NJ Natural Gas storm program gets approval

WALL TOWNSHIP (AP) — New Jersey Natural Gas has received state approval to begin work on a $102.5 million program to protect its distribution and transmission systems from storm damage.

The utility sustained substantial damage during Superstorm Sandy. Sandy forced it to curtail service from Bay Head to Long Beach Island, replace 270 miles of pipes, rebuild or replace 51,000 gas meters, and complete 121,000 service assessments.

The six enhancement projects include installing a secondary main in Sea Bright, a new high-pressure feed to Mantoloking and approximately 35,000 excess flow valves which restrict the flow of gas when there's a change in pressure.

The utility says there will be no change to customers' bills this winter. New Jersey Natural Gas says it will seek to recover costs through its base rates.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed)