WASHINGTON — Rep. Jefferson Van Drew is calling on Atlantic City Electric to explain why customers are receiving notices of higher electric bills after Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a State of Emergency on utility costs and directed the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to freeze rate increases.
In a letter dated Friday to Pepco Holdings President and CEO J. Tyler Anthony, Van Drew said constituents were notified that their average monthly electric bill is expected to increase from approximately $158 to $184. According to the notice cited in the letter, the increase includes a $23 electric supply charge and a $5 increase in delivery costs.
Van Drew questions compliance with state’s emergency order
Van Drew said the timing of the increase raises questions because New Jersey has already declared a State of Emergency on utility costs.
“Families across South Jersey are already paying some of the highest electric rates in the country,” Van Drew said in a statement. “Many are trying to figure out how to keep their homes cool this summer while still paying for other basic expenses.”
He added, “Atlantic City Electric cannot keep simply passing along increases to the ratepayer, especially when the state has declared a State of Emergency on Utility Costs and directed the Board of Public Utilities to freeze rate increases.”
In his letter, Van Drew requested “a detailed, specific explanation” of how the utility’s rate notice complies with the state’s executive order and what steps the company is taking to shield vulnerable and fixed-income customers from higher costs.
Utility costs remain a political flashpoint
Van Drew said public confidence has been damaged by years of rising electric bills.
“The trust between ACE and the people it serves has been completely eroded,” he said. “The company has a chance here to begin rebuilding that trust, but only if it responds with real answers and real relief. And by that, I mean actually bringing people’s bills down instead of finding new ways to increase them every few months.”
The governor’s office has previously said the emergency declaration and actions by the Board of Public Utilities are intended to provide relief from rising electricity costs.
ACE customers are seeing the exact opposite.
