BPU approves multiple utility tariff stipulations; most customers see changes under $4 a month

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities voted Dec. 17 to approve a set of staff-recommended stipulations and provisional rates that, collectively, change small monthly amounts on many residential customers' bills.

Staff presenter Stacy told the board that Atlantic City Electric proposed reducing its SREC 2 administrative fee to $14.79 for calendar year 2026 and recommended the board issue an order approving that reduction. The board approved the recommendation. Stacy also reported that Jersey Central Power & Light sought to maintain its SREC 2 administrative fee at $17 and Rockland Electric sought to maintain its fee at $30; the board approved staff recommendations to maintain those rates.

The board approved a stipulation allowing New Jersey Natural to recover a $3,330,000 revenue requirement through its infrastructure investment program tariff component; staff said that change would increase a typical residential heating customer’s monthly bill by $0.52. On related matters staff recommended and the board approved a separate stipulation resolving modifications to the company’s energy-efficiency rate components, which staff said would raise a typical residential customer's bill by about $1.95. The board also adopted a provisional balancing charge and SIP (system improvement) stipulation for New Jersey Natural that staff said would decrease a typical residential heating customer’s bill by $3.74; that provisional relief is subject to refund with interest and requires revised tariffs to be filed prior to Jan. 1.

For PSE&G, staff recommended provisional implementation of new gas conservation-incentive program rates subject to refund; staff said a typical residential heating customer would see about a $0.44 monthly increase and the board approved the provisional stipulation. The board separately approved a stipulation that decreases a per-therm margin adjustment, which staff said would cut a typical residential monthly bill by about $0.11.

Other utility items approved included Aqua New Jersey’s wastewater treatment adjustment clause true-up (staff estimated a $2.04 monthly increase for a typical residential customer) and an Atlantic City Sewerage stipulation estimated at about a $3.72 per-month residential equivalent. The board also approved a 2025 stipulation amending New Jersey American Water Company's lead service line replacement plan; staff said there is no immediate rate impact from that amendment.

All board motions carried on roll call following staff presentations. The board’s action notes direct utilities to file revised tariffs where applicable and, in the case of provisional rates, to implement rates subject to refund and any subsequent Office of Administrative Law processing.

Next steps: affected utilities must file revised tariffs by Jan. 1 where directed. The board’s orders and stipulations will govern how refunds, if due, are calculated and returned to customers.