Newsroom & Public Notices

New MOU establishes Utility Rates Certificate Program and fellowship pipeline at Rutgers Business School–Camden

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) recently approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rutgers Business School–Camden (RBSC) to launch the inaugural Utility Rates Certificate Program designed to build a pipeline of skilled utility ratemaking professionals for New Jersey and the broader energy sector.

“This partnership is another milestone for New Jersey’s energy future,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Protecting customers and modernizing our grid requires deep expertise in ratemaking — and this program will ensure we have the talent to meet that challenge for decades to come.”

Under the three-year agreement, NJBPU will support coursework and paid fellowships that provide students with hands-on experience across key components of utility ratemaking, including rate design, revenue requirements, and regulatory policy.

Addressing Evolving Workforce Needs

The program was developed in response to evolving workforce needs in utility ratemaking, as experienced professionals approach retirement and industry demands grow increasingly complex. Nationally, more than a quarter of utility employees are over age 55, and nearly half of electric and gas utility workers are projected to be retirement-eligible within a decade. The Board and Rutgers designed this program to build on existing expertise while expanding the pipeline of trained rate professionals across regulatory, utility, consulting, and consumer advocacy sectors.

“This program introduces foundational utility‑ratemaking concepts at a pivotal stage in students’ education, while building a strong pipeline of future experts in the field,” said NJBPU Deputy Executive Director Stacy Peterson.

Program Leadership

The certificate curriculum and fellowship structure were designed under the leadership of Deputy Executive Director Peterson, one of New Jersey’s most experienced utility rate experts.Peterson has spent more than two decades at NJBPU, rising through roles as Accountant, Deputy Director of Energy, and Director of Energy before assuming her current position in 2021. Her expertise spans cost-of-service analysis, rate design, and the Basic Generation Service process, and she has represented the Board in federal, legislative, and interagency policy discussions.

Supporting Governor Sherrill's Energy Agenda

The program's launch coincides with Governor Mikie Sherrill's recent Executive Orders to address utility affordability while accelerating New Jersey's clean energy transition. As NJBPU works to balance near-term bill relief with long-term grid modernization, the need for sophisticated ratemaking analysis has never been greater.

For students, the program offers a direct pathway into a high-demand field spanning regulatory agencies, utilities, consulting, and consumer advocacy. For customers, it strengthens the Board’s ability to evaluate utility proposals and design rates that are fair, transparent, and aligned with New Jersey’s energy goals.

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)

NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Services regulated include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and cable television. NJBPU oversees utility service quality, responds to consumer complaints, and investigates utility accidents. For more information, visit www.nj.gov/bpu