Date Set For Hearing On Rising Electric Bills In South Jersey

MAYS LANDING, NJ — Rep. Jeff Van Drew's promised field hearing on rising electric bills in his district has officially been set for Oct. 8 at 3:30 p.m. at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology Performing Arts Center in Mays Landing.

Titled "An Examination into Surging Power Bills in South Jersey," the hearing will feature Van Drew himself along with other congressmembers:

• Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
• Congressman Mark Alford (MO-4)
• Congressman Ben Cline (VA-6)

According to Van Drew:

This hearing of Members of Congress will bring together community leaders and energy policy experts to determine the causes of these surging power bills. This hearing will also review local, state, and national energy policy with Members of Congress from across the country participating.

There will also be several witnesses, including Little Egg Harbor Mayor Blaise Scibetta, New Jersey Farm Bureau President Allen Carter, Garden State Initiative President Audrey Lane and more to be added. A presentation will be given by local meteorologist Nick "Nor'easter" Pittman.

Atlantic City Electric, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and New Jersey Ratepayer Advocate have all been invited.

Van Drew previously said he was investigating the matter after he received data from "thousands" of residents, indicating that energy bills have sometimes tripled in comparison to the same time last year. Read more: Seen Skyrocketing Electric Bills In South Jersey? Van Drew Investigating

More than 50,000 have signed a petition demanding "transparency and accountability" from Atlantic City Electric with regards to the rising costs.

This will be livestreamed, with a link coming soon. Those attending in-person are asked to RSVP here.