[PETITION] Assembly Republicans Amy H. Handlin and Caroline Casagrande have collected hundreds of signatures objecting to a rate hike proposed by Jersey Central Power & Light, which began public hearings today.

“Our constituents are tired of over promises and underperformances by their electric company and we’re going to make sure their voices are heard until JCP&L pulls the plug on this rate hike,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “JCP&L’s customers have already paid the price by suffering through prolonged outages, so our response to their request is a simple and firm, ‘No.’”

Handlin and Casagrande gathered more than 1,300 signatures opposing the rate hike, particularly because of JCP&L’s poor performance in restoring power and keeping families, businesses and communities informed during prolonged outages – most notably Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. The petition also noted the allegation by the N.J. Division of Rate Counsel that the utility is earning too much profit from New Jersey ratepayers to send back to its parent company in Ohio.

“We can say it once, or we can say it a thousand times, the answer is still, ‘No,’” Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “Losing power for extended periods of time is a very difficult and costly burden for families and businesses. We have had more than our share of severe outages because JCP&L refused to invest its corporate profits to update its infrastructure and keep the power on in our communities.”

The Monmouth County legislators plan to submit the petitions at the Board orf Public Utilities’ April 24 public hearing on the rate proposal in the Freehold Township Municipal Building. The petition can be signed here.