Holmdel, New Jersey Development News

JCP&NL Details Infrastructure Project to Enhance Grid Reliability

JCP&NL representative Jose Ortiz presented an update on an infrastructure replacement and reliability project involving adding a second 345 KV circuit to an existing pole line. The project aims to address aging equipment installed in the 1970s and enhance reliability to prevent potential outages affecting over 200,000 customers in Mammoth County. Ortiz clarified that the project is a response to decades of residential growth and economic development, not for data centers. He detailed the extensive coordination process with township officials since late 2023, including obtaining zoning and tree removal permits, and notified residents through mailings. The presentation was followed by extensive questioning from the committee and public regarding project costs, impact, communication, outage response, tree trimming policies, and prioritization during outages. Concerns were raised about the aesthetic impact of new poles and wires, the process for handling damaged property, and the effectiveness of JCP&NL's communication and response protocols. The committee and public also discussed the historical context of the project as an alternative to a previously rejected transmission line, the role of the BPU, and potential impacts on various stakeholders. JCP&NL committed to bringing a full project team in September to address detailed questions.