State lawmakers representing Ocean County are calling on regulators to reject Jersey Central Power & Light’s proposed 8.8% increase for residential customers, arguing that higher utility costs would place additional financial pressure on ratepayers.

Senator Carmen Amato and Assemblymen Brian Rumpf and Gregory Myhre, whose district includes Manchester, sent a letter to New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Ben Hertz-Shargel urging the BPU to “immediately and outright reject” JCP&L’s proposed rate increase.

JCP&L, which serves approximately 1.2 million customers across 13 New Jersey counties, filed its rate proposal with the BPU on August 7. The company has proposed a $253 million increase in base distribution rates while using offsets to prevent residential customers from experiencing the impact of those higher rates during 2027.

If approved, the residential bill impact would begin in January 2028. JCP&L estimates the typical residential customer using 767 kilowatt-hours per month would see an increase of approximately $14.23 per month, or $170.76 annually.

The proposed increase would come after the holiday season, the legislators noted in their letter.

“In representing the people of the 9th Legislative District, our Delegation is once again calling on the BPU and the Sherrill Administration to reject JCP&L’s proposed 8.8% electric rate increase,” the lawmakers wrote. “Such action would provide meaningful relief to struggling ratepayers and send a clear message that New Jersey residents cannot continue to be expected to absorb higher utility costs while rate increases are routinely approved in Trenton.”

JCP&L has said the proposed rates are needed to support continued investments in electric system reliability and to recover costs associated with storm restoration.

The utility is seeking recovery of $476 million in previously deferred storm costs through a separate charge beginning in January 2028. The company has proposed spreading that recovery over 10 years.

JCP&L also says the filing would support an additional $2.1 billion in base distribution investments as part of a broader five-year, $6.9 billion capital plan. The investments would include grid modernization, transmission upgrades, expanded remote monitoring and control capabilities, and additional vegetation management.

The company reported that electric reliability improved 15% in 2025 compared with 2024 and has improved 38% so far this year.

The 9th District lawmakers, however, say additional measures are needed to help residents cope with rising utility costs.

Amato, Rumpf and Myhre have introduced legislation that would allow New Jersey residents to claim a state income tax deduction for certain taxes and fees paid on residential electric and natural gas bills. The proposed deduction would apply specifically to sales taxes and societal benefit charges.

The BPU will review JCP&L’s filing before determining whether to approve, reject or modify the proposed rates.