Be in the Know:  Issues that Matter to Shareholders… and Affect Everyone

Understanding the Push for “Clean” Energy
“Clean” energy, as the term is often used in public policy parlance, is energy which is produced and/or used with no contribution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to the environment.

NJ Utility Regulatory Terms
Definitions of commonly used NJ utility regulatory terms.

Aging Utility Infrastructure
Across the country, discussions continue to take place on the best ways to address America’s aging infrastructure. Government organizations and agencies – from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation to state and local governments to investor-owned utility companies – have theorized ways to solve the problem that is plaguing America’s critical infrastructure.

The Value of Water
Delivering safe and reliable drinking water is one of the most important services that can be provided to New Jerseyans. Of all utility services, water is the only one that is consumed. No one can live without safe drinking water.

Utilities 101: Fundamentals of Utility Rate Setting
Most utility customers’ experiences with the complex process of rate making is limited to paying their bill. However, understanding how and why utility services are regulated can help to understand what is involved in setting rates customers are expected to pay. It can also help utility investors better understand how rate decisions can affect the value of utility stocks.

What is a “Rate Case?”
A rate case is a formal proceeding whereby a utility gives evidence to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) of its prudent and efficient use of resources in providing utility services to properly set future rates. With procedures similar to a court case, with witnesses and testimony, the BPU makes all final determinations about rates.

The Debate over Distributed (Electric) Generation
Distributed Generation (DG) is the production of electricity on a decentralized – rather than via the traditional centralized – basis. One example of DG in New Jersey is rooftop solar installed by residents and businesses. Those systems make electricity when the sun shines, instead of using electricity from the utility.

NJUSA Issue Summary: Consolidated Tax Adjustment
To what extent should New Jersey ratepayers receive the benefit of a utility’s parent company’s decision to file federal taxes on a consolidated basis?

What to Know and Do in the Event of a Power Outage
Even as millions of dollars have and will continue to be spent to make the electric grid more resilient, it is not possible to guarantee that there will never again be any power outages. Mother nature cannot be perfectly predicted, controlled or avoided. When severe weather delivers high winds, side-blowing rain or heavy snow or ice, downed trees and branches can be expected, and those trees can hit and compromise utility wires and poles.

Prepare Before the Storm Hits
For safety and sanity’s sake, ensure you’re prepared for power outages with these important tips from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Know What’s Below—Call Before You Dig
Every hour, more than six hits to buried utilities occur because someone decided to dig without first calling 811. Across New Jersey, utility services that everyone depends on, such as electric, gas, water, sewer, cable TV, high-speed Internet, and landline telephone are buried underground. Striking one of these lines can result in electrocution, gas explosions, water or sewer line flooding with personal injury, inconvenient outages for entire neighborhoods and potentially major repair costs to you, your utility company and your neighbors.

Utility Rate Case Decisions Affect Shareholders as well as Ratepayers
New Jersey’s investor-owned utilities have a long list of priorities. Maintaining and growing shareholder value is on the list. However, meeting that goal is usually only possible if the demands of other priorities are met.