Atlantic County commissioners adopt resolution opposing NJBPU‑approved electricity rate increase; criticize Atlantic City Electric for declining board briefing

The Atlantic County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution opposing the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' (NJBPU) approved 17.23% electricity rate increase and expressing concern about a proposed additional 8% increase by Atlantic City Electric.

The resolution — sponsored by Commissioner John W. Risley Jr. — also “urges the NJBPU to uphold their fiduciary duty to look out for the best interest of the ratepayers of the State of New Jersey,” according to the agenda language read into the record. Commissioners used the public‑comment portion of the agenda to press the county’s case and to call on the utility to speak directly to residents.

Nut Graf: Why this matters

Commissioners framed the increase as an immediate household burden that will affect residents’ ability to pay for essentials. Several members said the county sought to have Atlantic City Electric brief the full board and the public but that the utility declined to appear.

What commissioners said

"We need electric," Commissioner John W. Risley Jr. said during debate, arguing that insufficient generation and plant closures have left ratepayers exposed to market prices. "You can't run your hospitals. You can't do anything. It's just as essential as water."

Commissioner Corsi said the board had earlier invited Atlantic City Electric to address commissioners and the public and criticized the utility's refusal to appear. "Why don't you come before the full board and make that same presentation to all commissioners?" Corsi said, adding that the public should be able to speak directly to company representatives.

Commissioner Bertino warned that state policy choices and a narrow focus on certain generation sources increase costs. "When you pigeonhole yourself as a state ... rebates, programs, everything you do to subsidize energy generation or even use ... eventually it gets put on your bill as a user," Bertino said.

Commissioner Kearns criticized the sequence of policy changes, saying, "They're pushing the new infrastructure. We're shutting down the current infrastructure with nothing to replace it." He said the combination of policy and market conditions could mean further increases ahead.

Utility engagement

Commissioner Risley and others said representatives of Atlantic City Electric met with a smaller committee but declined an invitation to address the full board and public. Commissioners said that declined meeting raised frustration among ratepayers who wanted to ask questions face‑to‑face.

Next steps and context

The resolution registers the board’s formal opposition and requests the NJBPU to reconsider or better account for ratepayer impacts; it does not itself change state regulatory decisions. Commissioners said they planned to communicate the resolution to state officials and to encourage the utility to engage publicly with constituents.

Ending

The board approved the resolution by roll call. Several commissioners asked staff to share the board’s position with state officials and to continue outreach to stakeholders.