South Jersey faces an 8% electric bill increase approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

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TRENTON, NJ – Lawmakers from New Jersey’s 9th Legislative District are calling on the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to reject Atlantic City Electric’s proposed 8% rate increase, citing concerns about the potential impact on financially vulnerable residents .

In a letter addressed to BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy, State Senator Carmen Amato Jr., Rep. Brian Rumpf and Rep. Gregory Myhre criticized the utility’s proposal, which would increase residential customers’ electric bills by an average of $12.96 per month. They argued that the increase would exacerbate financial difficulties for families, seniors and others on fixed incomes who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“Already too many ratepayers cannot afford to pay their utility bills,” the letter said. “An 8% rate hike will only push more taxpayers to their financial limits while disproportionately impacting those living on fixed incomes or retirement incomes who are struggling to remain in their current homes.”

Atlantic City Electric recently submitted its rate adjustment request to the BPU, citing rising operating costs and investments in grid reliability. The proposed hike follows previous rate hikes that have drawn criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups concerned about affordability for low- and middle-income households.

Lawmakers called on the BPU to “outright reject” the utility’s request, emphasizing that their constituents in southern New Jersey have already been hit hard by recent rate increases. They called the possible increase an unnecessary burden on residents and called on the BPU to prioritize the needs of ratepayers.

The BPU has not yet made a final decision on the proposal, which has led to growing opposition from elected officials and community leaders across the region.