JCP&L Launches $34 Million Tree-Trimming Initiative to Mitigate Power Outages

2023 Work Schedule Covers Over 3,400 Miles of Power Lines Across Central and Northern New Jersey

(MORRISTOWN, N.J.) – Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), announced it will invest approximately $34 million in 2023 to trim trees along more than 3,400 miles of power lines across its 13-county service area in central and northern New Jersey. 

The initiative aims to prevent or minimize tree-related damage during severe weather, as falling trees and branches contacting power lines and electrical equipment remain a major cause of power outages.

Since the start of the year, JCP&L contractors have completed trimming along more than 760 miles of power lines, with nearly 2,700 miles of additional trimming expected to be completed by year-end.

“Tree trimming is a year-round effort by our crews and contractors and just one of the proactive steps we take to minimize the impact of power outages and ensure the safe, reliable delivery of electricity,” said James Fakult, president of FirstEnergy’s New Jersey operations. “Doing this work in a responsible way is also a priority, as our stewardship of the environment and our communities is a core value for JCP&L.”

Certified forestry contractors perform the trimming work under the company's direction, focusing on the preservation of trees' health while maintaining proper clearances around electrical equipment. All work complies with regulatory requirements.

The crews are also carrying out a multi-year effort to identify and remove deteriorated ash trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer. In 2022, nearly 40% of tree-related power outages in JCP&L’s service territory were caused by ash trees. Since 2017, the initiative has led to the removal of almost 20,000 dead or diseased trees.

Over the next two months, JCP&L will trim trees in numerous counties and municipalities, including:

• Burlington – Fort Dix
• Essex – Short Hills (Millburn)
• Hunterdon – Alexandria, Bethlehem, Bloomsbury, Califon, Delaware, East Amwell, Flemington, Holland, Lebanon, Milford, Raritan, Tewksbury, Union and West Amwell
• Mercer – Hightstown, Hopewell and West Windsor
• Middlesex – Cranbury, East Brunswick, Helmetta, Jamesburg, Monroe, Old Bridge and Spotswood
• Monmouth – Aberdeen, Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold, Freehold Borough, Holmdel, Howell, Manalapan, Manasquan, Marlboro, Middletown, Millstone, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Upper Freehold and Wall
• Morris – Chatham, Chester, Chester Borough, Denville, Morris Plains, Morristown, Mount Tabor (Parsippany-Troy Hills), Mount Olive, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Randolph, Roxbury and Washington
• Ocean –Bayville (Berkeley), Forked River (Lacey), Jackson, Lanoka Harbor (Lacey), Manchester, Plumsted, South Toms River and Toms River
• Somerset – Bedminster and Warren
• Sussex – Franklin, Glenwood (Vernon), Hamburg, Lafayette, McAfee (Vernon), Newton, Sparta, Sussex and Vernon
• Union – Berkeley Heights, Murray Hill (Berkeley Heights-New Providence), New Providence and Summit
• Warren – Alpha Borough, Changewater (Washington), Greenwich, Hackettstown, Oxford, Pohatcong, Port Murray (Mansfield) and Washington

JCP&L works with municipalities to inform them of vegetation management schedules proactively. Additionally, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way are notified before work is performed. JCP&L's foresters are also educating residents living near company equipment about proper tree maintenance on their properties.

In March, JCP&L filed a rate review with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, proposing an approximately $11 million annual increase in vegetation management and tree trimming activities. This extra funding would enable increased trimming of trees threatening power lines outside of company rights-of-way. In 2022, 84% of tree-related outages were caused by trees outside of JCP&L’s trimming corridors.

Serving 1.1 million customers in 13 counties, JCP&L reaffirms its commitment to operational excellence, integrity, safety, and reliability. It remains dedicated to minimizing power outages and ensuring the safe delivery of electricity to its customers.

FirstEnergy, whose subsidiaries include ten electric distribution companies forming one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, is committed to operational excellence and serves customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. Its transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines, connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.