NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service
Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is establishing as many as 15
mobile response centers in eight New
Jersey neighborhoods to assist customers whose gas service
was affected by severe flooding resulting from Hurricane Irene.
PSE&G personnel are on site in Manville, Bound
Brook, Pompton Lakes,
Fairfield, Wallington, Paterson, Little
Falls, and Wayne to
coordinate customer service and restoration of gas service once the
flooding subsides and people are able to re-enter their homes and
businesses. The location of these centers will change as
different towns become available for restoration. The company
estimates that about 26,600 gas customers have been impacted by
flooding.
For safety reasons, gas supplies were proactively taken out of
service in some towns due to flooding. Restoration time depends on
when water recedes in flooded areas, so that crews can safely enter
homes and businesses. Gas restoration is a labor-intensive process,
as each restoration is done one home or business at a time and
requires an inspection from town officials before service can be
restored.
Reporters or camera crews who wish to visit a mobile center
should call 973-430-7734.
To help ensure the safety of our customers and employees in our
service territory, the utility is offering the following tips:
Flooded basements:
- If customers lose electricity and their basement is flooded,
notify PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG and call your local fire
department.
- If water rises to the height of the gas burner on a water
heater or gas furnace, customers can shut off the individual supply
of gas to the unit if they know how.
Scan for hazards before entering a basement that has been
flooded:
- Customers should call PSE&G immediately if they smell gas
at 1-800-436-PSEG.
- Use extreme caution; expect floors and stairs to be oily and
slippery.
- Don't go into basements with standing water, raw sewage or
obvious electric hazards.
- Stay away from the electric circuit breaker panel if it's in a
flooded basement. Don't go into a flooded basement if
energized wires are present.
- Stay out of buildings that remain in the floodwaters.
- Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.
Flood-impacted PSE&G customers have important
responsibilities in the process of restoring electric and gas
service
Gas service cannot be restored until the following occurs:
- Safe access to your home and appliances must be provided.
- Flooded areas of the home/building must be free of standing
water.
- Gas-fired equipment must be accessible and at least one
appliance must be ready to turn-on.
- Obtain municipality inspections, if required. Satisfy
municipal requirements.
- Electric service MUST be restored before your gas service can
be restored.
- Once the above requirements are met, contact PSE&G at
800-436-PSEG (7734) to have the gas service restored.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is
New Jersey's oldest and largest
regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly
three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the
winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system
reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified
energy company (www.pseg.com).
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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)