BPU head: Expect widespread, lengthy outages
POMPTON LAKES, N.J. (AP) — The head of New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities says residents should brace themselves for widespread and prolonged power outages.
BPU president Bob Hanna appeared at a news conference in Pompton Lakes with Gov. Chris Christie on Sunday. Hanna says the state’s four public utilities expect high winds and heavy rains to take their toll over the next few days.
The utilities, in particular Jersey Central Power and Light, were heavily criticized last year after the remnants of Irene and Tropical Storm Lee hit the state.
Hanna says the utilities’ performance will be “much better” this time around, but says this storm has the potential to threaten even large transmission lines.
Most of the outages will be due to downed trees hitting power lines and flooding in substations.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
