Officials Seek to Rein in Rising Energy Bills
By Eric San Juan

Elected officials at the county and state level want to see proposed rate hikes for homeowner energy bills scaled back, or even rejected entirely, specifically with regard to the installation of smart meters.
The widespread installation of “smart meters” has already begun. According to the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU), “Adoption of the Smart Grid will enhance every facet of our electricity delivery systems, including generation, transmission, distribution and consumption…

The Smart Grid will empower consumers to become active participants in their energy choices to a degree never before possible.”

However, energy providers are likely to pass those costs on to consumers – and local lawmakers say that’s not right.

In fact, the BPU recently announced that many New Jersey ratepayers would see increases of up to 20 percent as of June 1.

And if you choose to opt out of having a smart meter installed? Companies like PSE&G and JCP&L charge a monthly fee for opting out, $12 and $15, respectively.

Ninth District legislators Senator Carmen Amato, and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre, have introduced bills (S-4096 and A-5299) that would prohibit utilities from charging customers for the conversion to smart meters.
“Our district office has received many complaints from constituents who reported sharp increases in their electric bill shortly after having a smart meter installed,” the team said in a written statement. “Trenton needs to place a freeze on requests by utility companies for excessive rate increases that threaten the financial security of ratepayers.”

The team is taking a cue from Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who has proposed a federal bill that mandates utilities more clearly notify customers about increases, including specifics about the amount and date; the reasons for the increase; and information on how people can file complaints.

County officials have taken much the same stance. Ocean County Commissioners Robert Arace and Jennifier Bacchione recently put their support behind the Amato team’s bill.

"The smart meter issue is just the latest example of how residents are being nickel-and-dimed without regard for their financial well-being,” Arace said in a written statement.

The sentiment is shared on both sides of the aisle. State Sen. John Burzichelli, D-3rd District, recently introduced a bill to investigate if current pricing models are flawed, and if so, how to address the issue.

“The rising cost of electricity bills is putting a heavy burden on consumers,” Burzichelli said in a written statement. “These price hikes are a burden for all ratepayers but are especially harmful to working families and low-income residents who are already struggling to make ends meet … We need to determine if structural reforms are needed to get at the root causes. Market reforms may be needed, along with an increase in the supply of new energy. Current conditions are just not affordable for
New Jerseyans.”

The 9th District team’s proposal would also prohibit utilities from disconnecting service or demanding late fees from anyone impacted by a rate increase “resulting in an average increase of five percent or greater of ratepayer bills within six months following that rate increase.”

“Excessive utility rate increases will only continue to hollow out the state’s middle class and place retirees into poverty,” the team said.

“Our delegation is ready and willing to work in a bipartisan manner to enact legislative initiatives to control, to the greatest extent possible, utility costs as the current situation has become dire for many.”