Toms River residents slammed by high power bills as outages rise in summer heat
TOMS RIVER, NJ – They say, “You get what you pay for,” but in Toms River, residents are getting anything but what they pay for.
Now, Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick is speaking out against the powers that be and is even threatening to sue the local power company if something doesn’t change.
Rodrick, who is most known for his cost-cutting measures for residents in Toms River.
Scorching summer temperatures aren’t the only thing heating up in Toms River—residents are now confronting power bills surging past $600 and a growing number of blackouts that are hitting the town’s most vulnerable residents the hardest.
Mayor Daniel T. Rodrick sounded the alarm this week after receiving a $638 electric bill for his own home, calling on both Republicans and Democrats in the state legislature to come together and act swiftly. His call to action comes amid widespread reports of power outages and financial distress, particularly among seniors living in fixed-income communities like Holiday City, where electric heating systems and essential medical equipment are critical to daily survival.
The rising costs are being attributed to a strained energy supply paired with record-high demand during extreme weather. Seniors are reporting impossible choices—paying for groceries or keeping the lights on—as they brace for even higher costs heading into the winter months.
Rodrick pointed to the state’s ballooning budget as an opportunity to reinvest in power infrastructure. He urged lawmakers to break from traditional partisan positions—Democrats to reconsider their stance on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and Republicans to embrace renewable energy sources. He said a balanced energy mix and upgraded power grid are essential to preventing future outages and lowering bills for residents.
While the summer heatwave continues, power grid strain is expected to persist, raising concerns that outages could pose health risks to seniors dependent on devices like oxygen machines and electric hospital beds. Rodrick warned that even brief disruptions could become life-threatening without action from the state government.
The mayor’s comments come amid mounting pressure on lawmakers to modernize New Jersey’s energy framework, which has struggled to keep pace with population growth and climate shifts. As debate grows over how to manage the crisis, residents across Ocean County are left to navigate surging energy costs and unreliable service without immediate relief in sight.
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Key Points
- Toms River residents report electric bills exceeding $600 and frequent outages during extreme summer heat
- Mayor Daniel Rodrick urges bipartisan action in the state legislature to modernize the grid and expand energy sources
- Seniors on fixed incomes are forced to choose between essential needs and utilities as electric demand outpaces supply
Blackouts and soaring bills are turning up the heat on New Jersey lawmakers to deliver real energy reform.