Berkeley Urges State Officials To Better Prepare For Outages

BERKELEY, NJ — The power outages since Tropical Storm Isaias have brought several issues to light in Berkeley and New Jersey. Berkeley Township Council passed two resolutions Tuesday urging state officials to take action on outages.

One resolution urges Governor Phil Murphy to require power companies to reimburse citizens for losses associated with the mass outages from Isaias. The Aug. 4 storm left more than 1.3 million homes without power — many for multiple days — according to officials.

Several power companies around the state reimbursed customers for losses such as spoiled food associated with the outages. But Jersey Central Power & Light, which covers Berkeley and most of Ocean County, did not.

"We cannot expect our residents, especially our senior residents, and those struggling with the financial impacts of COVID-19, to go without any reimbursement for the loss of hundreds of dollars of food," Berkeley's resolution says.

Berkeley's Township Council joined several officials, including Ocean County freeholders, who have called on power companies to reimburse such losses.

"Many of our residents had stocked up on food because of the coronavirus pandemic and they are concerned about leaving their home to go to the food stores," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari.

Berkeley Township Council also passed a resolution at Tuesday's meeting urging state legislators to require utility companies to run new power lines underground. Local officials also want power companies to begin switching out older lines to move toward a completely underground system.

"The Township Council recognizes the fees associated with such an endeavor and recommends the Legislature further identify funding sources and programs for power companies so that the ratepayers are not tasked with financially supporting these projects," the resolutions says.

Isaias caused power outages throughout most of Berkeley and significant damage around town. Photos showed significant damage at the Berkeley Little League complex, including destruction to one of the dugouts. Read more: Tropical Storm Isaias Causes Damage, Outages In Berkeley

More than 150,000 Ocean County homes lost power because of Isaias.

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