In response to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ rulingthis week on rate increases for three utilities in the state,Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) releasedsuggestions for how its $1.6 million natural gas customers canconserve energy and manage bills.

To pass on the spiking natural gas costs, the company had requesteda 24% rate increase but was granted only 16% with a 2% flex in eitherdirection each month from December through April 2001 (see Daily GPI,Oct. 11).

PSE&G’s new rate would raise the average gas bill for 100therms from $70 a month to $81.20. The increases granted onWednesday only pertains to commodity costs.

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) released a similar winter warninglist to its customers almost immediately after the board reachedits decision Oct. 10. The company received the 16% rate increase itwas seeking, and warned customers their bills per 100 therms wouldrise from $76.33 to $89.63

PSE&G advised customers among other things to monitor theirthermostats, insulate areas around windows and doors and close offunused rooms.

©Copyright 2000 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.