Handlin and Casagrande Join JCP&L Rate Hike Opposition

Two Monmouth County Assemblywomen are standing up against a proposed hike from Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) with a petition and public hearing 

According to a press release, Assemblywomen Amy H. Handlin and Caroline Casagrande have collected hundreds of signatures objecting to a rate hike proposed by JCP&L, which began public hearings on Monday.

JCP&L is still looking to pay for Hurricane Irene damages and clean-up, to the tune of $31 million.

Since Irene, New Jersey has suffered a larger hurricane and a nor'easter. At one point during Hurricane Sandy this year, the entirety of Marlboro was without power.

“Our constituents are tired of over promises and underperformances by their electric company and we’re going to make sure their voices are heard until JCP&L pulls the plug on this rate hike,” Handlin said in a press release. “JCP&L’s customers have already paid the price by suffering through prolonged outages, so our response to their request is a simple and firm, ‘No.’”

Marlboro Township filed an official motion to intervene in the Board of Public Utilities hearing of the rate hike, in an effort to remain in the conversation and voice the township's concerns publicly.

So far, over 1,300 signatures opposing the rate hike have been collected. The press release explained that the main reason for the opposition to the hike came from the company’s poor performance in restoring power and keeping families, businesses and communities informed during prolonged outages like during Hurricanes Sandy and Irene.

“Losing power for extended periods of time is a very difficult and costly burden for families and businesses,” said Casagrande in a press release. “We have had more than our share of severe outages because JCP&L refused to invest its corporate profits to update its infrastructure and keep the power on in our communities.”

The Monmouth County legislators plan to submit the petitions at the Board of Public Utilities’ April 24 public hearing on the rate proposal in the Freehold Township Municipal Building. The petition can be signed at: www.tinyurl.com/norateincrease.