JCP&L Reaching Out to Home-Raisers

You've got your contractor, you've got your permits... but are you really ready to raise your home to meet the flood guidelines?

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) spokesman Ron Morano says if you haven't touched base with them, you're taking a chance.

"We encourage customers to speak with the company about their plans for rebuilding and the company's requirements," Morano said.  "they need to see if there is going to be an issue with raising or rebuilding, and if there is going to be an issue where you're going to be too close to a wire that's carrying electricity."

If your renovations end up putting your structure too close to an existing power line, you are financially responsible for the cost of moving the pole.  But Morano says if you check with the company first, they can often help you adjust your plans so that doesn't happen.  As for the regulations themselves, he says they're pretty strict.

"The Board of Public Utilities' regulations require that JCP&L's construction of any planned facilities must be in accordance with the National Electric Safety Code (NESC)," Morano said.  "And that NESC requires that all electric supply lines must be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to meet the requirements of the NESC."

JCP&L has a helpful guide to those regulations on its website.