STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Division of The Ratepayer Advocate
31 Clinton Street, 11th Fl
P. O. Box 46005
Newark, New Jersey 07101
Press Release
For Immediate Release Thursday, June 26, 2003 |
For
Further Information |
RATEPAYER ADVOCATE SEEMA M. SINGH,
ESQ. APPLAUDS CONCLUSION OF RATE FILINGS THAT REDUCE RATES FOR COMCAST CUSTOMERS
Newark,
NJ –. Seema M. Singh, Ratepayer
Advocate and Public Advocate-designate, today applauded the
successful conclusion of Comcast rate cases that will reduce rates for customers
in Burlington, East Brunswick, East Windsor, West Windsor, Carney’s Point,
Freehold, Northwest, Plainfield, Burlington County, Monmouth County and
Gloucester County. Customers
will receive rate decreases of up to $.47 per month. The Board of Public
Utilities (BPU) approved the reduced rates at today’s Board Agenda Meeting.
“Today’s decision
protects the interest of consumers and brings financial benefits to Comcast
customers,” said Ms. Singh. The overall value of these rate reductions will be
approximately $1.1 million, which will immediately take effect on customer’s
bills.
The Comcast Systems filed for rate adjustment under the State’s
Expedited Procedures Program, which is an optional program, based upon the
principles of Alternate Dispute Resolution.
A cable provider may choose expedited processing when filing its annual
rate schedule and has 48 hours from the date of the filing to provide necessary
supplemental information in order to complete its filing for expedited
treatment.
The Ratepayer Advocate and the BPU drafted the Expedited Procedures
Program informational guidelines in 1995, in consultation with the Cable
Industry, to conserve valuable resources and avoid costly litigation. Consumers
will benefit directly from the procedures that reduce costs.
The Ratepayer Advocate reviews the information submitted by the cable
providers independently of the BPU. Rate adjustment cases settled under the
Expedited Procedures are usually concluded within 90-120 days.
In instances in which there are issues that demand more detailed
exploration, the case is transmitted to the Office of Administrative Law.
The Division of the Ratepayer Advocate represents the interests of utility consumers and serves as an active participant in every case when New Jersey utilities seek changes in their rates or services. The Ratepayer Advocate also gives consumers a voice in setting long-range energy, water, and telecommunications policy that will affect the delivery of utility services well into the future. Additional information on this and other matters can be found at the Division of Ratepayer Advocate’s website at http://www.rpa.state.nj.us