Fighting Back Against Rising Utility Costs: How We’re Taking Action

Now, more than ever, New Jerseyans are feeling the financial strain of rising costs in every aspect of daily life. That’s why affordability remains a top priority in every piece of legislation that Assemblymen Dan Hutchison and Cody Miller sponsor or support. In response to the most recent utility rate hikes approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), they introduced a Utilities Affordability Bill Package. The bill package is designed to lower energy costs, increase in-state energy production, and diversify New Jersey’s energy portfolio. 

The Utilities Affordability Bill Package

The following eight bills have been introduced in the Assembly to tackle these issues head-on:

• A5511 – Requires public utilities to provide detailed billing information to customers.

• A5512 – Prohibits residential rate increases during high-demand times of year and mandates advance notice of any rate hikes.

• A5513 – Directs the BPU to launch a public campaign on utility meter accuracy and inspection.

• A5514 – Requires local governments to use cost-saving cooperative purchasing when procuring energy-related goods and services.

• A5515 – Bans utility rate increases except in extraordinary circumstances.

• A5516 – Establishes incentives for geothermal energy systems, expands support for community solar, and boosts government energy aggregation programs.

• A5517 – Directs a statewide study on small modular nuclear reactors; appropriates $5 million.

• A5518 – Imposes a 30% windfall surtax on certain electric utility companies with excessive profit margins.

This bill package is just one of the many ways Assemblyman Hutchison and Assemblyman Miller are working hard to represent you in Trenton and protect your household from unfair rate hikes. 

For further information, please click the links above to access the full text of each bill. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at 856-232-6700.