By KENNY WALTER
Staff Writer
Jersey Central Power and Lighting (JCP&L) has requested a $142 million rate increase that, if approved, would result in a 6 percent overall rate increase for the average JCP&L residential customer using 650 kilowatt hours per month, which would equate to a monthly increase of $5.58.
JCP&L filed an electric rate plan with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) on April 28 that the company said in a press release will benefit customers by sustaining ongoing tree trimming, inspections of lines, poles and substations, and maintenance for newly installed equipment that enhances and modernizes the electric system.
“While JCP&L’s rates have remained stable and even declined over the past decade, the cost of providing reliable electric service has increased,” said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. “It’s our job to provide dependable electricity to our growing customer base for their homes, businesses and communities, and this rate plan will help us deliver on this commitment.”
According to the press release, recent initiatives have significantly improved service in New Jersey, including a 33 percent reduction in system outage duration and a 19 percent improvement in customer restoration times. In addition, the utility’s tree trimming and vegetation management programs have reduced tree-related outages more than 38 percent.
The filing was made in compliance with a BPU order issued last year in the company’s 2012 rate case. The public is invited to comment on the filing through the BPU’s public comment process, and JCP&L will participate in public meetings about the plan. The company has requested that the new rates be effective Jan. 31, 2017.
JCP&L, a FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary, serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.