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Atlantic City Electric will conduct an audit of its billing system following a meeting with Congressman Jeff Van Drew earlier this month. Van Drew, a Republican, announced that the utility company has agreed to investigate claims from customers who believe they were overcharged and to work on resolving these issues. The meeting was prompted by the company's request for a rate hike to cover $109 million in infrastructure improvements.
Customers have been voicing concerns about rising electric bills for several months. Atlantic City Electric's parent company, Exelon, has asked the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to approve an 8% increase in electricity delivery rates. Exelon claims the increase is necessary for technology enhancements and to ensure safe and reliable service across South Jersey. However, Van Drew criticized the proposal, stating, "Exelon has already taken far too much from the hardworking families and small businesses of South Jersey."
The proposed rate hike would fund several infrastructure projects, including the Atlantic City/Brigantine Community Reliability Project, the Beach Haven Battery Storage Project, and the Cape May Substation Reliability Project. These initiatives aim to strengthen the grid and improve service reliability.
Van Drew urged residents to voice their opposition to the BPU, emphasizing that public input is crucial in the decision-making process. He also expressed his intention to encourage the Trump administration to investigate Exelon's practices.
Phil Vavala, Atlantic City Electric's region president, stated that rate adjustments are necessary to maintain reliable energy service and address rising energy demand. If approved, the rate increase would result in a typical residential customer seeing an 8% rise in their monthly bill, approximately $12.96.