Today, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) demanded that Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) and Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) improve their storm response, because estimates that they have given to local mayors and residents are unacceptable.

Gottheimer also urged JCP&L President James Fakult, Chuck Jones, the CEO of JCP&L parent company FirstEnergy, and O&R CEO and President Robert Sanchez to join him after the cleanup is over at a community forum to hear from frustrated residents. Gottheimer spent the afternoon yesterday touring storm damage with mayors in Sussex and Warren Counties and today in northern Bergen County. He has been in touch with mayors, emergency workers and first responders from across the Fifth District all week.

“With another storm potentially on its way early this week, it’s clear that JCP&L and O&R have not been moving fast enough to get the lights back on and they have not had a well-coordinated effort. We need to return power to residents of North Jersey, who have been living in the dark for more than a week. I hope that company executives will join me in meeting in front of the residents that they have let down this week, and I hope that they will do everything in their power to fix this mess,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

Many families have been without power since last Friday, March 2nd — lacking power to operate water wells, heat to stay warm in sub-20 degree weather, and light to see. Many schools and businesses have been closed since last week because of down power lines. When Gottheimer met with mayors in Sussex and Warren County, yesterday, and spoke to residents, it was clear that many residents, especially those without generators, are suffering without heat, in some cases resorting to sitting in their cars to power up their phones and keep warm.