Eligible utility customers will soon be protected from having their utilities cut off during the hottest part of the summer, when electricity use is at its highest.
A law signed this week by Acting Gov. Tahesha Way prevents local utilities from cutting off electric, water and sewer services between June 15 and Aug. 31 if a customer can’t pay their bill due to circumstances beyond their control, including unemployment, illness or medical expenses. Gov. Phil Murphy is away in India this week on an economic mission.
The new program is based on what’s known as the Winter Termination program that prevents utilities from cutting off heat during winter months if eligible customers are unable to pay. Customers already eligible for that program will now be included in the new summer program as well.
It’s the latest effort from the Murphy administration to ease the pain of rising energy costs on ratepayers who have seen their bills rise by an average of $20 per month since June. The state Board of Public Utilities deferred $60 from customers’ electricity bills this summer that can be paid off later this year. Ratepayers will also get a $50 credit on their electricity bills for both September and October.
