Gov. Christie: Power Restoration a Top Priority in Days Ahead

Getting New Jersey back to normal after Hurricane Sandy is Gov. Chris Christie’s top priority, he said Wednesday night. Restoring power to the 2 million households in the dark will be part of that effort in the days ahead.

Christie said he has been in contact with other governors who will urge their utility companies to send crews to New Jersey to help restore the damaged electrical grid.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pledged over 100 generators and diesel fuel to the state, which will be distributed to water treatment facilities, hospitals, and other sectors where they are needed for the greatest public good, according to Christie.

In addition, the governor ordered licensing requirements waived to allow merchants to more easily purchase gasoline and diesel fuel from out of state. Diesel, especially, has been in short supply, and it is needed to fuel the high-powered generators used by the water treatment plants, Christie noted.

With water utilities still on generator power, Christie has put the state under mandatory water-usage restrictions.

At least one area of New Jersey’s infrastructure has nearly returned to normal: 95 percent of state roadways have reopened, according to the governor. Of the 463 state road closures made during and after the storm, only 20 remain unresolved. The state will assist county and local authorities with clearing their blocked roadways once state roads are open.

Residents who sustained property damage during the storm should begin their own process of rebuilding and returning to normal by registering with FEMA. Christie advised New Jerseyans interested in filing for assistance to call 800-621-FEMA.