For Immediate Release:	Contact: Alonza Robertson
Date: 06/18/2025	212-920-1679

Utilities Commit to Comprehensive Effort to Mitigate Rate Impacts This Summer

 

TRENTON - The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today approved stipulations with New Jersey’s four electric distribution companies (EDCs): Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), Atlantic City Electric (ACE), and Rockland Electric Company (RECO) that detail interventions to help mitigate overall bill impacts to residential customers during high usage summer months. The residential cost mitigation plans will include interest-free rate deferral for all investor-owned utility residential electric customers.

 

“I am grateful to our electric distribution companies for coming to the table to provide plans to ease costs for consumers and committing to being part of the solution to the current utility cost crisis created by PJM,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “My Administration is focused on immediate solutions despite big-picture concerns, and we are going to continue working with our EDC partners to offer relief to families and businesses struggling to afford increased utility costs.”

 

"Affordability is always top of mind for the NJBPU, and today's actions prove that we are here to help," said Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President, NJBPU. "I want to thank New Jersey's electric utilities for their good faith efforts to help improve the ratepayer experience this summer amidst the PJM-driven cost increases and ensure we are doing all we can to protect ratepayers. The utility mitigation plans are just another tool at our disposal to help ratepayers in the short-term, on top of the historic relief announced earlier this month and ensure people don't need to choose between paying their energy bills and other expenses this summer.” 

 

The agreement from the EDCs includes two automatic $30 bill reductions during high usage months of July and August. The $60 of deferred costs will be recovered monthly on customer bills over the following six months, from September to February. The deferral will reduce electricity bills in peak summer months, helping to smooth out the additional costs of supply-related rate increases. The deferral will not cause customers to pay more than what they would have originally paid.

 

Additionally, the State’s four EDCs agreed to suspend shut offs for nonpayment from July to September for eligible customers and will waive reconnection fees.

 

“While utilities like PSE&G are not responsible for the rate increases that took effect earlier this month, we are pleased to work with Governor Murphy, the legislature and the BPU to develop measures to mitigate the immediate impact of higher electricity costs for our customers,” said Kim Hanemann, President and COO, PSE&G. “As we deliver immediate relief for customers, now is the time for further collaboration to deliver long-term solutions to address the power generation supply imbalance in the state, including the development of a strategic, thoughtful integrated system plan to meet New Jersey’s future energy needs.”  

 

"JCP&L doesn't control increasing supply costs, and neither do our customers. These measures, developed with the BPU and our peer electric companies, reinforce our commitment to helping New Jersey families,” said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s President, New Jersey. “They complement our year-round energy efficiency and bill assistance programs that help our customers take control of their energy use."

 

“At Atlantic City Electric, we recognize that rising energy costs—especially during the high-usage summer months—pose real challenges for our customers,” said Amber Perry, Vice President of Regulatory Policy and Strategy at Atlantic City Electric. “This announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to work collaboratively with the Board and other utilities to deliver meaningful relief. We remain focused on advancing solutions that support New Jersey’s growing energy needs while helping customers manage their bills and energy use more effectively.”

 

"Rockland Electric Company (RECO) is proud to work with the NJBPU, the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel and the other New Jersey electric utilities on these efforts to mitigate bill impacts for our customers during peak summer months,” said Michele O’Connell, Rockland Electric Company President and CEO.  “As RECO continues to actively invest in our electric grid to enhance its reliability, we understand the financial pressures that many are facing. This partnership with the state to implement new ways to help alleviate these burdens for all customers, particularly our most vulnerable populations, is an incredible opportunity.”

 

This announcement comes on the heels of the Murphy Administration’s historic $430 million direct bill assistance announcement on June 5 that will deliver at least $100 of relief to all ratepayers, and up to $250 for qualifying low-moderate income ratepayers, which will more than offset the repayment for the deferral. Today’s actions, accompanied by the historic rate relief package, represent core components of the State of New Jersey’s comprehensive approach to helping ratepayers navigate potential price shock this summer driven by the PJM price spike and demonstrates the strong partnership between the NJBPU and the state’s EDCs, as well as their joint commitment to improving the customer experience this summer amidst the PJM-related price hikes.

 

To learn more about the mitigation filings that go into effect on July 1, 2025 and other ratepayer relief efforts going into effect this summer, the NJBPU and all four EDCs will be hosting a virtual public information session on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 5:30pm. You can watch the session livestream or recording on the NJBPU’s YouTube page at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU1ZFLPb2zY

 

Usage is a primary driver of bills, and reducing your usage offers an immediate opportunity for ratepayers to save money. If you or someone you know needs assistance now or may in the future, do not wait to contact your utility or the NJBPU.

 

There are several assistance programs available for utility customers: Universal Service Fund, Fresh Start Program, Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Lifeline, NJ Shares, and NJ Comfort Partners. Additionally, the Winter Termination Program is a utility-led program that protects qualifying ratepayers from service disruption during the winter months from November 15 until March 15. A more detailed description of these programs, as well as the requirements and guidelines can be found on the NJBPU’s website at: https://www.nj.gov/bpu/assistance/programs/.