Relief is finally on the horizon for New Jersey residents who have been hit hard by rising energy costs. Following one of the hottest summers on record and a sharp jump in electricity rates, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has approved credits that will appear directly on customer bills.
What NJ Households Can Expect
Starting in September, customers of PSE&G, Jersey Central Power & Light, and Atlantic City Electric will notice a break on their statements. Each household will receive $50 off in September and another $50 in October, automatically applied without the need for enrollment or paperwork.
For families who already qualify as low-income, additional help is on the way. These households will continue receiving an extra $25 credit every month through February 2026, giving them nearly two more years of steady support.
“Providing economic relief to our residents is critical in managing rising electric costs from the PJM cost crisis,” Governor Phil Murphy said in a press release last Thursday. “My administration is furthering our commitment to affordability for our residential ratepayers by providing direct assistance to lower the monthly cost of energy bills. No New Jerseyan should fear losing electricity, and we will continue to work with BPU to ensure necessary action is taken to combat untenable energy bills for families and businesses.”
Why the Credits Are Being Issued
The state says the move was necessary after a spike in PJM capacity costs, a key factor in determining how much residents pay for electricity. Those costs landed at the worst possible time: during a summer of relentless heat waves, when air conditioners were running nonstop and demand on the grid was at its peak.
“This is one of many ways that NJBPU is putting affordability first. Over $430 million in direct assistance to nearly every residential ratepayer is a key tool to help ratepayers in the short-term, while we work to bring more electricity online which will lower costs for all ratepayers,” NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said in a statement.
A Larger Effort to Curb Costs
This round of credits represents the final step in a sweeping initiative that has funneled over $430 million in direct assistance to New Jersey utility customers. State officials describe the effort as one of the largest utility relief programs ever undertaken, designed to soften the blow of sudden rate increases while also preparing households for future cost pressures.
“Protecting consumers during periods of extreme weather and rising energy prices has been our top priority,” regulators said in a recent statement.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.