This summer has been hot, with several heatwaves, resulting in increased use of electricity. Most residential utility usage this summer has been from powering air conditioning systems. Electric bills this summer, starting with July's for June's usage, have been much higher when compared to previous billing periods, even if you used less electricity.

Bill "Credits"

PSE&G is providing customers with two $30 "deferred" credits on July and August utility bills. These are not actual bill credits. It simply defers $30 of July and August's bills to a future date.

Customers will need to repay the total of $60 in "deferred credits", in the form of an extra $10 added to each utility bill. This payback period will run from September through February.

Actual "Bill Credits"

On, August 13th, the BPU made a motion to credit utility users in NJ $50 on September and another $50 on October bills. This is a total credit of $100 per residential customer. It appears, based on the information available, that these credits will not need to be repaid, unlike the credits referenced above.

Payment Assistance

If you are having difficulty paying your utility bills, PSE&G’s website has a section which lists various programs that you may qualify for. Learn more here.

The Grid & Blame

While Manville has PSE&G as its utility provider, electricity is provided from the "PJM Interconnection". This is an electric grid operator that comprises the movement of electricity across 13 states, and Washington DC. PJM is a wholesale market of electricity, and it is from their auction process that caused such a drastic rate increase this season.

The obvious increase in demand is from the hot weather. We've had several heatwaves this summer so far. Another component to the increased demand in the PJM grid is coming from datacenters, especially ones that power AI. Such datacenters require enormous amounts of power.

There is also a backlog of new interconnection projects that want to connect to the PJM grid to supply power. These projects, when and if approved, would increase electricity supply into the grid. In theory, more available supply would lower rates.

A recent poll taken by Fairleigh Dickinson University asked voters who they blame regarding higher electricity rates. Overall, 26% blamed the utility companies.

When broken down by political party, 31% of Democrats and 29% of Independents blame the utility companies. 33% of Republicans blame Governor Murphy for the higher bills.

Manville residents are concerned about ever-increasing costs they are facing in their day-to-day lives, with utility bills being the latest burden.