent with the electric company's Hurricane Sandy response. "Overall, there is significant frustration with JCP&L regarding their delayed response for service restoration after each of the recent storms," the West Milford …

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JCP&L Again Says it Will Improve Communication

The company also touted communication enhancements after Hurricane Irene.

Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) is saying that it will improve its communication with towns during "significant storm events," after the utility company was criticized by many municipal officials after Hurricane Sandy. The company attempted communication improvements on the ground after Hurricane Irene in 2011, but Mayor Jon Hornik in Marlboro and former Mayor Jarrett Engel in Colts Neck both agree that more needs to be done. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Engel said his updates from JCP&L corporate officers were either outdated or incorrect.  "Unfortunately, we have found that communication with JCP&L regarding timing and location has been unreliable and inaccurate; with no information beyond today, other than that most of …

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Power Outages Sweep Morganville into Old Bridge

The outages began in the Route 9 corridor and continued to spread.

Widespread power outages are sweeping the Morganville area and into Old Bridge as JCP&L tries to figure out why. Police Captain Steve Mennona said the outages are spread throughout town, and JCP&L hasn't given the department a reason. Within the last few days, outages were also reported in the area of the Marlboro Early Learning Center. JCP&L's outage map shows over 3,000 homes in Marlboro Township are currently without power as of 7:25 p.m. Mayor Jon Hornik's Facebook page said his correspondence with JCP&L indicated trucks are heading to the Texas Road substation in Morganville. "Repair trucks have been dispatched to the substation and will report back shortly. The cause of the outages is not known at this time. I will pass on …

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Hurricane Sandy

JCP&L Offers Customers Payment Plan Options In Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

In addition to payment plan arrangements there is a 'promise to pay' extension of up to 10 days beyond the due date printed on the latest statement

JCP&L has revised its payment plan options for customers who may need help paying their electric bills in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. “Hurricane Sandy was a devastating storm and continues to be a financial hardship for many of our customers,” said Ronald Green, vice president of FirstEnergy. Payment plans can be more flexible than the current installment plan arrangements and revised plans will remain in effect through March 15, 2013. “Whether it be lengthening the payback period or reducing the down payment amount, our goal is to tailor the payment plan options to better assist customers in the hardest hit areas,” Green said. The revised payment plan arrangements for JCP&L customers are: For customers in New Jersey who might need a…

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