:: How to Get Gas and Electric Service

To get gas and electric service in the New Brunswick area, call Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) at (800) 436-PSEG. This number can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They need a minimum of one 24 hour working day's notice to set up service. They can turn on service Monday through Friday. They will also need a deposit. The amount of the deposit is based on the services provided. The maximum deposit can be no more than $260. As long as you pay your bills, you will get this deposit back with interest after 1 year.

Exercise extreme caution in the following two situations:

• Ask for identification when a person claiming to be from the utility company comes to the door. All utility workers carry photo ID.
• Do not give money to a person who comes to the door asking for payment of your utility bill. PSE&G employees never come to the door to collect money.

If you have access to the internet, PSE&G Website has useful information.

Detailed information on connecting and disconnecting your power can be found at www.pseg.com/movingru

:: Natural Gas

Many houses use natural gas. If you smell an odor that you believe to be gas, call your utility company immediately. The number for PSE&G, the electric and gas company serving the New Brunswick area, is 732-247-7000. They will send someone over, free of charge, to make sure you do not have a gas leak problem. Gas pipes 30 years or older may have brass fittings, or wrench connectors, which are dangerous and are no longer used. Wrench connectors join the appliance to the pipes. They tend to develop cracks over time, and in some instances have been the cause of explosions. If you have pipes older than 30 years and are concerned, look behind your stove with a flashlight without moving the appliance. If you see a brass or coated pipe, you might have a problem. If they are coated silver with another color, that is OK. PSE&G can send someone over to check your pipes for free. If the connection needs to be changed, contact the landlord and tell them it needs changing. The cost is normally $86 to $121 per fitting.

Also, be aware of how to look for damage to gas pipelines in your neighborhood. The lines are buried but have markers to locate where they are. Damage to pipelines usually occurs when someone digs, blasts or drills in the area of a pipeline.

Signs of a pipeline leak are:

• a blowing or hissing sound
• dust blowing from a hole in the ground
• continuous bubbling in wet or flooded areas
• a gaseous odor
• a spot of dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area
• abnormally dry or hardened soil
• flames if a leak has ignited

If you think there is a pipeline leak:

• avoid flames or other sources of ignition (such as your car)
• evacuate the area and try to prevent people from entering
• abandon any equipment being used in the area
• notify the pipeline company immediately
• if the pipeline company is unknown, call 911 or your local fire, police, or sheriff's department)
• get help from local law enforcement officials to isolate the area

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH A NATURAL GAS FIRE, AND DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPERATE ANY PIPELINE VALVES (YOU MIGHT ACCIDENTALLY ROUTE ADDITIONAL GAS TO THE LEAK).