Energy Deregulation in New Jersey
In the late 1990s, the state of New Jersey decided to implement energy deregulation to allow its residents to choose a supplier of electricity or gas that is within their budget. The state looked at examples from other states who had deregulated and initially set the price for electricity supply at half of the price before deregulation, giving plenty of room for competition to emerge.
Under the deregulation laws in the state, the supply portion of a consumerās electric bill is separate from the delivery portion. This means that customers can shop around for a better price on energy supplies. The electric and natural gas distributors still deliver the supply through their respective wires and pipes, regardless of where the stores are purchased from. Plus, the utility companies are still responsible for responding to outages and emergencies, regardless of who the supplier is.Ā
Even today, only about 20 percent of the population in New Jersey gets their power from retailers. The retailers all get their supply from the stateās utility provider. The utility companies help maintain the power lines and deliver the power to residents and businesses in the state at a price that will be much more affordable and designed for your lifestyle.
Officials in New Jersey are still trying to find ways to encourage their residents to switch to retail suppliers of power.Ā
Quick Facts about Energy in New Jersey
- New Jersey is home to the Oldest Nuclear Power Plant. The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, which started operating in 1969, is currently the oldest nuclear power plant in the US and is located in New Jersey.
- Imports Natural Gas. New Jersey lacks fossil fuels, and so they ship their natural gas from Pennsylvania through pipelines and they get their coal supply from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
- Reformulated gasoline. The state of New Jersey requires residents to use a special kind of gasoline mixed with ethanol to help lessen greenhouse gasses.
- Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) member. As part of the RGGI, New Jersey, together with the other members, NJ is capping greenhouse gas emissions as best they can.
- Automobile fuel economy standard. Just like California, New Jersey has implemented a standard on fuel efficiency for new vehicles. This is to ensure that vehicles will not contribute significantly to gas emissions.
Energy Providers in New Jersey
PSEG
PSEG, otherwise known as the Public Service Electric and Gas Company, was established in 1903 in New Jersey. They are responsible for providing gas and electricity to the six largest cities in the state. Find a nearby customer service located here.
Address: 651 Main Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055
Contact: Ā (800) 436-7734
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Jersey Central Power and Light
Jersey Central Power and Light if you are a resident of the northwestern and eastern part of New Jersey, then chances are you get your power from JCP&L. as they are the main provider of electricity in those areas.
Address: 300 Main St, Allenhurst, NJ 07711
Contact: 1-800-662-3115
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Atlantic City Electric
Atlantic City Electric was established in 1924 and services the southern part of New Jersey. Today they are serving almost 600,000 customers, and they continue to grow.
Address: 349 Hurffville Crosskeys, Turnersville, NJ 08012
Contact: (800) 642-3780
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Rockland Electric
Rockland Electric currently serves almost 62,000 residents of northern New Jersey. Before the deregulation in the state was in effect, the company was a full-service electricity company. Today, they mostly do transmission and distribution of power in the northern part of New Jersey.
Address: 1 Lethbridge Plaza, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Contact: (877) 434-4100
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South Jersey Gas
South Jersey Gas is responsible for distributing gas to residents and businesses located in the southern part of New Jersey.
Address: 142 S Main St, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Contact: (800) 766-9900
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New Jersey Natural Gas
New Jersey Natural Gas is a trusted distributor of natural gas to residents and businesses in the mid-coast area of New Jersey area.
Address: 1415 Wyckoff Rd, Wall Township, NJ 07719
Contact: (800) 221-0051
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Map of US Energy Deregulation
New Jersey is one of 26 US StatesĀ that have some form of energy deregulation whether it be electricity, natural gas or both. Use our interactive map to get more information on deregulated energy states in America.