Coronavirus and Your NJ Utility Bills
The Coronavirus (or Covid-19) outbreak news over this weekend has left many working New Jersey families wondering what’s going to happen in the wake of schools and many businesses closing. Folks want to know how they’ll make ends meet if they take sick leave or must stay home to look after children who aren’t in school. They’re also worrying how they’ll afford their New Jersey energy bills at the end of the month.
Because we here at [company] monitor the news about New Jersey energy prices and regulations, we’re going to stay on top this story to help our customers stay informed and ready.
Covid-19 Energy Service Disconnections
On March 13, 2020, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced state’s public electric and gas utilities have universally agreed to suspend service shutoffs. The following New Jersey electric and natural gas utilities made announcements about their shut-off moratoriums and late fees:
- PSEG has stopped all disconnections for nonpayment to provide customers with extra time to pay their electric and natural gas bills. For more information, contact customer support .
- Elizabethtown Gas said they are suspending service disconnections for non-payment. It urges its customers having trouble with bill to check out their energy assistance programs.
- New Jersey Natural GAs (NJNG) announced they have suspended nonpayment shut offs. They have also waived late payment fees for “at least the next 30 days (through April 15, 2020).
- Atlantic City Electric (an Exelon Company) are suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment fees through at least May 1.
- Jersey Central Power & Light (a First Energy Company) announced on Friday, March 13 that they are discontinuing power shutoffs for customers who are past due on their electric bills. Customers who face hardship paying their bill should contact their local First Energy Utility customer service to set up a payment plan.
- Rockland Electric Company (RECO) announced they will not shut off electric or natural gas servicedue to nonpayment resulting from the health crisis. RECO is waiving new late-payment charges for all customers. They are also suspending the fee charged to customers unable to grant access to their property.
Because this situation can change daily, customers should contact their local electricity utility to find out more about arranging late policy payments during the Coronavirus crisis.
We will post updates about late fee and disconnection moratoriums for New Jersey customers as we learn more.
Supplier Updates
- Constellation Energy (an Exelon Company) has announced in an email they are suspending disconnects and new late fees for natural gas and electricity service customers in NJ until May 1, 2020. They are also offering deferred payment plans for customers that are being directly impacted. Customers needing assistance contact customer assistance.
Coronavirus Stay Safe in New Jersey
We want all our customers to stay healthy and safe during this outbreak. To learn more about what you and your family can do, check out the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. To learn more about the situation in New Jersey visit the state Department of Health.