Berkeley Opposes Natural Gas Rate Hike Over Concern For Seniors

BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township Council adopted an ordinance Monday opposing the New Jersey Natural Gas’ proposed 25 percent increase in rates.

Mayor Carmen Amato said the proposed rate increase would raise an average monthly bill to $141.17, up $28.07 or 24.8 percent for a customer who uses 100 therms a month.

In a statement provided to Patch, Amato called the proposed increase "outrageous" to impose on senior citizens with fixed incomes and hard working families during a pandemic.

"Six years ago they proposed a 24 percent increase in rates. Just three short years ago, they proposed another 19 percent increase in rates. To be back so soon for another large increase is totally unacceptable," Amato said.

Council President Angelo Guadagno also criticized the NJNG's hike in rates.

"When I learned of the proposed increase I was quite frankly shocked," Guadagno said. "Our seniors and families are having a tough time as it is. To add this ill-timed increase is unconscionable."

In 2015, Amato attended a public hearing in Freehold with Councilman John Bacchione to testify against the proposed increase.

Amato will attend the next public hearing on the proposed 25 percent increase when a date is set.

"The proposed increase would create an undue financial hardship on our homeowners. Especially our senior citizens who struggle on a daily basis to make ends meet," Amato said. "I am calling on the executives of NJNG to sharpen their pencils and rethink this excessive and unreasonable increase.”

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