NJUA COVID-19 Preparedness Update: NJUA Member Companies Respond to Needs of the Community

Dear NJUA Members, Associate Members and Community Partners,

As a key component of the state’s economy, the investor-owned utilities of New Jersey continue to play a critical role in the everyday lives of each person living in or doing business in the Garden State.

While these are unprecedented times, I am pleased to report that NJUA’s member companies have taken a leadership role in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak en masse. 

In addition to voluntarily suspending shut-offs of essential electric, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services, the members of NJUA have taken steps to ease the financial burden on customers by helping those financially impacted through grants and alternative payment options. 

The state’s investor-owned utilities are also supporting first responders, the health care community and their neighbors by taking additional steps to meet the overwhelming needs of the New Jersey community, such as offering the use of vacant utility facilities to support the health care infrastructure demand.

Here’s a look at some of the ways NJUA’s member companies have heeded the call and stepped up:

• PSEG Donates 50,000 N95 Masks to Aid Response by Health Care and First Responders During COVID-19 Pandemic
  
  

• PSEG Foundation Supports The Community FoodBank of NJ’s Efforts to Reduce Food Insecurity During COVID-19 Outbreak
  
  

• Exelon and its Family of Companies Donate More Than $1 Million for Coronavirus Response and Relief
  
  

• New Jersey Natural Gas Announces Over $23,000 in Donations to Support Community Food Banks
  
  

• Verizon’s COVID-19 Relief Efforts Centered on Students and Health Care Workers

• Verizon Helps Eliminate Worry for Customers During Time of Great Need
  
  

• American Water & American Water Charitable Foundation Provide $100,000 to Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund
  
  

• SJI, parent company of South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas, is providing donations to relief funds and non-profit hospitals.

In these uncertain and challenging times, the essential services we rely upon - the heating and cooling of our homes and businesses; the electricity that allows us to turn the television and lights on; the clean water for food preparation and drinking; and the telecommunications services that allow us to remain connected with colleagues, friends and family - have become even more important to sustain.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our normal way of life and impact the health and well-being of fellow residents, New Jersey’s investor-owned utilities will continue to provide these essential services while supporting the communities they call home. 

Please take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Thomas R. Churchelow, Esq.
President
New Jersey Utilities Association

Staying Informed
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, you can follow updates from the CDC and state agencies at the following links:

• CDC COVID-19

• NewJersey Department of Health – COVID

• Governor Murphy's Executive Orders