TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Paul Sarlo which requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to issue all orders in writing, and to post those orders on the Internet, was signed into law today.
“In government, as in all things, knowledge is power,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “When it comes to BPU decisions which have the potential to affect ratepayers’ utility costs, these decisions should be in writing, and should be easily accessible on the Internet. This new law will ensure that New Jerseyans have transparency when it comes to the regulatory process followed by the State’s utility overseers.”
“The cost of utilities is one of the main cost drivers contributing to the high cost of living in New Jersey,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “At a time when utility ratepayers are struggling, and with information so easily available on the Internet, there’s simply no reason why we wouldn’t require BPU orders to be posted on the World Wide Web. Through this legislation, we’re bringing rate regulation into the 21st century, and allowing New Jersey residents to access the information they need to know about their home utility bills.”