Electric power back for most in N.J.

Utility crews have restored electric service to hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents. However, more than 160,000 people are still waiting.

PSE&G spokeswoman Bonnie Sheppard said Wednesday power restoration efforts have been hampered because Hurricane Irene flooded some electric substations.

“That’s very difficult because substations have to be actually hand-dried before the circuits can be put back on line. They’ve had tremendous success with that,” she said. “They don’t have all the substations back up and running and that impacts certain areas.”

JCP&L says crews have cleared 2,000 locations where trees damaged equipment and interrupted service, but their work is not finished.

Utility company representatives expect the majority of people without electricity will get their service back by the weekend.