Electric Company Regulations In New Jersey: Who's In Charge?

who regulates the electric company in nj

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) regulates utility services, including electricity, for commercial and industrial (non-residential) ratepayers. The NJBPU ensures safe, reliable, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey. It monitors the rates, charges, rules, and regulations of most electric utilities operating within the state. Customers can choose to purchase energy supplies from companies other than their electric utility, but the rates charged by these companies are not regulated by the NJBPU.

Characteristics Values
Name New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
Regulated utilities Electric, gas, water, telecommunication, and cable
Responsibilities Ensuring safe, reliable, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey
Other responsibilities Monitors federal transmission issues, regulates distribution of energy to residents and businesses, oversees New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and other initiatives for energy efficiency and renewable sources of power
Deregulation Customers can shop for their energy supplier since New Jersey deregulated power generation in 1999
Third-party suppliers Licensed by the NJBPU to sell within the service areas of the state's four electric distribution utilities
Billing options Customers can pay one consolidated bill for energy supplies and delivery service or pay separate bills to the energy supplier and distribution utility
Meter testing Customers have the right to request a free meter test once a year by their utility; for a $5 fee, the test can be conducted under the supervision of an NJBPU staff member
Complaints Customers are recommended to first contact the utility company, and if unsatisfied, they can file a complaint with the NJBPU

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The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)

The Board also oversees energy policy, promoting responsible growth and clean, renewable energy sources while maintaining a high quality of life in the state. It monitors federal transmission issues and regulates the distribution of energy to residents and businesses. The NJBPU oversees New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and other initiatives to increase energy efficiency, deploy renewable power sources, and manage energy costs.

NJBPU's Division of Water oversees the regulation of approximately 45 investor-owned water and wastewater utilities, handling service quality, conservation, and tariff issues. The Board holds regular open-session meetings that are open to the public.

If you believe your utility bill is incorrect or have a complaint about electric, natural gas, or water utilities, you can contact your utility company's customer service department. If you are not satisfied with their response, you may file a complaint with the NJBPU's Division of Customer Assistance. You can also request that a regulated utility company test your meter if you feel it does not accurately reflect your usage.

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Energy deregulation law

New Jersey's energy deregulation law allows customers to shop around for the best price on their energy supplies. This means that the supply portion of an electric or natural gas bill is separate from the delivery portion. The delivery portion is still handled by the local distribution utilities, who maintain a monopoly over the delivery of power.

In New Jersey, the Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) regulates utility services for commercial and industrial (non-residential) ratepayers, including electricity, natural gas, telephone, cable, and water services. NJBPU has a mandate to ensure safe, reliable, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey.

NJBPU also oversees the annual energy auction (Basic Generation Service, or BGS) that provides a default service for ratepayers who do not wish to shop around for energy suppliers. The Board monitors federal transmission issues and regulates the distribution of energy to residents and businesses. It also oversees New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and other initiatives to increase energy efficiency, deploy renewable sources of power, and manage energy costs.

The NJBPU website provides information on third-party electric suppliers licensed to sell within the service areas of the state's four electric distribution utilities. Customers can compare the offers of different suppliers by calling them and providing their billing history. Suppliers will then be able to advise on pricing options, which typically include fixed, floating, and hybrid options.

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Third-party electric suppliers

In New Jersey, the Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) regulates utility services for commercial and industrial (non-residential) ratepayers, including electricity, natural gas, telephone, cable, and water services. The NJBPU ensures safe, reliable, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers.

Since New Jersey deregulated power generation in 1999, customers have been able to shop for their energy supplier. Under the state's energy deregulation law, the supply portion of an electric or natural gas bill is separate from the delivery portion. This means that customers can choose from licensed third-party electric suppliers that are authorized to sell within the service areas of the state's four electric distribution utilities.

When shopping for a third-party electric supplier, it is important to compare prices and offers from multiple suppliers. Customers should have their company's recent billing history available to help suppliers understand their energy usage patterns and needs. There are typically three pricing options offered by suppliers: fixed, floating, and hybrid. With a fixed pricing option, customers pay a set price for energy supplies throughout the contract term. Floating, or variable pricing, allows the price to fluctuate monthly based on the wholesale cost of electricity. The hybrid option combines fixed and floating pricing, where a fixed price is applied for a portion of the contract, and a floating price for the remainder, or a fixed price for a percentage of the customer's supplies, and a floating price for the rest.

In addition to pricing, there are several other important questions to consider when choosing a third-party electric supplier. These include billing options, such as whether a consolidated bill is offered for both energy supplies and delivery service, or if separate bills are required. Customers may also inquire about additional products or services offered, such as energy audits or consulting services. Reviewing the standard contract before receiving a price offer is also recommended.

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NJBPU's Division of Water

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) regulates utility services, including electricity, natural gas, water, telecommunication, and cable. The NJBPU ensures that customers in New Jersey receive safe, reliable, and proper utility services at reasonable rates.

The NJBPU's Division of Water oversees the regulation of approximately 45 investor-owned water and wastewater utilities. The division handles issues related to service quality, conservation, and tariffs. It is responsible for monitoring the general reliability of water and wastewater utilities, ensuring they meet the Board's performance standards, and investigating customer complaints.

The Division of Water plays a crucial role in upholding the NJBPU's mission of providing safe and proper utility services at reasonable rates. It contributes to the overall success of the NJBPU by ensuring that water utilities meet the necessary standards and addressing any concerns raised by customers.

As a residential customer of a regulated utility in New Jersey, you have certain rights, which are outlined in the Utility Customer's Bill of Rights. For instance, if you believe your bill is incorrect, you can contact your utility company's customer service department, and if you are still dissatisfied, you may file a complaint with the NJBPU. You also have the right to request that your meter be tested free of charge once a year by your utility company.

The Division of Water works in conjunction with other divisions within the NJBPU, such as the Division of Engineering, to monitor and regulate water utilities effectively. This collaborative effort ensures that all divisions contribute to the NJBPU's mission of providing safe and reliable utility services to the residents of New Jersey.

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NJBPU's Division of Customer Assistance

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) regulates utility service for commercial and industrial (non-residential) ratepayers, including electric, natural gas, telephone, cable, and water services. The NJBPU ensures safe, reliable, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey.

The NJBPU's Division of Customer Assistance helps utility customers resolve various issues with their utility company. The division is committed to ensuring that disputes are resolved promptly and in accordance with all applicable safety laws and regulations. Customers are encouraged to first contact their utility company to discuss billing or service issues before contacting the Division of Customer Assistance.

The Division of Customer Assistance consists of two primary units: The Bureau of Customer Relations, which includes the Call Center, and the Bureau of Investigations & Enforcement. The Call Center is responsible for processing complaints and inquiries regarding a lack of service, service delays, mediation of discontinuance of service, high bill complaints, payment arrangements, deposit requests, and inquiries related to incorrect rates.

Email complaints are reviewed daily by the Division of Customer Assistance, while online complaints are only processed during normal business hours (9 am - 4 pm). If the matter involves a gas leak, discontinuance of service, or any other situation requiring immediate action, customers can call the toll-free number (800)-624-0241.

The Research & Analysis Unit within the Division of Customer Assistance processes formal customer complaints, analyzes complaint statistics, identifies trends, participates in new rule-making and amendments, and reviews customer service rate case issues and tariff revisions. This unit also investigates all informal written complaints and offers dispute resolution for customers facing challenges with billing disputes, quality of service issues, discontinuance of service, and deposit requests.

Frequently asked questions

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) regulates utility services, including electricity, for commercial and industrial (non-residential) ratepayers.

The NJBPU ensures safe, reliable, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey. They also monitor federal transmission issues and regulate the distribution of energy to residents and businesses.

If you believe your bill is incorrect, you should first contact your utility company's customer service department. If you are not satisfied with their response, you may file a complaint with the NJBPU.

Yes, since New Jersey deregulated power generation in 1999, customers have been able to shop for their energy supplier. You can find a list of licensed third-party electric suppliers on the NJ Powerswitch website.

Yes, the NJBPU offers various programs and incentives to help with energy costs. They oversee the annual energy auction, known as Basic Generation Service (BGS), which provides a default service if you choose not to shop for an energy supplier. They also offer solar incentive programs through the NJ Clean Energy Program website.

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