Bailey, Simmons, Miller bill creating “Energy Bill Watch” Program seeks to prevent sticker shock when New Jersey residents receive their utility bills 

(TRENTON) — Following one of the hottest summers on record, a bill designed to help New Jersey residents ensure they are not caught off-guard by unexpected and excessive utility bills passed in the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee today. Bill A4817, sponsored by Assembly members Dave Bailey Jr., Heather Simmons, and Cody Miller, would require electric and gas public utilities to establish an “Energy Watch Program.” The program would notify smart meter customers when their energy consumption exceeds certain thresholds, giving them the tools to manage their usage and avoid high costs.

“The sticker shock of large utility bills at the end of the month can be unaffordable for working families who struggle to manage household finances,” said Assemblyman Bailey (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “The early notifications will give them the ability to adjust their usage and prevent surprise bills that break their budgets.”

The hot summer, combined with rising electricity costs across the region, resulted in New Jersey residents experiencing a sharp increase in their electric and gas costs, with reports indicating some residents’ bills more than doubled.”

“Utility companies should be taking advantage of new technologies in ways that help consumers,” said Assemblywoman Simmons (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “This plan will provide the information that customers need in ways that are easy to use.”

The program would require utility companies to text customers on the 10th and 20th days of each billing cycle if their usage exceeds either their previous bill’s usage or the same billing cycle from the previous calendar year. Customers would also have the option to set a specific dollar threshold for the alerts, ensuring that the alerts are tailored to their individual financial needs.

“Everyone deserves to come home to a comfortable environment, whether it’s cooling off in the summer or warming up in the winter, without the worry of high energy costs,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester). “By providing up-to-date information through simple notifications, we can help families better budget and plan for their energy use, ensuring that comfort doesn’t come at a financial cost.”

To guarantee residents can benefit from the legislation, electric and gas utilities would be required to advertise the “Energy Bill Watch” program, announce the availability of the program to smart meter customers, and auto-enroll all smart meter customers into the program. Information on how to customize notifications and opt-out would also be available to customers.

In October, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee heard testimony from invited guests, including representatives from gas and utility companies and other advocates and stakeholders, regarding recent electricity rate increases and the related cost burden on utility customers in certain service areas.