PSE&G Prepares for Power Pole Project

Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask experts specific questions about PSE&G's planned overhaul of transmission lines during a public meeting this Thursday, July 7, 4:30 p.m. at the Westminster Hotel on Route 10 in Livingston.

In March, the energy company  plans for the North Central Reliability Program, which would upgrade the capacity of their transmission lines from 138,000 voltage to a 230,000 volt system in 15 municipalities throughout New Jersey, including Livingston, West Orange, Chatham, Roseland and Florham Park.

In addition seven substations, including the Laurel Avenue Substation in Livingston, will be upgraded. In total, the project is expected to cost between $300 million and $350 million.

In late May, PSE&G formally submitted its application for the upgrades to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for approval.

The new higher-capacity transmission lines will address the increasing energy needs of customers which have steadily risen over the years along the adoption of newer technology, such as televisions, computers and video game devices.

Recently, the need for electricity has shown little signs of slowing down and is expected to continue to trend upward, according to PSE&G president and COO Ralph LaRossa. "The demand for electricity in the region is expected to continue to grow over the long term, despite the current economic slowdown and conservation efforts," LaRossa said in a statement.

Portions of the system have been in service since the 1920s and are nearing the end of their useful life, according to the company. As a part of the transmission line overhaul current electrical towers will be replaced by monopoles that are roughly 35 feet taller in height.

In an interview with Patch in March, PSE&G spokesperson Deann Muzikar explained that all of the work associated with the upgrades will be conducted on or close to the company's existing right of way. "There will be no disruption in power service or traffic delays relating to the project," he said.

Input from the public has been important during the on-going process, according to LaRossa. "PSE&G is committed to being as responsive as possible to any questions or concerns the public may have about this project.” To date, the company has held a total of six public workshops for residents in the various towns affected by the proposed upgrades.

While the project is designed to help improve service for customers in the region, PSE&G officials also expect it to help create jobs locally and to help bolster the economy.

In its petition to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the company points to research conducted by the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy, which suggests that the project would have a positive impact on the state's economy. According to testimony provided by Dr. Joseph J. Seneca, a Rutgers professor, the project would generate an estimated $9.6 million in state tax revenues and $5.3 million in local tax revenues.

PSE&G estimates that the project's construction will create 400 new jobs in the state over a two-year period.

Provided that the Board of Public Utilities approves the application, work on the project is expected to begin in early 2012 with an in-service date of 2014.