Letter to the Editor: Wait for BPU to Finish Proceedings Before Support of PSE&G Proposal

In response to a resolution on the Township Council agenda for the April 23 meeting to support PSE&G's "Energy Strong" proposal, 31-year-old resident wrote the following letter to the editor opposing support:

I have resided at 527 Hillside Terrace, West Orange for the past 31 years. In addition to this, I have served as the Executive Director of New Jersey Citizen Action, the state's largest consumer watchdog coalition since 1986. NJCA is an organization with a membership of over 60,000 families statewide and over 120 organizational affiliates that has worked on utility issues since it was established in 1983. We are opposed to the PSE&G's Energy Strong Program and believe that the West Orange Council has acted in haste regarding the passage of the resolution supporting this program.

As elected officials the Mayor and Council must protect consumers against excessive rate increases, excessive utility profits and against spending money on projects that are not cost effective. Before supporting any rate increase we would expect our elected representatives - no matter who they are - to carefully examine the evidence before accepting the company story (and promises) hook, line and sinker. The resolution is as premature this week as it was last week. 

While I understand that you have had the "opportunity" to see PSE&G's full presentation, absolutely NO ONE - including the Mayor or the Council of ANY municipality- has seen the evidence as to whether or not what the company is saying is actually factual. That is why the Board of Public Utilities found their presentation and petition to be deficient.

No one is arguing against the need to harden and improve our system. But as taxpayers we have the right to expect our elected officials to stand by a process that is fair, open, and transparent before jumping on board a program that will cost a ton of money, has not been independently evaluated to determine if it will actually get the job done or is in the best interest of residents, taxpayers and voters. 

I am very proud about how my Township of West Orange responded to the Hurricane Sandy. But the bottom line is that you are acting in haste in the passage of a resolution to support billions of dollars going to a utility company that has yet to open their books and participate in a transparent process and evaluation. You should wait until the BPU completes its proceeding before supporting PSE&G's Energy Strong Proposal.

As always, New Jersey Citizen welcomes the opportunity to discuss this matter with the Mayor and Council.

Sincerely,

Phyllis  Salowe-Kaye