Folsom,
NJ – South Jersey
Gas today received approval from the New Jersey Board of
Public Utilities for an increase to its Basic Gas Supply
Service rate. The BGSS clause serves as a method to pass
along increases and decreases in wholesale gas costs to customers.
As South Jersey Gas makes no profit on the sale of the natural
gas commodity itself, it likewise will make no profit from
this rate adjustment.
SJG will increase its BGSS rate by 9.2% which translates
into an annual increase of approximately $141.30 to an average
residential customer’s bill. Although this rate adjustment
is an increase, it is a reduction from SJG’s original
request to the NJBPU for an 18.2% increase made in June 2008.
“Since the spring of 2008, when we prepared our original
request to the NJBPU, we have seen significant decreases
in wholesale gas prices. We are pleased to reflect these
lower prices in the BGSS rates approved today,” stated
Edward J. Graham, SJG’s president.
“Because of our prudent purchasing practices and our
Conservation Incentive Program, we can shelter our customers
from the full impact of increased wholesale prices,” stated
Graham. “Even with this rate increase, natural gas
may cost up to 35% less than other heating sources,” Graham
added.
Graham continued, “we’ve worked closely with
our regulators throughout the filing process, and we’ve
shared their goal of minimizing the impact of rising energy
costs on our customers. We monitor natural gas prices daily
and continually work to identify opportunities to purchase
natural gas supplies at the lowest possible cost. We have
the ability to give our customers a credit if prices fall
and in such as case we will exercise this option as we have
in the past.”
During the past two years SJG has reduced its BGSS rate
to its customers, resulting in customer savings of $36.7
million. Also, since the inception of SJG’s Conservation
Incentive Program in October 2006, customers have saved $50
million through efficient use of natural gas.
South Jersey Gas and the Board of Public Utilities are emphasizing
the critical need for conservation and energy efficiency.
Conservation is an essential component in saving money on
energy bills. Using recommended conservation measures will
allow customers to remain comfortable in their homes and
save up to 30 percent on home heating bills.
South Jersey Gas and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
recommend the following energy and money saving tips:
• Use ceiling fans. Using ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling
fans can help cool your home without greatly increasing electricity
use. Ceiling fans also improve airflow and create pleasant
breezes. Make sure to turn them off when you are out of the
room.
• Use a programmable
thermostat. A home doesn’t
need to be chilled all day to be comfortable, so save energy
and money by installing an ENERGY STAR qualified, programmable
thermostat to regulate cooling and heating systems. Save
3 percent on energy costs for each degree you set your thermostat
higher than 72 degrees on your window unit or central air
conditioner.
• Light homes with
a cooler bulb. ENERGY STAR qualified
lighting produces 75 percent less heat, uses 75 percent less
energy and lasts up to 10 times longer than a standard incandescent
bulb. One ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light
bulb saves $65 and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by almost
700 pounds over its lifetime.
• Save up to 16
percent by using less hot water. Take short showers instead of baths, and lower your hot water
heater from 150 degrees to 120 degrees. You can also use
the BPU’s
Water Heater Calculator – found at www.NJCleanEnergy.com – to
learn how much you can save with an energy-efficient water
heater.
• Take a free online
Home Energy Analysis at www.NJCleanEnergy.com,
or call 1-866-NJSMART (1-866-657-6278). With just a few clicks
of your mouse, you will find specific energy-saving recommendations
customized to your lifestyle, energy usage and location.
There are a number of programs available for households
having trouble paying their utility bills. Call the numbers
associated with each program for further information, or
contact the NJBPU Division of Customer Assistance at 1-800-624-0241.
• Comfort Partners. This program is designed to improve
energy affordability through direct installation of free
energy efficiency measures and education about conservation
tips to save money. Recipients of these free services must
have income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty
Level, or can be enrolled in the Universal Service Fund Program,
the Lifeline Program and/or Pharmaceutical Assistance to
the Aged and Disabled. For more information on Comfort Partners,
please call 1-888-773-8326.
• Universal Service
Fund. The NJBPU created
the Universal Service Fund program to help make energy bills
more affordable for low-income customers (households with
an income at or below 175 percent Federal Poverty Level).
USF covers a portion of household energy bills for amounts
beyond 3 percent of annual gross household income for electricity
and gas. If a household heats with electricity, USF covers
the portion of the electric bill that is over 6 percent of
annual household income. USF credits are capped at $1,800
per household per year. First time USF enrollees with significant
arrearages also have an opportunity to earn forgiveness for
overdue balances that accrued prior to their enrollment in
USF. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs administers
the USF program. Applications are accepted at any time of
the year. For an application or more information on USF,
please visit www.energyassistance.nj.gov or call the USF
Hotline toll free at: 1-866-240-1347.
• Lifeline Program. Lifeline is a program that offers $225
to seniors and the disabled who meet the PAAD eligibility
requirements or who receive Supplemental Security Income.
This includes utility customers as well as tenants whose
utility bills are included in their rent. Lifeline benefits
are provided for only electricity and natural gas. Approximately
314,000 people received more than $70 million in Lifeline
benefits last year. Lifeline is administered by the Department
of Health and Senior Services. For more information on Lifeline,
please call 1-800-792-9745.
• NJ SHARES. NJ SHARES is a non-profit corporation organized
to provide assistance to individuals and families living
in New Jersey who are in need of temporary help in paying
their energy bills. To qualify for NJ SHARES, a person or
family must be facing a financial crisis and not be eligible
for welfare or energy assistance programs. Recipients must
also have a history of good-faith payments of their utility
bills. Upon approval, recipients may receive a one-time grant
of up to $700 for gas and $300 for electricity, or $700 for
an all-electric home. Please call NJ SHARES at 1-866-657-4273
or visit www.njshares.org.
To help manage natural gas bills and avoid
high spikes in winter heating season costs, SJG customers
can sign up for the Equal Payment Plan. For EPP customers
SJG divides their annual bill into 12 equal monthly payments,
with an adjustment or settle-up in the final month. “We urge all eligible
customers to take advantage of our free Equal Payment Plan,” Graham
said. “It is a great tool that allows customers to
know exactly how much their bill will be each month, and
helps them adjust their budgets accordingly.” SJG customers
can visit http://www.southjerseygas.com to enroll in the
Equal Payment Plan or contact the Customer Care Center at
888-766-9900.
South Jersey Gas is the principal subsidiary of South Jersey
Industries (NYSE:SJI) and provides natural gas service to
over 335,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers
in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and significant
portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties in
New Jersey. Visit http://www.sjindustries.com to learn more
about South Jersey Gas and its programs.
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