About NJUSA

The New Jersey Utility Shareholders Association (NJUSA) is a new nonprofit membership organization for the retail shareholders of New Jersey investor-owned utilities who reside in New Jersey and have an interest in public policy issues that affect utilities and their shareholders.

Mission

The mission of NJUSA is to serve and represent the interests of the retail shareholders of investor-owned public utilities operating in the State of New Jersey, including being a conduit through which member shareholders can be informed about and participate in the legislative and regulatory processes on matters affecting utilities.

NJUSA Structure

The activities of NJUSA are overseen by a volunteer board of directors consisting of NJUSA shareholder members and are managed by an experienced association executive.

Why Have an Association for Utility Shareholders?

The regulation of investor-owned utilities in New Jersey has existed for more than 100 years. By state law, utility regulation is intended to ensure that utilities provide “safe, adequate and proper service at reasonable rates.” That regulation is performed by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

When utility service was in its infancy, it was a wonder of modern technology. People sought and embraced the new services that enabled the delivery of clean water, sanitary human waste disposal, electric and gas lighting and heat. Public health and well-being were improved significantly through the services utilities provided.

The enhancement of public health and well-being continues and is done so well and routinely that it is taken for granted. Few New Jerseyans remember reading by candlelight, cooking and heating by wood-burning stoves or, in densely populated urban areas, having human waste flowing down public streets. What once were modern marvels have become basic necessities, with continuous utility service assumed, but with little understanding of what is involved to deliver the service, including the costs and the role shareholders play in making funds available to provide it.

Because of the critical importance of utility service to daily life – including the lives of shareholders who are also customers – through its members, NJUSA is in the unique position to help others understand:

• what it costs to provide utility service;

• what is covered by those costs;

• the role shareholders play in supporting current and future operations;

• what customer rates cover and why they are required to pay; and

• the value of the services provided.

Utility shareholders play an important part in ensuring that utilities have the financial resources to allow them to continue to provide safe and reliable service. If they are going to continue to play that role, shareholders must receive a fair return on their investments; otherwise they will invest in other more attractive options. The role of shareholders has not been well understood in the public policy arena. Through the members of NJUSA, public policy decisions can be better informed about the role utility investors play in ensuring safe and reliable utility service – now and in the future.