Full Breakdown
New Jersey Residents Face Rising Electricity Costs and Power Outages Amid Ongoing Energy Strain
5/22/2026, 8:41:37 AM
Elevated Bills Despite Stable Usage
New Jersey households are seeing higher electric bills even when consumption remains unchanged. The increase stems from a statewide reset of electricity supply rates that lifted wholesale costs by roughly 17 %– 20 % for customers of utilities such as JCP&L, PSE&G, Atlantic City Electric and Rockland Electric. Although 2026 rate adjustments are modest—about 1 %– 2 % increases for some utilities and slight decreases for others—the higher baseline costs set in 2025 remain embedded in current statements, keeping total bills elevated as summer demand rises.
Background: State-Run Auctions and Supply-Rate Reset
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities conducts annual auctions that determine the price utilities pay for wholesale power. Last year’s auction resulted in a significant price jump, which utilities passed directly to consumers. The higher baseline persists despite a recent flattening of wholesale prices, meaning that reduced usage does not automatically translate into lower monthly charges.
Data: Rate Increases and Outage Figures
- Supply-rate hikes: ? 17 %– 20 % across major utilities.
- 2026 utility adjustments: ? 1 %– 2 % increase or slight decrease.
- Storm-related outages (May 2026): ? 4,000 homes and businesses without power, reported by Jersey Central Power & Light, PSE&G and Atlantic City Electric.
- Localized impacts: 1,000+ homes in Monmouth County; 120 customers in Edison (PSE&G); 112 in Bordentown (JCP&L).
Official Statements & Utility Responses
- The utilities confirmed that a printing error caused some Atlantic City Electric paper bills to display inflated balances, though online accounts showed correct amounts.
- PSE&G spokesperson said power was restored to the Alvin E. Gershen senior-housing complex around 2 p.m. after an equipment-test failure.
- Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin reported that officials evacuated residents from the same complex during the outage.
- Utilities noted that 2026 rate changes are modest, but the 2025 baseline increase will continue to affect total bills throughout the summer peak.
Criticism and Consumer Concerns
Customers express confusion over why bills have not fallen despite stable or reduced usage. The persistent “disconnect” between consumption and cost has left many residents questioning the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
On-the-Ground Impacts: Storm Outages and Senior Housing Evacuation
Severe thunderstorms knocked down trees and power lines across the state, leaving thousands without electricity. In Edison, Route 1 was closed after a large tree fell on live wires. The Alvin E. Gershen Apartments in Hamilton Township, a senior-citizen residence, lost power during an equipment test, prompting voluntary evacuations, hospital transports for shortness of breath, and reliance on a portable generator to operate an elevator.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The billing error affected only mailed statements; online balances remained accurate, creating a discrepancy between paper and digital bills.
- Outage counts vary by source: statewide utilities cite ? 4,000 affected customers, while local reports list specific numbers (e.g., 120 in Edison).
- The precise technical cause of the senior-housing outage beyond “equipment test” is not detailed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We had a generator we have a snow blower, a lawn mower, we have furniture. There’s quite a bit of stuff in there that’s probably just smashed,” — Gail Lemaldi, Edison resident
- “These apartments get over 90, 100 when there's no AC blowing. That's dangerous,” — Ken Snyder, resident
- “He can't walk down the steps so it's getting hot up there, his food is gonna be going bad pretty soon,” — Edwin Reed, resident
- “So, I went to my mom, and I said, 'Oh, yes, you are.' … Electric goes out on occasion, but you do have people on oxygen with walkers, with wheelchairs, and they can't go down the steps.” — Elaine Hart, resident
- “Could they have waited for a hotter day?” — Andy Petronella, resident
What’s Next: Summer Demand and Ongoing Restoration
Utilities expect total bills to stay high as air-conditioning use spikes during the summer months. Restoration crews continue to address scattered outages, while regulators monitor the impact of the 2025 supply-rate reset on consumer costs. Ongoing communication about billing accuracy and outage mitigation remains a priority for state agencies and utility providers.
