$27 Million Going to New Vehicles, JCP&L Says
In total, 223 new vehicles are being purchased for the utility, according to press release.
More than $27 million in new vehicles is being invested by JCP&L, according to a news release.
The vehicles will be for line crews and "other front-line employees across its service territory," according to the release issued Dec. 20.
In total, 223 new vehicles are being purchased for the utility, more than half of which will be bucket and "digger derrick" trucks that will "help employees perform their field work efficiently while also protecting workers’ safety," according to the release. The addition of the new trucks brings the total number of vehicles in the JCP&L fleet to 1,350, according to the release.
“The new trucks contain advanced technology that includes enhanced hydraulics to better handle heavy materials and more robust lighting to help create a safer work area during night-time operations,” said JCP&L President Don Lynch in the release. “These new vehicles also are better for the environment since they are more fuel-efficient, some with near zero emissions.”
The new vehicles are part of a $110 million investment in vehicles being made by parent company FirstEnergy Corp., based in Ohio. FirstEnergy expects to acquire nearly 850 vehicles before the end of the year, according to the release.
This announcement comes on the heels of two public meetings—in Basking Ridge and Hopatcong—held by JCP&L regarding their Hurricane Sandy response. In both meetings, residents and public officials blasted the utility for a number of reasons, mostly citing poor communication during and immediately following the late October storm that knocked out power for hundreds of thousands in the region.
Chris
4:40 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
$27 million for 223 vehicles. So that means that the average vehicle costs $121,076.23. Are they buying electric utility trucks or are they buying everyone over at JCP&L an S-class Mercedes?
So the base price for a Ford F-550 Super Duty is $30k which would mean each vehicle has $90k in options? I think they need a new person in procurement. No discount for buying in bulk, I guess?
No wonder we pay so much for Electricity.
JenniferB
6:50 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
I just did a google search and they can cost that much and more. There are some going for $140k
V
8:37 am on Friday, December 28, 2012
I'm still sure there will be some margin for "personal enrichment" in this acquisition, but at least Google says that the price is reasonable: http://www.cannontruckequipment.com/new/all/utility-trucks
CSS
7:33 pm on Friday, December 28, 2012
In the long list of things they need to improve, trucks seem pretty low on the list.
If the out of state workers are to believed, their dispatch system and inventory of what's where is totally screwed.
I think this is just PR - it sounds like FirstEnergy already had planned on purchasing trucks across all their service areas, Sandy or no Sandy and this gives them an opportunity to look like they're doing something.
$140K sounds not insane if it's a cherry picker.
road guy
7:38 pm on Friday, December 28, 2012
Single axle dump trucks for road departments cost 85000 to 140000 each
road guy
7:41 pm on Friday, December 28, 2012
F350 super duty diesel pickup is 58000 to 63000
Joseph Torres
1:31 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
those vehicles are retrofitted to the specifications required so the cost probably is about right, my question is , are they going to purchase the vehicles or lease the vehicles, one way would add to capital the other the vehicles would be expensed
Reason being utilities make their money based on rate of return on investment
So will the coat of new vehicles be added to the rate base or will it be expensed?
.
D Ambriano
2:01 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I bet the ratepayers will be paying for the trucks, which will probably be located in Ohio. Is there a benefit for us in NJ?
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