JCP&L Completes Pre-Winter Inspections and Maintenance to Help Keep Power Flowing Safely and Reliably During the Colder Months Investing.com

The company offers tips to customers for managing seasonal heating bills

HOLMDEL, NJ, December 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: NYSE:), has completed preventive maintenance and inspections to strengthen the electrical grid in its 3,200-square-mile service area and help keep power flowing safely and reliably to customers during the cold winter months.

The work, which includes active testing of important equipment, vehicles and the environment around the lines, ensures that the system is ready for the increase in demand brought by cold temperatures and strong snow, ice and wind that can damage the poles, cables and equipment of the station. during winter storms.

Doug MokoidPresident of FirstEnergy, New Jersey: “JCP&L customers depend on safe, reliable electric service to stay warm and comfortable during these very cold months. Although we’ve had a string of mild winters, we don’t know what Mother Nature has in store for us this year, and we’re making sure our system, our equipment and our team members they are ready for whatever comes our way.”

Seasonal preparations include:

• Winterized substation buildings that house remote control devices.
• Maintenance of substation heating equipment to ensure that cold weather does not lead to equipment malfunction.
• Testing batteries used to power electronics that can sense abnormal conditions in the system and motors use switches to isolate those problems.
• Equipment inspection uses high-tech thermal imaging cameras to look for hardware problems and potential “hot spots,” or weak spots in lines.
• Inspection of transmission lines using a helicopter in areas that are not visible from the ground.
• Servicing the company’s bucket trucks and other vehicles to ensure safe operation during the winter season, with special emphasis on the condition of tires and air brake systems, which can freeze in the presence of moisture.
• Inspecting snow chains and snow removal equipment to ensure safe access to work areas.

Trimming trees throughout the year also helps strengthen the power system before the winter season by maintaining proper clearance around electrical equipment. JCP&L and its certified tree contractors have cut more than 3,100 miles of power lines so far this year, with more than 300 miles expected to be completed by the end of December.

In addition to infrastructure maintenance, JCP&L employees also participated in drills and exercises throughout the year to test the company’s recovery process used to deal with winter storm-related power outages. With a primary focus on safety, company leadership is also reviewing cold weather safety procedures with field workers, including tips for navigating slippery conditions and helping ensure safe arrival at work sites. Crews are also reminded to drink water and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite and stay focused.

Customers can review tips for preparing in advance for severe weather, and view restoration updates if storms cause power outages, by visiting FirstEnergy’s 24/7 Power Center at firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Cold Weather Tips for Customers

With winter storm season comes cold temperatures and rising energy costs. Customers can take steps to keep their homes comfortable while managing their electric bill this cold season. The following tips can help customers use electricity wisely during this time of peak demand:¯

• Seal any leaks in windows and door frames with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent cold air from entering your home.
• Close the fireplace when not in use to keep cold air out.
• Close the drapes at night. During the day, open only those that receive direct sunlight.
• Check the furnace fan filters. Clogged filters waste energy and money by forcing the heating system to work harder than necessary.
• Make sure your home is properly sealed. If you have less than six inches of insulation, you will benefit from adding more.
• Payment arrangements and assistance programs are available for customers who need help with their electricity bills. For more information, visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
• Additional energy efficiency tips and free energy saving resources, home energy analyzers and information on other JCP&L managed energy saving programs can be found at energysavenj.com.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers New Jersey in the regions of Burlington (NYSE: ), Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer (NASDAQ:), Middle sex, Monmouth, Morris, The sea, The Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X @JCP_Lon Facebook (NASDAQ:) at facebook.com/JCPandL or online at jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and excellence. Its electricity distribution companies form one of the largest investor-owned electricity systems, serving customers In Ohio, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp or online at firstenergycorp.com.

Editor’s note: Photos of employees testing to improve service reliability for JCP&L customers are available for download on Flickr.