Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Universal Service Fund topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BPU finalizes USF, Lifeline rates; staff says programs assist 200,000+ households
Summary
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved staff recommendations finalizing interim Universal Service Fund and Lifeline rates effective Oct. 1, 2025, directing tariff filings and other implementation steps to support low‑income assistance.
Maureen Claire, a BPU staff presenter, told the board the utilities’ June 27, 2025 compliance filings proposed changes to the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Lifeline budgets and rates for 2025–2026 and that USF and Lifeline “provide energy assistance benefits to over 200,000 low‑income New Jersey households.”
Staff recommended finalizing interim USF rates approved in the board’s Sept. 25, 2024 order and directed subsequent compliance filings and related interim rates to be examined in later proceedings. Staff also recommended rejecting Rate Counsel’s suggested forecasting adjustments at this time but ordered staff to work with parties after a comprehensive audit to consider methodology changes for the 2026 filing.
The board was asked to approve corrected electric and gas rates to take effect for service on and after Oct. 1, 2025, and to direct utilities to file revised tariffs by Sept. 30, 2025. Staff presented figures showing a corrected USF budget of approximately $329,200,000 and a Lifeline budget of $74,500,000; staff said these rates would support a combined USF/Lifeline annual bill of $61.36 for an average residential customer using both gas and electric, a net increase of $10.60 per year. Staff also recommended reimbursement to utilities for USF‑related administrative costs for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025 totaling $53,003 and authorizing use of the remainder of the board’s 2025 RGGI allocation to offset some bill credits for eligible customers.
Commissioners moved to approve staff’s recommendations. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call.
The board’s actions finalize interim rates and set procedural steps (tariff filings and follow‑up compliance filings) for the year ahead; staff said further methodological issues raised by Rate Counsel will be examined after a comprehensive audit and ahead of the 2026 filing.
