Council clears request for PSE&G data for community solar program; members ask about privacy and opt‑out details

The Hoboken City Council approved a resolution authorizing the city to request customer account data from Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) to identify eligible participants for the city’s community solar renewable energy program.

Director Gonzales and staff described the request as standard practice for community solar enrollment. Gonzales said the city would sign a nondisclosure agreement and that the data would go directly from PSE&G to the city’s energy agent; the material was described as "bill payer data" and treated as highly confidential.

Council members raised privacy and consumer protection questions. One council member asked whether the program was opt‑in or opt‑out; staff replied that the program uses an opt‑out enrollment model and that eligible customers would receive bill discounts. Members also asked about the program term and whether a promotional rate could later rise — a concern the council has encountered in similar opt‑out programs. Staff said participants would revert to the utility if the community solar contract ended and committed to provide the council with the program term and a written summary of customer impacts.

In public comment, residents recounted individual problems with related utility enrollments and bills. Patricia Waiters described difficulty removing her account from a program and receiving repeated bills she said she had not authorized. That comment prompted council members to request clearer consumer notices and an administrative follow‑up from staff.

The resolution was adopted on a recorded vote. Council members said they expect the administration to return with the nondisclosure agreement language and a clear consumer notice that explains opt‑out rights and any long‑term rate implications.