South Jersey Gas Files Rate Case with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
January 27 2017 - 4:14PM
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
South Jersey Gas
Files Rate Case with the New Jersey Board of Public
Utilities
Infrastructure
investments and upgrades ensure customers receive safe, dependable
natural gas service
FOLSOM, N.J., January 27,
2017 - South Jersey Gas, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries,
Inc. (NYSE: SJI), today filed a petition with the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities (NJBPU) requesting an increase of approximately
$75 million to its base rates to recognize the infrastructure
investments made to maintain the safety and reliability of its
natural gas delivery system. This filing is its first since
2013.
This case is necessary due to the significant
investments South Jersey Gas made in improving its system.
They include investments in the replacement of aging mains, the
installation of new mains to meet growing demand, and expenditures
to ensure compliance with state and federal system integrity and
safety regulations. Since its last base rate case, the
company will have invested approximately $518 million in system
improvements that are not currently reflected in base
rates.
While the company is requesting to recover these
system enhancing investments through a proposed base rate increase,
it is important to note that, since its last base rate case was
approved in 2014, South Jersey Gas has lowered rates 14.3
percent. An additional $30 million in Basic Gas Supply
Service (BGSS) bill credits were provided in 2016, resulting in the
average residential customer receiving credits totaling $86.
These reductions have produced average annual natural gas bills for
customers at levels that are below those seen 15 years
ago.
"Investing in improvements to our infrastructure
allows us to continue safely delivering a dependable supply of
natural gas vital to heating customers' homes and operating their
businesses. These investments ensure we can meet customer
needs while supporting southern New Jersey's growing population and
economy," said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. "The
improvements were also critical to supporting the goals of the New
Jersey Energy Master Plan. Those goals include expanding natural
gas infrastructure, using natural gas as a transportation fuel, and
substituting clean-burning, more affordable natural gas for other
fuels in the residential and commercial sectors," said Robbins.
"We understand a rate increase affects customers,
especially those on fixed incomes," added Robbins.
"Cost-saving measures are in place to help minimize or avoid
increases, and we manage our natural gas supply portfolio
responsibly to take advantage of declining wholesale natural gas
prices for customers."
The amount customers will pay as a result of this
request will depend on the quantity of natural gas they use and the
level of increase ultimately approved by the NJBPU. Should
the full amount requested be approved, a typical residential
heating customer using 100 therms of natural gas in a month would
pay about $20.28 more per month.
Customers who have difficulty paying their bills
should contact the South Jersey Gas Customer Care Center at
1-888-766-9900 to learn more about the Equal Payment Plan and
assistance programs for which they qualify. Assistance
programs include the PAGE/TRUE programs, NJ SHARES, Home Energy
Assistance Program, New Jersey Comfort Partners Program, Universal
Service Fund, and Lifeline.
Customers can also access valuable savings
information on the South Jersey Gas website, including energy
audits and energy efficiency tips. These options can help
reduce energy use and costs while still retaining comfort.
Visit www.southjerseygas.com to learn more.
About South Jersey Gas
South Jersey Gas, subsidiary of South Jersey
Industries (NYSE:SJI), delivers safe, reliable natural gas and
promotes energy efficiency to approximately 375,000 residential,
commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May,
Cumberland, Salem, and portions of Gloucester, Burlington and
Camden counties in New Jersey. Visit www.southjerseygas.com to
learn more about South Jersey Gas and its programs.
TELEPHONE: 609-561-9000
Media Contact: Barbara Del Duke x4108,
bdelduke@sjindustries.com
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information contained therein.
Source: South Jersey Industries via Globenewswire
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