NEW JERSEY: Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has kicked off a major infrastructure project aimed at reducing the frequency and impact of power outages for more than 5,000 customers in northern New Jersey.
The work is being carried out along several power lines connected to JCP&L’s Cozy Lake substation. Customers in Jefferson and Rockaway Townships (Morris County), West Milford Township (Passaic County), and Hardyston and Sparta Townships (Sussex County) are set to benefit from the upgrades.
Doug Mokoid, President of FirstEnergy New Jersey, said:
“These are some of the most extensive improvements under our New Jersey Reliability Improvement Program. We’re taking a comprehensive approach to strengthening service reliability—this includes vegetation management, improving line resiliency, balancing loads, and adding more flexibility and redundancy to the system.”
Key components of the project
- Enhanced tree-trimming efforts: Crews are currently removing dead or diseased trees along the power lines to prevent future damage.
- Upgrading 11.5 miles of infrastructure: Stronger poles and higher-capacity overhead wires are being installed to better withstand storms and carry more electricity.
- Adding over 3 miles of underground lines: These new underground sections will reduce the risk of outages in key areas.
- Installing 60 new smart devices: This includes TripSaver devices that can detect and fix temporary issues—like a tree branch brushing against the line—without needing to dispatch a crew.
- Reconfiguring service for over 2,400 customers: These customers will be shifted to nearby power lines that are closer to substations, improving outage response and load balance.
As part of the project, portions of the line along Route 23 will be moved closer to the road, where new fiberglass poles and crossarms will be installed to improve resistance to tree-related damage.
This work is part of JCP&L’s New Jersey Reliability Improvement Program, a two-phase initiative targeting high-priority power lines based on past outage performance. The first phase involves at least $95 million in upgrades over a three-year period.
It also supports Energize365, FirstEnergy’s long-term grid modernization program, which plans to invest $26 billion from 2024 to 2028 across six states. The goal is to build a smarter, stronger grid that meets both current needs and future energy demands.
Looking for some good news about fewer power outages in New Jersey? Visit our website for updates on local energy upgrades and what they mean for your area.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is based on Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)’s ongoing infrastructure project. It is intended for informational purposes only, and specific details may change over time. For the latest updates and official announcements, please refer to JCP&L or FirstEnergy’s official sources.