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Hornik calls for increased fines on public utilities who fail to prepare for storms

Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik blasted JCP&L’s recovery response to Tropical Storm Isaias and the utility’s horrendous communications with the public and local government officials in testimony delivered to the NJ Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on Monday.

Isaias blew through New Jersey in about four hours on August 4th. It took JCP&L over four days to get power fully restored in Monmouth County.

“I’m tired of being JCP&L’s front office with the public,” Hornik declared while telling the committee of the electric company’s numerous lies and miscommunications to him personally and to the public through texts and the companies website. He spoke of trucks and crews sitting idle for hours while awaiting instructions and of consumers receiving text messages asking them to confirm that their power was restored before any work had been done to turn the lights on.

Hornik said that JCPL’s management thinks they did a great job responding to the storm. NJ law creates a disincentive for utilities to invest in infrastructure and storm recovery teams. “The Board of Public Utilities can only fine companies a few hundres dollars for violating and order,” the mayor said. “They answer to shareholders. I don’t blame them.”

Hornik implored the committee to create incentives for JCPL to improve the storm response performance.

The mayor submitted the following letter to Committee Chair, Senator Linda Greenstein:

JCPLIsaiasltrSenGreenstein

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Posted: October 23rd, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Jon Hornik, Marlboro, Monmouth County News | Tags: , , | 1 Comment »

One Comment on “Hornik calls for increased fines on public utilities who fail to prepare for storms”

  1. Lifetime Marlboro Resident said at 9:37 pm on October 29th, 2020:

    Thanks to the Mayor for his excellent testimony. Listen to the whole recording. IMO, it’s even better than the written letter.