REMARKS OF SEEMA M. SINGH, ESQ.
RATEPAYER ADVOCATE
PRESENTED BY DIANE
SCHULZE
I/M/O the Provision of Basic
Generation Service
for Year Two of the Post-transition
Period
Good
evening. My name is Diane Schulze,
and I am an attorney representing the New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer
Advocate. Our office was created by
the New Jersey Legislature to represent ratepayers in cases such as this involving
public utility service.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company, [1] filed a proposal on July 1, 2003 with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities [2] concerning its Basic Generation Service or BGS. The filing was a joint proposal with the other three investor-owned electric utilities serving New Jersey. The Company provides BGS to all its customers who do not obtain electric supply from a third party supplier. Public Service requested that the Board approve the procurement of electric supply for BGS through a statewide auction process that is scheduled to be held in early February 2004.
The joint proposal provides for two simultaneous statewide auctions – one auction for BGS-FP service for residential and smaller commercial customers and another auction for BGS-CIEP service for larger commercial and industrial customers. The new rates for BGS resulting from the auction would be effective June 1, 2004 and could be higher or lower than current BGS rates depending on the auction results.
The BPU orally approved the utilities’ joint proposal with some modifications on October 22, 2003. The oral decision was followed by a written order dated December 2, 2003. The BPU approved similar statewide auctions in the last two years.
Our office is continuing a complete review of the Company's request and the auction process based on the information that is being supplied and updated by the Company and the other electric utilities. We have retained the services of an expert consultant to assist us in our review. The Ratepayer Advocate's inquiry is focused on the critical issues of whether the joint proposal allows ratepayers to pay the lowest rates possible consistent with receiving safe, reliable and proper service. The BPU will make the final decision regarding the joint proposal and the proposed BGS rates that will come out of the auctions.
The purpose of this hearing is for you, the customer, to voice your opinion, relate your experiences and offer comments about this matter. It is important that you express your views so they may become part of the record on which the Board makes its decision. The Ratepayer Advocate also needs to hear your views. Your active participation is strongly encouraged to help in our evaluation of the Company's proposals.
This hearing
is being transcribed and your comments will become part of the record. I would like to reiterate the importance of your participation
so that the Ratepayer Advocate can have a clear record of your concerns and
interests.
On behalf of the Ratepayer Advocate,
thank you for attending tonight's hearing.
[1] "Public Service" or the "Company".
[2] "Board" or "BPU".
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