PSE&G North Central Reliability Project Public Workshop

(Newark, NJ – March 15, 2011) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) today announced it will seek approval from the New Jersey Board of Utilities for the North Central Reliability Project, which would upgrade transmission lines and substations from existing 138,000-volt (138kV) power to 230,000-volt (230kV) power in the northern and central regions of the state. The upgrade will meet current and future electricity demands by New Jersey businesses and residents, provide better power quality, and reduce transmission system congestion in the region.

"The North Central Reliability Project is essential to meet the region’s growing demand for electricity over the long term," said Ralph LaRossa, president and chief operating officer of PSE&G. “The population in the region served by this transmission line has grown 10 percent in the last 20 years, and represents approximately one-third of the state’s population.”

The North Central Reliability Project would upgrade existing PSE&G transmission lines and stations along its right-of-way from the West Orange Switching Station in Essex County to the Sewaren Switching Station in Middlesex County. The existing 138kV transmission lines would be replaced with 230kV transmission lines across 35 miles through West Orange, Livingston, Roseland, Florham Park, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Watchung, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Clark, Edison, Metuchen and Woodbridge.

PSE&G will file for project approval with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in May of 2011. With BPU approval, work could begin in early 2012, with an in-service date of June 2014.

The cost of the project is currently estimated at $300-$350 million, and will create approximately 700,000 man hours of employment in the state of New Jersey during the course of the project.

PSE&G’s public outreach and communications program will provide the public with extensive information and opportunities to review the plans. Full details about the project can be found on the project website, ncreliabilityproject.pseg.com, and the public can e-mail comments and questions to reliabilityproject@pseg.com. PSE&G also plans meetings with local and state officials in the municipalities along the route.

Public Workshop Schedule:

PSE&G has scheduled four public workshops at locations along the route for members of the public to learn more about the project and speak with experts on a one-on-one basis. Workshops are held between the hours of 4 - 8 p.m., and the public is invited to attend the workshop that is most convenient.

     -- Tuesday, March 22 – Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange.

     -- Thursday, March 24 – Renaissance Woodbridge, Route 1, Iselin.

     -- Monday, March 28 - The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 53 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown.

     -- Thursday, March 31 -- L’Affaire Fine Catering, 1099 US Highway 22, Mountainside.