Only 2 Attend PSE&G Storm Rate Hike Hearing

Only two people turned out for a hearing to reimburse New Jersey’s largest utility for restoring service after five storms from 2010 through Sandy in 2012.

Public Service Electric & Gas is seeking to pass along to ratepayers more than $240 million worth of repairs.

The Record newspaper reports Joseph Oettinger told the Board of Public Utilities in Hackensack Monday that he doesn’t think PSE&G is managing its resources as well as the utility used to.

Marilyn Yancy told the panel a rate increase would be horrible because she’s a senior citizen on a fixed income.

Additional hearings will take place Tuesday in New Brunswick and Thursday in Mount Holly.

The utility has yet to say how much it would need to raise rates to offset the costs.