Power Restoration Process
Our Four-Step Restoration Process
When we determine that it is safe to start service restoration, our crews work around-the-clock to restore your power. When storms cause major damage, we supplement our workforce with crews from other utilities and contract crews. You may see trucks from companies you don't recognize. Our goal? To restore power safely to the greatest number of customers in the shortest amount of time.
STEP ONE:
Since transmission lines and substations supply power to neighborhoods, we repair them first.
STEP TWO:
Next, we restore power to critical public services including hospitals and nursing homes, police and fire facilities, jails, water pumping stations, communication organizations (TV, radio, and telephone), facilities with lifesaving equipment for residents and evacuation centers.
STEP THREE:
Next, we prioritize repairs that restore power to a greater number of customers first. We'll make repairs that restore power to 1,000 customers before a repair that would return electricity to 100 customers.
STEP FOUR:
We continue to work 24/7 to restore power to neighborhoods and individual homes or businesses until the power's back for everyone.
Outage-Related Information
Please browse the additional topics below.
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Large storms, like hurricanes, often impact the tri-state region and beyond, which increases the challenge of restoring power. Affected neighboring communities won't have the resources to spare, so we contract with other utility companies who may need to travel from great distances to help.
Other challenges that contribute to complex restoration include:
- Limited access to rear property poles
- Debris from trees, vegetation, and objects that must be cleared before power restoration can start
- Equipment that must be brought in manually
- De-energizing areas so crews can make repairs safely
- Building in breaks for crews working 16-hour shifts
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When your home, property, or equipment sustains electrical damage from a storm, who repairs or replaces it? When our crews must cut through brush and debris on your property to access and repair wires, who takes care of the clean-up?
- Electric service equipment: What’s Company Owned? What’s Customer Owned? Find out here
- Tree/debris removal: If we must cut away trees/brush to restore power to your home, removing the tree and/or debris is your responsibility.
- Power surge damage: If you believe we're responsible for damage to your personal equipment, you can submit a claim to PSEG Long Island.
- Dead phone or cable: When severe weather knocks out your phone and/or cable service, you must call those companies to let them know.
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Our electric distribution system is complex. Sometimes, after a major storm, crews make temporary repairs to restore your power. When crews return to make the permanent repairs, they may need to turn off the power again to ensure their own safety. Those outages are temporary, and we'll reestablish power when repairs are completed and it's safe to do so.
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We calculate your bill's charges based on the amount of electricity you use. If you haven't used electricity because the power is out, your bill will reflect that drop in usage.
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We constantly strive to improve the resiliency of the electric system on Long Island and on the Rockaway Peninsula to anticipate, prevent, and withstand interruptions in electric service. We've created a resource of best practices and strategies to respond more effectively to disasters. Download our PSEG Long Island Emergency Restoration Plan