Morris Elected Leaders for P.O.W.E.R (Progress. On. Wise. Electricial. Refurbishments)

We, as Democratic elected officials of Morris County, demand JCP&L improve infrastructure and reliability.  We ask the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to mandate improvements and restitution. In the spirit of bipartisanship, we ask our Republican colleagues to join us in demanding reliable power service.

Last week, Tropical Storm Isaias devastated our power grid, leaving tens of thousands throughout Morris County without electricity for four days or more. On top of the health and economic fallout of the global pandemic, families and businesses were forced to throw out food and dispose of medicine. Those working from home were unable to conduct business or properly do their job. The impact of losing power for such a prolonged period is unacceptable and action needs to be taken to protect our homes and businesses from future outages.

Earlier this week, Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano issued a letter to JCP&L and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. This letter called on JCP&L to reimburse residents and businesses for the cost of spoiled food and medicine, an action already being taken by Con Edison in New York.  We are in lockstep agreement with this request.

Furthermore, we demand that JCP&L improve their processes and make tangible, necessary improvements as follows:

• Accelerate and expand the installation of smart devices including the “TripSaver” smart reset devices and smart utility poles to improve monitoring and trouble-shooting;
• Make our substations weather resistant to extreme weather conditions;
• Improve preparedness to ensure timely arrival of out-of-state repair teams;
• Improve communications to residents and within the JCP&L organization.

As elected officials serving across Morris County, we urge JCP&L to take action on these ideas to avoid another unnecessary, widespread power outage in our communities.

Every passing year leaves our communities increasingly reliant on stable, reliable electricity, a trend irreversibly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without major improvements to our electrical infrastructure, and support for those who suffer losses during prolonged outages, public confidence in the utility system will continue to wane.

Sincerely,

Mayor Richard Corcoran, Boonton

Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz, Chatham Borough

Mayor Joseph Pannullo, East Hanover

Mayor Robert Conley, Madison

Mayor Jason Karr, Morris Plains

Mayor Tim Dougherty, Morristown

Mayor Michael Soriano, Parsippany

Alderman Joseph Fenske, Boonton

Alderwoman Marie DeVenezia, Boonton

Councilwoman Carolyn Dempsey, Chatham Borough

Councilwoman Irene Treloar, Chatham Borough

Councilwoman Jocelyn Mathiasen, Chatham Borough

Councilwoman Karen Koronkiewicz, Chatham Borough

Committeewoman Celeste Fondaco, Chatham Township

Committeewoman Stacey Ewald, Chatham Township

Committeewoman Tracy Ness, Chatham Township

Alderman Carlos Valencia, Dover

Alderman Marcos Tapia, Dover

Councilman John Hoover, Madison

Committeewoman Amalia Duarte, Mendham Township

Councilwoman Cynthia Korman, Mountain Lakes

Councilwoman Janet Horst, Mountain Lakes

Councilwoman Lauren Barnett, Mountain Lakes

Councilman Thomas Menard, Mountain Lakes

Councilwoman Joan Goddard, Morris Plains

Councilwoman Nancy Verga, Morris Plains

Councilwoman Emily Peterson, Parsippany

Councilwoman Janice McCarthy, Parsippany

Councilman Jonathan Sackett, Rockaway Township

Councilman Manny Friedlander, Rockaway Township