Utility companies are entitled to a return on their investment. However, that return must be reasonable. And before utility companies seek to charge bill payers more money to harden the state’s energy system, it must be carefully examined what their previous revenues, dollars that were allocated for maintenance, were actually spent on. It certainly wasn’t for the tree-trimming that was promised.
So where did that money go? This is an important question that must be answered before additional rate increases- rate increases earmarked for system investments but which will actually result in significant risk-free profits for utility companies regardless of whether or not these investments improve service at all. AARP maintains that utility bill payers should only pay what is fair, and not a dime more.
Sandra Roth
AARP New Jersey Volunteer
