Storm-Hardening Projects
Strengthening the Infrastructure
PSEG Long Island is standing up to severe weather by storm hardening the electric infrastructure that powers our communities. Our storm-hardening program focuses on mainline circuits, the backbone of PSEG Long Island’s distribution system. The mainline powers the many branch lines that power your home or business.
Storm-hardening upgrades include stronger poles, narrower cross arms that help wires deflect falling branches, stronger wire and smart switches that minimize the number of customers affected by any one outage. Upgraded circuits have seen a significant reduction in storm damage and 45% fewer outages. PSEG Long Island started storm hardening in early 2015, utilizing a $729 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. When this work concludes we will have:
- Storm hardened more than 1,000 miles of electric infrastructure
- Installed 887 new smart switches
- Replaced 24,800 poles
Continued Efforts: Power On
We’re not stopping there. As our initial storm-hardening program concludes this spring, PSEG Long Island is continuing our important efforts by launching Power On, a new initiative that will continue to improve reliability by strengthening distribution lines, targeting the most vulnerable circuits across Long Island and the Rockaways. Power On will continue to focus on mainline circuits, the backbone of PSEG Long Island’s distribution system. Specifically, Power On upgrades include:
- Stronger Poles: PSEG Long Island will replace some existing utility poles with stronger, more durable poles that are capable of withstanding winds up to 135 mph. The new poles will be approximately the same height as the existing poles, have a stronger base and will be placed about 3 feet from the current pole locations. PSEG Long Island will actively coordinate the removal of old poles with other utilities and municipalities.
- Narrow Profiles: To help wires deflect falling limbs instead of catching them, PSEG Long Island will be installing shorter cross arms atop some poles.
- Stronger Wire: Current wire will be replaced with more resilient and durable wire.
- Upgrading or replacing equipment as necessary
What's happening in your neighborhood?
PSEG Long Island is committed to strengthening the electric infrastructure and improving reliability and will be continuing to storm harden the system. We’re working closely with local officials to keep them informed and to minimize potential interruptions. Visit the Storm-Hardening Map to see what storm hardening is happening in your community.
Project Locations
- Baldwin
- Glen Cove
- The Rockaways
- Town of Babylon
- Town of Brookhaven
- Town of East Hampton
- Town of Hempstead
- Town of Huntington
- Town of Islip
- Town of North Hempstead
- Town of Oyster Bay
- Town of Riverhead
- Town of Shelter Island
- Town of Smithtown
- Town of Southampton
- Town of Southold
- Village of Floral Park
Frequently Asked Questions
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PSEG Long Island crews will generally work Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with limited evening and Sunday work. No work will be done on major national holidays.
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PSEG Long Island licensed and approved contractors.
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Trees growing near power lines significantly increase the chance of power outages and pose safety risks. As we expand and improve our electric circuits, we will trim trees, where necessary, following our utility best practice model (ANSI A300 standards as well as the Best Management Practices Tree Pruning publication): 8 feet to each side; 12 feet above; and 10 feet below the conductor.
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The new poles will be approximately the same height as existing poles, have a stronger base and will be placed about two-to-three feet from the current pole locations. PSEG Long Island will actively coordinate the removal of old poles with other utilities and municipalities.
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There will be minor traffic interruptions related to this work. To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island licensed and approved contractors will provide cones, flagmen and signage at the work site, as needed, to minimize interruptions.
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PSEG Long Island anticipates some localized, intentional, short-duration power outages related to this project. All affected customers will be notified in advance of any power outage.