In recent weeks, there have been letters to the editor and newspaper advertisements from a special interest group that have painted an unfair picture of Jersey Central Power & Light’s (JCP&L) proposed rate plan.
As president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1289, representing more than 1,150 JCP&L employees, I know firsthand that our members have worked hard to strengthen JCP&L’s infrastructure and enhance service reliability across its 13-county territory. Projects include completing substation expansions and enhancements, upgrading distribution circuits, and inspecting and replacing utility poles and underground distribution cables.
These efforts are paying off. Outage duration times improved by more than 12 percent in early 2014 compared to the same period last year.
And even though JCP&L had the lowest residential rates of the four New Jersey utilities regulated by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), these efforts to improve service reliability do not come without cost.
The BPU is being asked to consider JCP&L’s proposed rate plan as well as $750 million in costs that JCP&L incurred to restore customers to service after the devastating storms of 2011 and 2012. Even before severe weather events like Irene and Sandy, our region experienced increased demand for electricity and required a significant investment to manage that demand.
As consumers of electricity, we should expect to see rate changes to address these past expenditures as well as to make future infrastructure improvements that will help our region grow and prosper.
New Jersey citizens should not be misled by the shortsighted messages of a special interest group. IBEW Local Union 1289 members are proud of the work we do to provide reliable electric service to more than 1 million JCP&L customers.
JCP&L has made great strides with its new management team and has demonstrated a true commitment to its customers.
The common goal of IBEW and JCP&L is to deliver quality electric service at an affordable price. Our customers deserve no less.
Edward Stroup
President/Business Manager
IBEW Local 1289
Beachwood