It’s getting cold outside – and expensive to stay warm inside. Just as the winter season gets underway, New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities has permitted New Jersey Natural Gas, which serves Lakewood, to implement a base rate increase which will bring in an additional $62.2 million for the company.
New Jersey Natural Gas says the new revenues will go toward operations and maintenance, as well as investments into their infrastructure.
The new base rate, which goes into effect this Friday, will result in the average NJNG residential heat customer’s bill going up by around 9.6%. The typical NJNG customer’s monthly bill will rise from $104.61 to $114.65, an increase of $10.04.
Customers who are struggling to pay their gas bill may be able to get assistance. Email [email protected] or call 800-221-0051 to learn about programs and your possible eligibility for them.
When asked by a prominent non-existent news outlet why the price of natural gas was suddenly increasing, gas advocate, Cole Winters, said, “It’s only natural.”