Assembly Republican Sean Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, released the following statement this week.

Assembly Republican Sean Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, said the public is anxiously waiting to hear from Jersey Central Power & Electric (JCP&L) about its plans for protecting power substations, many of which were flooded from Hurricane Sandy. In Monmouth County, the Glendola substation in Wall Township flooded and water came dangerously close to the Sea Girt and Manasquan substations. Substations transform voltage from either high to low, or the opposite, and distribute it to users such as residential homes or to power trains. 

“One reason people experienced extended losses of power after Superstorm Sandy was because substations were flooded and the time consumed in repairing this critical piece of electrical infrastructure,” said Kean. “In early December, JCP&L said they would let us know what their plans were for addressing this issue. We shouldn’t have to experience another major storm to understand what, if anything is being done to alleviate the susceptibility of the substations. Everyone agrees that communication between the utilities and the public needs to improve. This would be a good first step.”

Kean noted a recent letter by Stefanie Brand, director of the Division of Rate Counsel within the Treasury Department, recommended that flood-prone substations be elevated or have flood walls built around existing structures.