Power outages result from a loss of electricity. Top causes of power outages in our area include:

• Storms that bring lightning, high winds, ice, snow, or rain.
• Trees and branches that come into contact with electric lines.
• Animal contact with equipment and power lines.
• Accidents, like cars hitting utility poles.
• Equipment failure from corrosion, wear and tear, and aging parts.
• Protective relay equipment, similar to the circuit breakers in your home, that cut off power when a problem arises.

If your power isn't back on, here are some possible reasons why:

• Your neighbors' power may be on a different circuit, or they may have a generator.
• Homes with backyard service: Utility poles and equipment in backyards are more difficult to access. When our linemen must climb poles to install equipment, set poles by hand-digging, and run service wires to homes without using aerial lifts, power restoration takes longer.
• If your restored power goes out again, your circuit experienced other problems. For our safety, we temporarily cut power so we can make other repairs.

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.

We're working to restore your power as safely and efficiently as possible. But sometimes, restoring power takes longer in some areas. If your power isn't back on, here are some possible reasons why:

• Repair crews must wait until it's safe for them to begin work.
• Homes with backyard service: Utility poles and equipment in backyards are more difficult to access. When our linemen must climb poles to install equipment, set poles by hand-digging, and run service wires to homes without using aerial lifts, power restoration takes longer.

 

Our crews have different responsibilities. Some conduct damage assessments; others ensure the public's safety. Often, the first person on the scene conducts damage assessments. He collects the information we need to send the right repair crew.

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.

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

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.

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