Select a topic below for more information on:

 

 

  1. How can Rate Counsel help me?
  2. What is Rate Counsel's mission?
  3. Do Rate Counsel and the Board of Public Utilities have the same responsibilities?
  4. What do I do if I have a complaint against my utility?
  5. How can I use conservation to reduce utility bills?
  6. What are my rights as a consumer of utilities and service?
  7. What if I need help with paying my utility bills?
  8. What are municipal utilities and are they an area of responsibility for Rate Counsel?
  9. How can I get energy tax credits?

  1. How can Rate Counsel help me?
    Rate Counsel is the state agency charged with representing and protecting the interests of all utility (electric, natural gas, water/sewer, telecommunications, cable TV service, and insurance-- residential, small business, commercial, and industrial) consumers in cases before the Board of Public Utilities, whenever a utility seems a change in its rates or services. Even though we do not represent individual customers or provide individual legal advice or process consumer complaints, we respond to all inquiries by providing useful information and directing you to the appropriate agency. To avoid the expense of litigation whenever it is in the best interest of ratepayers, Rate Counsel negotiates with utilities and attempts to settle as many issues as possible without or before going to a contested hearing. Rate Counsel also plays an active role in policy making at the state and federal level. In addition, Rate Counsel also offers several publications for consumers that help inform them of their rights with utilities, and offers ways to save on their energy bills. Two key Rate Counsel consumer publications include the: Consumer Assistance Handbook and Consumer Conservation Handbook.
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  2. What is Rate Counsel's mission?
    The mission of Rate Counsel is to make sure that all classes of utility consumers receive safe, adequate and proper utility service at affordable rates that are just and nondiscriminatory.
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  3. Do Rate Counsel and the Board of Public Utilities have the same responsibilities?
    No, Rate Counsel is a separate and independent agency from the Board of Public Utilities. Rate Counsel makes recommendations to the Board of Public Utilities on behalf of consumers and participates in rate-affecting hearings, proceedings, and Board working groups.
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  4. What do I do if I have a complaint against my utility?
    If you have a problem with a utility, you should first make the utility aware of your complaint and give them an opportunity to address your concerns. If you are not satisfied with the utility’s decision, you should file a complaint with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the regulating state agency responsible for handling utility complaints.

    You can call the Utility Complaints Division of the BPU at:
    1-800-624-0241 or go to the BPU’s website and file online at http://www.bpu.state.nj.us/ 

    To mail a written complaint, write to:

    New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
    Division of Customer Relations
    2 Gateway Center
    Newark, New Jersey 07102

    For additional details, please see rate Counsel’s website:
    HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT

    Rate Counsel does not represent individual customers, provide individual legal advice or process consumer complaints; however, we respond to all inquiries by providing useful information and directing you to the appropriate agency.

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  5. How can I use conservation to reduce utility bills?
    Energy conservation can help a great deal in reducing your utility bill. Even making a few simple adjustments at your home like using energy-conserving products and unplugging any unused appliances or electronic products can really make a difference. Rate Counsel offers a Consumer Conservation Handbook filled with tips about how you can save money by being energy smart. The handbook can be obtained by calling Rate Counsel at 973-648-2690 or downloading it from our website under “publications” in the Consumer Information section for additional ideas on conservation. 
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  6. What are my rights as a consumer of utilities and service?
    Please review Rate Counsel’s web site under the Consumer Information section for our publication,Consumer Assistance Handbook  that provides details about your rights and privileges as a ratepayer.
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  7. What if I need help with paying my utility bills?
    There are several resources available to help with paying for your utility bills. Please check Rate Counsel’s website for a fact sheet on financial assistance programs to help pay for energy bills.
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  8. What are municipal utilities and are they an area of responsibility for Rate Counsel?
    Municipal utilities are those utilities that are generally managed by a town, city, or governmental authority and are not regulated by the Board of Public Utilities. However, there are some municipal utilities whose customers do fall under the Board of Public Utilities regulation. For these special cases, Rate Counsel does intervene for consumers in rate proceedings.
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  9. How can I get energy tax credits?
    Consumers are eligible for certain energy tax credits. For more information on energy tax credits, consult with a tax expert. You can also find information at:

    www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154657,00.html or
    http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2654#taxcredit_intro

     

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