NJ Homeowner Says JCP&L Forcing Him To Pay For New Utility Pole
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New York psychologist has been told he can't move into his rebuilt Jersey shore home until he pays to replace a utility pole that costs tens of thousands of dollars.
As WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola reported, Dr. Doug Uhlig and his wife lost their Seaside Heights home of more than 20 years to Superstorm Sandy.
NJ Homeowner Says JCP&L Forcing Him To Pay For New Utility Pole After Rebuilding From Sandy
The couple rebuilt following the devastating storm, making their home five feet higher to meet FEMA standards.
Now, JCP&L has told them their home is too close to a utility pole, so they must pay for a new, higher one, Kosola reported.
"This is not fair. This is not right," said Uhlig. "They're charging us $20,000 plus sales tax, kind of like you're in a restaurant, only you don't get the food. It's like 70 other customers use that pole."
With no electricity, the Uhligs can't live in their home, so they're currently living in an apartment in Rego Park, Queens.
"Why should an individual bear the cost of something which is their infrastructure?" Uhlig asked.
A spokesman for the utility said the reconstructed home presents a danger to the public under the National Electric Safety Code and that replacing the pole should not be the responsibility of other JCP&L customers.
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