OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners have passed a resolution opposing what they call the “preposterous” 25 percent New Jersey Natural Gas rate increase.
“Ocean County is home to one of the largest senior citizen populations in the state. Many of our seniors are living on fixed incomes and will face a financial crisis if this enormous increase is approved,” Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari said.
As the liaison to both the Ocean County Department of Senior Services and the Department of Consumer Affairs, Vicari expressed how the rate hike would be a huge financial burden to senior citizens and young families alike.
“Our senior citizens saw only a 1.3 percent Social Security increase in 2021 but are now expected to pay a 25 percent hike in their gas bill,” Vicari said. “I fear some of our most vulnerable residents will be left with the tragic choice of paying this increase or buying necessary food and medicine.”
The resolution calls on the state Board of Public Utilities to reject the increase.
“A 25 percent increase is uncalled for during normal times,” Gary Quinn, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners said. “To ask for this large of an increase with many of our residents still facing the financial impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic is absolutely ludicrous.”
According to Quinn, the resolution was forwarded to state legislators in the 9th, 10th, 12th and 30th districts as well as to Stefanie A. Brand, Director of the state Division of Rate Counsel.
On March 30, New Jersey Natural Gas had published a press release stating how they filed a petition with the BPU requesting an increase of approximately $165.7 million to its base rates.
According to the press release, “Since its last base rate filing in 2019, NJNG has invested nearly $850 million in the safety, reliability and environmental benefits of its delivery system and operations. These investments are already at work benefiting customers, but are not currently reflected in rates.”
This additional money will pay for infrastructure improvements, including the Southern Reliability Link transmission pipeline, New Jersey Natural Gas said.
“We take our responsibility to deliver exceptional service at a reasonable rate seriously. This is achieved through a rigorous approval process with regulators,” President and CEO Steve Westhoven said. “We look forward to a successful resolution of this petition that is in the best interest of our customers and our company.”
On April 18, Vicari sent a letter opposing the rate change to BPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. Vicari stated how the pipeline and other projects should be paid for by the utility’s profits, not by ratepayers.
“Many of our residents are struggling during this ongoing crisis,” he said. “They simply cannot afford this increase.”
A public hearing on the increase will most likely be scheduled by the BPU in the coming weeks before coming to a decision.
