Text of state order to JCP&L to hire expert to investigate Morristown manhole explosions

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Last week a Morris Township mother of two testified about her injuries from a Morristown manhole explosion, and the state Board of Public Utilities directed Jersey Central Power & Light to hire an independent “special reliability master” to get to the bottom of these recurring explosions and fires.

Here is the order, and here are the relevant excerpts:

 A series of reliability-related events or “incidents” have occurred over the past several years on the Morristown underground electrical system. The number of incidents, and the severity of some of the incidents, lead the Board to conclude that there needs to be an investigation to determine if the incidents reflect systemic problems on the system, and if so, what measures, if any, should be taken by the Company to rectify the situation.

The latest incident, on August 31, 2011, resulted in personal injuries when heat discharged from a manhole injured a motorist waiting at a traffic light in Morristown, New Jersey. Before that, the Morristown community experienced a series of explosions that caused serious damage to the Morristown and Morris Township Library in May of 2010.    There have also been a number of other incidents where equipment malfunctions have caused power interruptions. Since 2005, there has been at least four other incidents where power was lost, evacuations were required or explosions that could have endangered lives have occurred.

In order to properly discharge its statutory responsibilities, as summarized above, and based on the recommendation of Board Staff, the Board has determined that it needs to begin a thorough investigation of the issues raised by the incidents described above with the aid of a qualified engineering firm. The scope of work would include, among other things, a critique of the system design in light of the numerous incidents over the past several years, an assessment of JCP&L’s operating and maintenance practices, and recommendations for improvements, if needed. As the investigation moves forward, the Board may need additional consulting services in other specific areas.

Accordingly, the Board HEREBY DIRECTS that JCP&L hire a Special Reliability Master subject to Board approval, to evaluate JCP&L’s design, operating, maintenance and performance standards as they pertain to the Morristown underground electric distribution system, and make recommendations to the Company and the Board on the appropriate courses of action necessary to ensure adequate reliability and safety in the Morristown underground network. The Special Reliability Master shall also work with local elected officials, and community and business leaders to address their concerns. JCP&L shall provide its recommendation to the Board with sufficient time for review by Board Staff prior to the October 13, 2011 Board meeting.

READ MORE ABOUT MORRISTOWN’S MANHOLES

Morristown Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman and Judy Stein-Loewenthal, who was injured by a manhole explosion in Morristown. Judy was scheduled to testify before the state Board of Public Utilities on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman and Judy Stein-Loewenthal, who was injured by a manhole explosion in Morristown, prior to their testimony before the state Board of Public Utilities. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

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