2022

March 11, 2022 - Consumer Alert issued by the Federal Communication's Commission regarding deceptive and fraudulent practices by service providers of low-income broadband services.

March 11, 2022 - FCC Inspector General Advisory - FCC Inspector General issues Advisory regarding Provider efforts to deceive lifeline consumers during the online enrollment process

 

2021

November 23, 2021 - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Appoints Brian O. Lipman as New Director of Utility Customer Ratepayer Advocate - Rate Counsel

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

March 6, 2017 - Rate Counsel Releases Updated - 2017 - Consumer Assistance Handbook to Assist With Utility Concerns, Saving Money & Consumer Rights Information

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

November 6, 2014 - Rate Counsel Receives Award for Consumer Assistance Handbook that Helps Customers Understand Utility Issues and Their Rights as Consumers

 

 

2013

May 22, 2013 - Rate Counsel Releases New Consumer Assistance Handbook to Help Answer Utility Questions and Provide Consumer Rights Info 

April 3, 2013 - Rate Counsel Offices Move to Trenton Effective April 8, 2013- Advocacy Mission Remains the Same

 

 

2012

March 12, 2012 - Rate Counsel Succeeds in Credit Reporting Settlement: PSE&G Agrees to Withdraw Proposal to Report Customer Information.

 

 

2010

November 8, 2010 - Rate Counsel Files Challenge to PSE&G's Proposed Reporting of Customer Info to Credit Bureau. Plan Goes Against NJ Statute

June 8, 2010 -  Rate Counsel Applauds Agreement with PSE&G, Citing Refund of Over $122 Million to Ratepayers

 

 

2009

July 30, 2009 - Public Advocate Applauds Board Decision to Order Focused Audit of NJ American Water Company
April 16, 2009 -
Public Advocate Negotiates Balanced Utility Infrastructure Projects

 

 

2008

July 11, 2008 - Rate Counsel Negotiates Agreement Maintaining Regulation of Verizon’s Basic Telephone Service.
March 18, 2008 -
Rate Counsel Negotiates Agreement on PSE&G Solar Energy Plan.
February 19, 2008 -
Rate Counsel Intervenes To Stop PSE&G Export of Electricity to N.Y.
February 14, 2008 -
Rate Counsel Asks Board To Reject Telephone Deregulation Request.
February 07, 2008 -
Rate Counsel Urges Consumer Awareness of Three Telephone Deregulation Public Hearings.
January 10, 2008 -
Rate Counsel Opposes Deregulation of Phone Service.

 

 

2007

December 17, 2007 - Public Advocate Urges BPU To  Screen Low-income, Senior Consumers For Energy Assistance Program.
December 06, 2007 - Remarks of Stefanie A. Brand, Director of the N.J. Division of Rate Counsel Regarding the New Jersey Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act/Assembly Bill 4559(Mckeon/Chivukula) Presented at the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee Meeting.
November 08, 2007 -
Rate Counsel Opposes Deregulation of Cable Rates in 109 Towns.

October 24, 2007 - Rate Counsel Negotiates 44 Percent Reduction in Middlesex Water Co. Rate Increase Request.
October 24, 2007 - Rate Counsel Negotiates 54 Percent Reduction of United Water Rate Increase Request.
September 20, 2007 - Public Advocate Urges BPU to Reform State’s Electric Power Auction.
August 31, 2007 - Public Advocate Recommends Allowing More NJ Residents Eligibility for Telephone Assistance.
August 27, 2007 - Brand Named New Ratepayer Advocate.
August 27, 2007 - Public Advocate Opposes Regional Power Authority’s Effort to Settle Market Monitor Complaint.
August 24, 2007 - Public Advocate Opposes AT&T's Effort to Stop Reporting Critical Consumer Data. Data used to examine service quality and market competition.
August 15, 2007 - Public Advocate Says Atlantic Electric's Proposal Would Cost South Jersey Ratepayers More. Proposed Plan Would Increase Rates by $91.5 million.
August 14, 2007 - Public Advocate Files Appeal To Stop Telecom Deregulation Decision Advocate Fears Higher Rates.
August 07, 2007 - Public Advocate Opposes Two New Verizon Telephone Charges.
July 30, 2007 - West Milford, Elizabeth and Montvale Area Cable Subscribers Could Pay More. Public Advocate Opposes FCC Deregulation Order.
July 16, 2007 - PSE&G Owes Ratepayers $130 Million in Overpayments.
June 20, 2007  - Public Advocate Wins Victory for Consumers to Keep Free Directory Assistance Calls.
May 17, 2007 -
Public Advocate Issues Consumer Advisory of New 8-1-1 Number To “Call Before Digging” To Prevent Damaging Underground Utility Lines.
April 18, 2007 -
Public Advocate Files Complaint Against Effort to Eliminate Electric Power Market Monitor.
February 28, 2007 -
New Jersey Public Advocate Urges Consumers To Know Their Rights and Resources For Difficulty in Paying Utility Bills.
January 29, 2007 -
N.J. Public Advocate Urges Consumers to Seek Energy Efficiency Tax Credit and Telephone Refund.

 

 

2006

October 19, 2006 - N.J. Public Advocate and Rate Counsel Urge FCC To Deny Pending AT&T BellSouth Merger, Call Proposed Merger Harmful to Consumers.
September 28, 2006 -
N.J. Public Advocate and Rate Counsel Urge BPU To Protect Consumers By Restoring Rate Regulation and Maintaining Free Directory Assistance Calls.
September 11, 2006 -
N.J. Department of the Public Advocate Opposes Verizon Attempt to Collect Additional Funds To Pay For Past Due Bills and Attorney Fees.
September 1, 2006 -
N.J. Public Advocate Calls for Stricter Federal Rules to Prevent “Overcharging” Consumers for Telephone Service.
July 19, 2006 - N.J. Public Advocate and Rate Counsel Call For Verizon N.J. To Maintain 4 Free Monthly Directory Assistance Service Calls.
April 26, 2006 -
Public Advocate and Rate Counsel Oppose Currently Proposed PSEG-Exelon Merger “Positive Benefits” Still Lacking For New Jersey Consumers.
April 12, 2006 -
N.J. Ratepayer Advocate Files Appeal With FCC of AT&T’s “Belated” Request for Recovery of Telephone Number Portability Fees.
April 3, 2006 -
N.J. Ratepayer Advocate Files Appeal Challenging FCC’s Granting Approval of Verizon’s Request for Broadband "Deregulation."
February 14, 2006 -
N.J. Ratepayer Advocate Hails FCC’s Analysis on ‘A La Carte’ Cable TV Selections for Consumers and Its Confirmation of RPA Position.
February 9, 2006 -
N.J. Ratepayer Advocate Comments on 2006 Basic Generation Services Electric Auction Results.
January 24, 2006 -
N.J. Ratepayer Advocate Announces Settlement Reached for Consumers in United Telephone Co. Of New Jersey’s Spin-off from Sprint/Nextel.