Translator Disclaimers
For Immediate Release: Contact: Peter Peretzman
Date: 09/11/2018 609-984-9707
Hurricane Florence, currently a Category 4 storm, as it heads toward the Eastern Seaboard and is expected to hit shore Thursday night in the Carolinas.
TRENTON—The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has committed agency resources and staff to monitor the progress of Hurricane Florence, currently a Category 4 storm, as it heads toward the Eastern Seaboard and is expected to hit shore Thursday night in the Carolinas.

 

“We are working with the Board of Public Utilities and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJ OEM) as we closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Florence,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Storm tracking is a science, but often an imperfect one, and we are taking every precaution to ensure that our utilities and our state and local officials are prepared in the event that forecasts change,” he added.

 

NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso said his office would continue to be in constant communication with the utilities, the New Jersey State Police, and other NJ OEM partners.

 

“The first order of storm preparedness is to ensure that all protocols are followed,” he said. “New Jersey will be ready for any event, regardless of the severity of the storm.”

 

In July, the NJBPU voted unanimously to accept the findings of an investigative report conducted in direct response to the March 2018 nor’easters that left hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents without power. As a result, NJBPU mandated additional required actions by the state’s four electric distribution companies. This is in addition to the more than 100 requirements put in place after Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy.

 

NJBPU Staff will monitor utility response leading up to, during, and after the storm to ensure compliance. Staff will also continue to evaluate whether additional protocols should be considered.

 

President Fiordaliso said hurricane season, which officially started June 1, is a good opportunity for residents to stock up on essential household items in the event of an outage. According to the NJ OEM website, www.ready.nj.gov, they include: flashlights; extra batteries; battery-powered radio; bottled water; blankets and sleeping bags; medications and personal health items; cell phone and car charger; first-aid kit; convenience foods; and a can opener.

 

 

Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
The NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by the NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents.
To find out more about the NJBPU, visit our web site at
www.nj.gov/bpu.

 

About the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)
NJCEP, established on January 22, 2003, in accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA), provides financial and other incentives to the State's residential customers, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing energy usage, lowering customers' energy bills and reducing environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website is
www.NJCleanEnergy.com.