Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) has concluded one of the largest restoration operations in the company’s history, successfully restoring power to more than 380,000 customers following a week of devastating weather that spanned the July 4th holiday weekend.
The massive restoration effort addressed the aftermath of a “heat dome” and severe thunderstorms that pummeled New Jersey from July 1 through July 8. The storms, which featured winds in excess of 70 mph, caused significant damage, bringing down approximately 1,500 trees across the state and damaging critical utility infrastructure.
PSE&G crews worked around the clock throughout the holiday weekend, supported by a workforce of thousands, including contractors and mutual aid partners from across the region. The complexity of the damage required a comprehensive repair strategy that included:
- Infrastructure Repair: Replacing or repairing approximately 700 utility poles.
- Debris Management: Deploying 170 tree crews to clear 1,500 fallen trees that blocked access to damaged equipment.
- Field Operations: Coordinating 165 specialized utility crews to navigate difficult terrain and backyard lines.
- Customer Support: Completing more than 7,000 air conditioner repairs and replacing 110 systems to help residents manage the oppressive heat.
“Mother Nature does not recognize holidays or weekends, yet neither did the men and women who answered the call to serve,” Kim Hanemann, president and chief operating officer of PSE&G said. She noted that the event ranks among the top ten most impactful storms in the utility’s history.
Local officials praised the utility’s coordination with municipal departments and first responders. In hard-hit areas like Bergen County—where residents endured both extreme heat and significant property damage—local leadership highlighted the vital nature of the collaboration.
“The recovery of our communities was truly a team effort,” Senator Holly Schepisi, representing the 39th Legislative District said. “The coordination among all involved exemplified the very best of public service.”
South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum echoed this sentiment, noting that the restoration of nearly 10 percent of the town’s homes was the result of “constant collaboration between PSE&G, our municipal team, and an incredible community.”
PSE&G attributed the successful restoration, in part, to years of proactive investment in system modernization. These ongoing projects include replacing aging infrastructure to strengthen the electric grid, which allowed crews to restore service more efficiently even as severe temperatures hampered operations.
By the time the last two customers were restored at 2:00 a.m. on July 8, PSE&G had maintained a communication channel that sent over 10 million text and email updates to customers, providing transparency throughout the challenging week.
