The state Board of Public Utilities today approved an order requiring regulated public utilities post on their websites all documents they file for their proposed rate hike cases. Above, BPU president Robert Hanna in a photo from last year. New Jersey’s regulated public utilities have long been required to post legal notices in newspapers about any proposed rate hikes along with related public hearings on those requests. But the brief announcements are usually published in small type and buried inside the paper, with summary information that can get overlooked.
That soon will change.
The state Board of Public Utilities today approved an order requiring that utilities post on their websites all documents filed in pending rate cases and upcoming public hearings. Water, electric and gas companies must also provide a web address to that online material in every customer’s monthly bill until the rate case is decided.
The information would include proposed rate increases like Jersey Central Power & Light’s current $600 million storm damage recovery request, or other issues that might trigger a rate hike, such as Public Service Electric & Gas' $3.9 billion “Energy Strong” infrastructure upgrade proposal. A company’s case filing can include hundreds of pages, though its legal notice explaining the proposal is usually no more than a few sentences.
“I think it’s important that the Board move into the modern age as far as notice of proceedings go,” BPU president Robert Hanna said at the meeting in Trenton before the unanimous vote. “We are in a very connected age and I think we should take advantage of the internet and post things promptly on utility company websites” and their social media sites, he said.
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Only companies that have more than 2,000 customers and maintain a website must comply with the order. Utilities are still required to post legal notices in newspapers. BPU staff will monitor the companies for compliance, and the information must be put online within 60 days.
The decision has received broad support from parties that don’t often agree, including the New Jersey Utilities Association and the state Division of Rate Counsel, which advocates for consumers in utility rate cases and is objecting to pending filings from PSE&G and JCP&L.
“We’re supportive of transparency and making the public aware of what’s going on in a rate case and how they can get involved,” said Andrew Hendry, president of the NJUA, which represents 13 investor-owned utilities, including JCP&L and PSE&G.
Rate Counsel and NJUA contributed suggestions to the plan, along with AARP New Jersey, which also supports it. Evelyn Liebman, the chapter's associate state director for advocacy, said the group still wants utilities with rate cases to hold public hearings in every county of their service area, and for the BPU to record its meetings so people don't have to travel to Trenton to watch proceedings.
Stefanie Brand, Rate Counsel director, said the BPU's order followed complaints from residents who felt they had inadequate information about the proposed rate hikes or were never told about upcoming public hearings.
“It’s important that people pay attention to the filings and to do that, they need to have access to the information,” Brand said. “We want to hear from the public and the public wants to be heard.”
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