Lambasted for poor communication during Sandy, N.J. utility offers app to customers

A New Jersey utility widely criticized for poor communication during and after Superstorm Sandy is going interactive.

Jersey Central Power and Light spokesman Ron Morano says the utility listened to customer complaints from customers literally left in the dark on when the power would be restored. In response, the company has released an interactive smartphone app.

“We take feedback, we take lessons learned from every storm,” Morano said Wednesday. “One of the things we learned is that we did communicate, it’s the level of information that was provided that people want more of. All of these steps that we are taking are designed to do just that.”

Morano says the free app provides up-to-date information on outages and other power issues.

“Access to power, access to reporting information, to our 24/7 power center maps,” he says. “Secure and convenient account access — they can pay their bills, look at their bills and theirelectric usage, there’s a click to call to reach our contact center.”

He said JCP&L also will work more closely with municipalities “to provide them with maps showing their electric circuits in their communities, how they run.

“We’re going to put our municipal liaisons at company field offices to put them are closer to the activity that takes place so that they can maintain contact with their officials,” Morano said.

The app is available for iPhone and Android.