To:
Governor Phil Murphy

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker

New Jersey Senator Andy Kim

Congressman Josh Gottheimer

Congresswoman Nellie Pou

State Senator Gordon M. Johnson

State Senator Benjie E. Wimberly

Assemblyman Brian Bergen

Subject: Opposition to the Recently Approved PSE&G Electricity Rate Hike

We, the undersigned residents, businesses, and community stakeholders of Bergen County, New Jersey, respectfully petition your offices to reconsider and oppose the recent electricity rate hike approved for Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G).

We are alarmed and deeply concerned by the approval of a significant rate increase for PSE&G electricity customers, which comes at a time when many New Jersey families and small businesses are already grappling with high inflation, escalating housing costs, and economic uncertainty. The burden of this increase will be especially harmful to vulnerable populations, including seniors on fixed incomes, working-class families, and small business owners. In the course of soliciting signatures many people have also asked that Orange and Rockland Utilities be included as nearly all electricity consumers in New Jersey are experiencing extraordinary rate hikes.

Key Concerns:

Lack of Justification and Transparency
The rationale behind this rate hike has not been adequately explained or justified to the public. There has been insufficient transparency around the decision-making process of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and the public comment process was limited and ineffective in reflecting community feedback. The increasing scale of the rate hike with increased consumption has had the effect of increasing summer utility bills by 40% and more. 
Economic Impact on Households and Small Businesses
This increase will exacerbate already strained household budgets and may lead to increased energy insecurity, forcing many to choose between paying for electricity and other necessities. For local small businesses still recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic, this additional cost may be unsustainable.
Disproportionate Burden on Bergen County Residents
Bergen County residents already pay among the highest utility costs in the state. Further increasing rates without tangible improvements to service, reliability, or environmental impact unjustly burdens our community.
Lack of Meaningful Investment in Renewable Infrastructure
While rate increases are sometimes justified by investment in clean energy and infrastructure upgrades, we have seen little evidence that this hike will be used to advance New Jersey’s clean energy goals in a meaningful and accountable way.
Below are real numbers from my home’s PSE&G bills comparing the effective rate per kWh for July 2024 vs. July 2025
From 6/29-7/30 of 2024 I used 2,202 kWh and paid $505.71 for delivery and supply or $0.23/kWh.

From 7/1-7/30 of 2025 I used 2,686 kWh and am billed $829.36 for delivery and supply or $0.31/kWh.

This is an increase of $0.08/kWh which is 34.7% higher than 2024. 

How can anyone justify a 34.7% increase in rates? 

We Therefore Request:

That the Governor and the Board of Public Utilities immediately review, suspend, or roll back the approved rate increase and initiate a comprehensive, public audit of PSE&G’s rate structure and future capital plans.
That our elected federal and state legislators advocate for greater transparency and accountability from the BPU and utility companies, and push for legislation that protects consumers from unjustified utility rate increases.
That future rate adjustments include robust public engagement, particularly from low-income and affected communities, and clear justification tied to measurable public benefit.
Conclusion

Affordable and reliable electricity is a basic necessity — not a luxury. As residents and business owners who rely on PSE&G for our daily needs, we demand that our voices be heard and our concerns acted upon. We urge you to protect the economic well-being of our communities by taking immediate action to reverse or mitigate this burdensome rate hike.

Sincerely,
Mark Davidoff
73 Rivervale Rd
River Vale, NJ 07675