JCP&L Upgrading Red Bank Operations Center

The utility is installing components to enhance its emergency communications capabilities.

JCP&L is taking steps to improve its ability to communicate with first responders during a large-scale emergency. The utility will install components of the New Jersey Preparedness Emergency Communication Network at its regional dispatching operations in Red Bank and Morristown, spokesman Ron Morano said Thursday. The facilities manage the daily work on the company's electrical system and provide coordination when repair crews are dispatched during widespread power outages. “Participating in this system will enhance our ability to share real-time critical information with our customers, communities and first responders during emergency situations,” JCP&L President Don Lynch said in a press release. “Joining this system is one of the many …

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Hurricane Sandy

JCP&L to Continue Working on Outages "As Safety Permits"

Still 74,012 in the dark in Ocean and Monmouth counties

There are currently 28,176 JCP&L customers without power in Ocean County and 45,836 without power in Monmouth County, according to an update on the JCP&L website. Those numbers change constantly as crews continue to work on outages throughout the region. However, the nor'easter starting to move into the area may cause new outages as well as coastal flooding, according to the National Weather Service. JCP&L, in a prepared statement, says: "Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has restored power to more than 900,000 of the 1.2 million JCP&L customers affected by Hurricane Sandy, marking five consecutive days where crews have restored at least 100,000 customers per day. While restoration continues, JCP&L is preparing for a Nor'easter that is …

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Port Monmouth Fire's Facebook Helps Keep Community Connected

The Port Monmouth Fire Company is asking residents to follow its Facebook page to keep updated regarding relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

In Port Monmouth, power is a luxury.  The area is one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy in Middletown, according to Lt. Dave Aguirre with the Port Monmouth Fire Company.  After the firehouse filled with about four feet of water, contaminating and destroying about 90 percent of their gear, the first step was to get the station somewhat operational, Aguirre said. After that, firefighters are helping each other and residents deal with their losses.  “When we’re not at the firehouse, we’re at another guy's house helping clean it up,” Aguirre said. The firehouse is operational, Aguirre said, but until power is restored to the area, which could take up to 14 days, it will not be fully operational. Aguirre said they are running on a skeleton …

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Hurricane Sandy

UPDATE: Nearly 247,000 Without Power in Ocean and Monmouth

Outages to increase as Sandy barrels towards the Shore

Update, 6 p.m.: Outages have reached 126,739 in Ocean County and 120,000 in Monmouth County. --- There are nearly 24,000 reported power outages in Monmouth and Ocean counties as of early Monday afternoon, according to a Jersey Central Power & Light map. As of early Monday afternoon, there were 23,559 outages reported in Monmouth and Ocean. However, there was no way to immediately learn if some without power have not reported it yet because they may have no means of communication without electricity. But according to the information available, the highest number of outages in one town in the two counties was Middletown, with 6,869. Another town with a high number of reported outages was Berkeley in southern Ocean County with 1,848. …

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Hurricane Sandy

HURRICANE SANDY: JCP&L Says it Learned From Its Mistakes

Stresses storm may knock out power for 7-10 days

  Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) President Don Lynch says the company has learned from the mistakes it made from Hurricane Irene and is ready for Hurricane Sandy and the threat it poses to the state. The company took heat when Hurricane Irene left many New Jersey towns without power for days - and, in some cases, weeks. Many thought JCP&L's response was too slow. The biggest lesson learned is getting the information out to customers and municipalities as specifically, quickly and often as possible, Lynch said. The company wants its customers to know as much information as possible, he said. "Just know that Jersey Central will be working hard day and night - we've already started, should that storm hit shore here and cause outages …

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Middletown Set to Go Green with Solar

Township adopts 'guaranty' bond ordinances to assure participation in Monmouth County Improvement Authority county-wide program.

Middletown is ready and set to go green by doing its part in the county-wide solar energy initiative. Dubbed the Monmouth County Improvement Authority Renewable Energy Program, the plan is being undertaken by several county municipalities, including Middletown, its sewerage authority and some schools. The program is touted as one that is predicted to give an economical and ecological boost to towns. Requiring no capital spending outlay, essentially, MCIA’s Renewable Energy costs nothing in municipal tax dollars. Its debt for design, engineering and consultant costs are assumed entirely by the county entity. The developer that wins the bid to construct and maintain the solar structures — and provide, or sell off, the energy at a reduced …

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