PSE&G Proactively Implements Summer Relief Initiative to Protect Residential Electric Customers from Higher Costs
PSE&G Also Continues to Support Deferral of Electric Supply Increase This Summer Due to Record-Setting Electric Supply Auction
NEWARK, N.J., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PSE&G today announced that it is proactively implementing a Summer Relief Initiative to protect qualified residential electric customers from disconnection, while seeking approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide New Jerseyans relief on their summer electric bills. To combat the significant electric supply price increase on June 1 that is the result of PJM's capacity price auction, PSE&G is proactively implementing a Summer Relief Initiative including:
- A Summer Moratorium – an expansion of the Winter Termination Program, beginning July 1, 2025, ahead of additional residential customer relief efforts. The program provides utility shut-off protection to low-income and qualified individuals and will continue through the summer months until September 30, 2025.
- A suspension of reconnection fees.
The implementation of the Summer Moratorium and reconnection fee suspension comes on the heels of the company's filing with the BPU where we propose to defer the effects of the June 1 supply increase for residential electric customers over the summer months.
PSE&G first filed for approval of this action on May 7 and added additional support for residential customers on May 15, which is pending BPU review and approval.
"There is now widespread recognition that New Jersey needs more power generation to address the forecasted energy supply-demand imbalance," said Kim Hanemann, president and COO, PSE&G. "PSE&G is not the cause of the 17% rise in electric rates, but we can support our customers by advancing critical solutions. These actions should help relieve a burden to families and communities just as the weather is getting warmer and electricity usage hits its peak. We encourage our customers to reach out to us if they are struggling to pay their bill so we can help them access the solutions available."
New Jerseyans' energy usage is already at its highest during the summer months and the required electric rate increase would only exacerbate the situation. During this summer deferral period, PSE&G will still continue to pay the electricity suppliers, who benefit from the supply increase, the full cost of the generation in the new electric supply rate.
PSE&G is proud of its track record of high customer satisfaction while maintaining customer affordability and award-winning reliable service. PSE&G combined electric and gas bills are nearly equivalent to their 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation.
Understanding the Impact of Summer Heat on Bills
It is important not to confuse increased electric rates with increased electric usage: summer months often coincide with high heat, frequently leading to increased electric usage as customers run their air conditioners more often. The amount of electricity needed to cool your house to 75 degrees when it's 90 degrees outside is 125% higher than when it's 85 degrees outside.
Regardless of electric rates, customers can take steps now to understand and manage their energy usage. Customers can find valuable energy efficiency information at pseg.com/energyefficiency and bizsave.pseg.com.
Long-term Solutions Needed
For several years, PSE&G has been warning about the supply and demand imbalance in the region.
We remain committed to working with policymakers regarding long-term solutions to these significant rate increases, including advancing policies that encourage the development of new power generation in New Jersey.
PSE&G Customer Assistance
PSE&G works directly with its customers, and with nonprofits and community organizations who work with utility customers, to inform them about energy assistance options.
PSE&G provides information regarding affordability options that customers may qualify for based on certain criteria like income eligibility (i.e. the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program [LIHEAP], or SHARES for customers who may be experiencing a temporary financial crisis).
There are also additional bill payment tools to help customers manage costs, including PSE&G's Equal Payment Plan and Deferred Payment Arrangements. PSE&G's Equal Payment Plan estimates annual energy costs, and divides bills into 12 equal monthly payments, which allows customers to levelize their monthly spend expectations. Deferred Payment Arrangements allow customers to pay a portion of past-due balances over an agreed-upon period.
Customers can find valuable energy assistance information at pseg.com/saveenergy.
PSE&G
Public Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey's oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation's largest utilities. PSE&G has won the ReliabilityOne® Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 23 consecutive years. For the third consecutive year, PSE&G is the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category. In addition, in 2024 J.D. Power named PSE&G number one in customer satisfaction with residential electric service and gas service in the east among large utilities. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 17 consecutive years (www.pseg.com).
Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding anticipated or expected energy savings, cost saving and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance. There can be no assurance that such energy and costs savings and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance will be realized in the amounts described and / or in the timeframes anticipated. Such statements are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management but are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that may cause actual results to differ include, without limitation: the ability to implement our energy efficiency business strategy, and customer adoption of our energy efficiency offerings. All forward-looking statements made in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements The forward-looking statements contained in this Report are intended to qualify for the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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CONTACT:
Media Relations
Marijke Shugrue
862-465-1445
[email protected]
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