Burlco Bits

BurlCo Freeholder Demands Explanation of Settlement

Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio has filed a public records request with the state seeking an explanation of its settlement with New Jersey American Water.

Hoping to find out why a judge has tentatively approved a $30 million rate increase for New Jersey American Water, Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio last week filed an Open Public Records (OPRA) request with the N.J. Division of Rate Counsel requesting a full accounting. “I want to find out how a financial expert’s opinion calling for a $46 million decrease in rates suddenly turned into a $30 million award in additional revenues,” said Garganio. “I think a $76 million swing is worthy of explanation.” Meantime, Garganio has reached out to Robert Hanna, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and demanded the proposed increase be taken up by the entire BPU in an open public session.   “We have a petition signed by 11,…

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Freeholders Declare Early Victory in Water Rate Fight

The New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel will seek a rate decrease of $45.8 million for New Jersey American Water, countering the utility's push for a 20 percent increase.

Burlington County freeholders declared a partial victory this week in their fight against New Jersey American Water’s (NJAW) rate hike, after learning the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel will counter by seeking an actual rate decrease. “Burlington County residents who have signed our petition, online or through the mail, have been heard,” said Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio. “Rate Counsel, which represents all utility customers in the state, will argue for an actual cut in water rates when hearings begin the end of March. “Obviously, we are still at the mercy of the Office of Administrative Law and the Board of Public Utilities, which ultimately decides who pays what,” he added. “So I encourage all our residents to add their names …

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Patch O' Green

Water Rate Hike Makes Waves, But the Real Surge is Yet to Come

The price of New Jersey American Water's services is set to jump 20 percent and the freeholders are peeved. But a survey of the industry puts this pricing trend on a slippery slope—up.

We do not know the value of water until we go dry. - Irish Proverb Actually, we know the value of water right now, and it's about to be 20 percent higher than it used to be if New Jersey American Water's rate increases go through. As Patch covered in January, the public utility filed a request through the state to increase revenues from rates to $95.5 million. The bump will increase the average home's monthly bill by $7.63. Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio has taken a stand on this issue. His aim is not just in protesting the price hike, but in holding New Jersey American Water (NJAW) accountable for notifying the public and more vociferously explaining the need for the price increase in the first place. As his letter …

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Burlco Bits

County Residents Given Chance to Say 'No' to Rate Hike

Burlington County has provided an online petition residents can sign to express their opposition to New Jersey American Water's proposed 20 percent rate hike.

Burlington County freeholders are giving residents a chance to have their voice be heard in the county’s fight against the 20 percent rate increase sought by New Jersey American Water (NJAW).   The county has created an online petition for residents to formally register their opposition. The petition not only expresses opposition to the rate increase, but also calls for another round of public hearings, with all ratepayers to be notified by mail of the dates, times and places of the hearings. Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said the law permits the company to provide such notices—but that it declined to do so. The petition reads:   We, the undersigned, call on New Jersey American Water to hold another round of public hearings in …

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