New Jersey’s major power companies on Friday said they won’t shut off gas and electric to residential customers who don’t pay their bills during the coronavirus pandemic.

“In the interest of protecting public health, PSE&G is temporarily suspending shutoffs of electric or gas service to residential customers for non-payment. This policy is effective immediately,” the utility company said in a statement.

PSE&G says they want to alleviate concerns of customers experiencing financial difficulty during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We recognize that customers may experience financial difficulty as a result of the outbreak, whether they or a family member fall ill, are required to quarantine, or because their income is otherwise affected,” the statement said.

JCP&L made a similar announcement on Friday. “Effective today, we have decided to suspend service shutoffs for past-due customers,” said Aaron Ruegg, a spokesman for parent company First Energy.

Ruegg said the company has not decided when the suspension will end.

Atlantic City Electric also announced its response to the outbreak Friday.

“Atlantic City Electric is suspending service disconnections, already in place as part of the Winter Termination Program (WTP) and waiving new late payment fees through at least May 1, and will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options,” the company said in a statement.

Customers billing issues can contact Atlantic City Electric Customer Care at 800-642-3780.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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