Petition of Pivotal Utility Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Elizabethtown Gas for Approval of Increased Base Tariff Rates and Charges for Gas Service and Other Tariff Revisions, BPU Docket No.: GR09030195, OAL Docket No.: PUC-03655-2009N

On March 10, 2009, Pivotal Utility Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Elizabethtown Gas ("Company") filed a Petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities ("Board") seeking approval to increase its rates for natural gas service by $24.8 million.  The increase being requested by the Company is for natural gas distribution service, that is, the rates that that cover the costs of  distributing natural gas through the Company's natural gas distribution pipelines to end users, and the costs of administering customer accounts such as metering, billing, and customer service. Under the Company's proposal, an average monthly bill for a typical residential heating customer using an average of 100 therms per month would increase by about $8.37 per month, or 4.9 per cent.

Public Hearing Statement given by Felicia Thomas-Friel, Deputy Public Advocate on August 11, 2009 at the Rahway Municipal Counsel, Court Chambers, City Hall Plaza, Rahway, New Jersey.

Direct Testimony of Robert J. Henkes, Matthew I. Kahal, Brian Kalcic, Richard LeLash, Michael J. Majoros, Jr., David Nichols, Dian P.Callaghan, Michael J. McFadden (includes A.E. Middents and John N. Peters) and David E. Peterson filed on behalf of the Department of the Public Advocate, Division of Rate Counsel on August 21, 2009.

Market Manager Recommendations of the 2008 Clean Energy Program Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency Programs and Energy Efficiency Protocols, BPU Docket No. EX04040276 Rate Counsel is participating in the proposed 2008 Renewable Energy ("RE") budget and RE programs, Energy Efficiency ("EE") budget and EE programs.

Final Comments filed by Rate Counsel on November 30, 2008 which address the proposed budgets and program proposals developed by the Market Managers.

Proposed Amendments to N.J.A.C. 14:4-1.2, 14:8-2.1 to 8-2.3, 2.8 to 2.11 Published June 15, 2008, New Jersey Public Register Before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Comments of the Division of Rate Counsel on the BPU's proposed revisions to the solar energy component of its Renewable Portfolio Standards Rule (8/15/08)

Petition of South Jersey Gas Company to Change the Level of its Societal Benefits Clause (SBC) and Transportation Initiation Clause (TIC), BPU Docket No. GR07120969, OAL Docket No. PUCRS 00674-2008s. On December 21, 2007 South Jersey Company filed a petition seeking approval to Change the Levels of its SBC and its TIC. The Company is seeking a $7,403,161 increase in its SBC and a $39,000 reduction to the TIC. The proposed increase in the SBC consists of a proposed increase of 1.5 cents per them the Company’s Remediation Adjustment Clause (RAC), offset by a decrease of .27 cents per them in the Clean Energy Program (CLEP) charge. The Company is proposing a small decrease, .01 cents per therm in its TIC. The proposed rate changes would total $2.44, or approximately 0.82% on a 200-therm winter heating bill.

Public Hearing Statement given by Sarah H. Steindel in Voorhees, New Jersey on June 11, 2008.

Petition of New Jersey Natural Gas Company for Approval of an Increase in Gas Rates, Depreciation Rates for Gas Property, and for Changes in the Tariff for Gas Service, Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:2-18 and 48:2-21, BPU Docket No. GR07110889, OAL Docket No. PUC-12545-07 On November 20, 2007, New Jersey Natural Gas Company filed a Petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities seeking approval to increase its rates for natural gas service by $54.5 million.  Under the Company's proposal, an average monthly bill for a typical residential heating customer using an average of 100 therms per month would increase by about $11.35 per month, or 7.5 percent per year.

Direct Testimony of Howard Woods (May 30, 2008), James Cotton (May 30, 2008), Andrea Crane (May 30, 2008), Brian Kalcic (May 30, 2008), Michael J. McFadden, A.E. Middents and John N. Peters (May 9, 2008), Rick W. Lelash (April 25, 2008), David Peterson (April 18, 2008), Matthew I. Kahal (April 17, 2008), filed on behalf of the Division of Rate Counsel.   Supplemental Direct Testimony of Richard LeLash filed on behalf of the Division of Rate Counsel on May 30, 2008. 

Public Hearing Statement given by Judith B. Appel, Assistant Deputy Public Advocate on May 13, 2008 in Freehold, New Jersey.

In the Matter of the Proposal for Account Look-Up for Third Party Suppliers and Clean Power Marketers, BPU Docket No. A07110885 On November 30, 2007, the BPU issued a request for comments to all interested parties concerning a procedure to allow local distribution companies (gas and electric) to release customer account information to third party energy suppliers or clean power marketers pursuant to N.J.A.C. 14:4-1A.3.

Comments filed on January 11, 2008, in response to the BPU's request for comments.

In the Matter of the Comprehensive Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Analysis for 2005-2008, Final 2007 programs and Budgets: Compliance Filings-Modification of smart Growth Restrictions and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Eligibility, BPU Docket No. EX04040276 The below comments are filed in response to a public notice issued by the Secretary to the Board of Public Utilities on or about November 30, 2007.

Comments of the Division of Rate Counsel regarding the proposed EE program amendment and the proposed correction of certain provisions of market manager TRC's compliance filing concerning the Combined Heat and Power Program.

I/M/O the Renewable Portfolio Standard - Recommendations for Alternative Compliance Payments and Solar Alternative Compliance Payment for Energy Year 2008, a Stakeholder Process Regarding Alternative Compliance Payment and Solar Alternative Compliance Payment levels for Energy Year 2009 and 2010 or Longer, and a Solar REC-Only Pilot BPU Docket No. EO6100744 

Rate Counsel's comments filed June 22, 2006 on issues on the future of solar energy development in New Jersey. Rate Counsel's comments address four important areas (1) the current analyses conducted by Summit Blue Consulting on behalf of the Board and the Office of Clean Energy (OCE); (2) the potential market design structures for organizing the future of New Jersey's solar markets; (3) the OCE Strawman proposal submitted on May 25, 2007 and (4) our comments and thoughts on the remaining questions included in the Board's December 21, 2006 Order.

Reply Comments submitted by Rate Counsel on the future market design for solar energy in New Jersey, July 16, 2007.

Supplemental Reply Comments submitted by Rate Counsel. August 21, 2007.  

Revised Supplemental Reply Comments submitted by Rate Counsel on the update and final Strawman proposal provided by the Office of Clean Energy on August 24, 2007.

Comments Proposed Readoption with Amendments: N.J.A.C. 14:6, BPU Dkt. No. GX06060489. October 20, 2006

Comments, I/M/O Natural Gas Customer Enrollment Issues and Procedures, Docket No. GX06010036. July 31, 2006 

Direct Testimony of Richard W. Lelash I/M/O Public Service Electric and Gas Company's 2005/2006 Annual BGSS Commodity Charges Filing for its Residential Customers, BPU Docket No. GR05050470, OAL Docket No. OAL PUCRA-11212-2005N. May 26, 2006

Comments on RGGI Draft Model Rule from the State of New Jersey Rate Counsel. May 23, 2006

Reply Brief Joint Petition Of Public Service Electric And Gas Company and Exelon Corporation for Approval of a Change in Control of Public Service Electric And Gas Company, and Related Authorizations. BPU Docket No.EM05020106, OAL Docket No. PUC 1874-05. May 10, 2006 

Joint Petition of Public Service Electric and Gas Company and Exelon Corporation for Approval of a Change in Control of Public Service Electric and Gas Company, and Related Authorizations, BPU Docket No.EM05020106, OAL Docket No. PUC 1874-05

Comments Focused Audit of Affiliate Transactions and Management Audit of South Jersey Gas Company by The Liberty Consulting Group, BPU Docket No. AX04040277. April 25, 2006

Supplemental Testimony of Robert Fagan and David Schlissel, Joint Petition of Public Service Electric and Gas Company and Exelon Corporation for Approval of a Change in Control of Public Service Electric and Gas Company and Related Authorizations. BPU Docket No. EM05020106, OAL Docket No. PUC 1874-05. March 17, 2006

Direct Testimony of Richard W. Lelash, Petition of Pivotal Utility Holdings D/B/A Elizabethtown Gas Company to Establish a Pipeline Replacement Cost Recovery Rider, BPU Docket No. GR05040371. February 28, 2006

Comments I/M/O Proposed Amendments to N.J.A.C. 14:1-5.14 Standard of Review of Petitions for Approval of a Merger, Consolidation, Acquisition and/or Change in Control, BPU Docket No. AX05080742. February 17, 2006

Comments I/M/O Proposed Amendments to N.J.A.C. 14:4-4 Public Utility Holding Company Standards, BPU Docket No. AX05070641. February 17, 2006

Renewable Portfolio Standards Rules, Proposed Readoption with Substantive Amendments, BPU Docket No.: EX05080733. December 16, 2005

Economic Impacts of New Jersey’s Proposed Renewable Portfolio Standard – Report Schedules. December 16, 2005

Economic Impacts of New Jersey’s Proposed Renewable Portfolio Standard. December 16, 2005

Comments In the Matter of a Pilot Program Allowing Sub-Metering in Residential Properties Regulated by the New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, BPU Docket No. AO05080734. September 12, 2005

Comments, Regarding Atlantic County Utilities Authority Request for Exemption from $2.5 Million Annual CORE Rebate Cap for 2005. September 8, 2005

Comments In the Matter of Public Service Electric and Gas Company's Proposed Amendments to its Buried Underground Distribution Tariff, BPU Docket No. ET5010053. August 24, 2005

Comments Petition of New Jersey Natural Gas Company for Authority (a) to Issue and Deliver First Mortgage Bonds of Similar Financial Instruments in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $35.8 Million; and (b) to Execute and Deliver Supplemental Indentures, Loan Agreements, Bond Purchase Agreements, and Related Economic Development Authority, Bonds and/or Insurance Companies in Connection therewith, BPU Docket No. GF05060544. August 16, 2005

INITIAL COMMENTS from The New Jersey Division Of The Ratepayer Advocate Requesting Evidentiary Hearings or Alternatively, an Extension of Time, Discovery, Assignment of an Administrative Law Judge, and Supplemental Comments, FERC Docket No. EC05-43-000. April 11, 2005

Affidavit of Richard W. LeLash, New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer Advocate's Comments and Request for Evidentiary Hearings or, in the Alternative, an Extension of Time, Discovery, Assignment of an Administrative Law Judge, and Supplemental Comments, FERC Docket No. EC05-43-000. April 6, 2005

Comments of the Division of the Ratepayer Advocate on the Proposed Green Power Choice Program Design Version 1.0. February 18, 2005