VAN DREW: PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S BRIEF OPPOSING A.C. ELECTRIC RATE HIKE SHOWS OFFICE'S VALUE

VAN DREW: PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S BRIEF OPPOSING
A.C. ELECTRIC RATE HIKE SHOWS OFFICE'S VALUE
Watchdog's Engagement on Behalf of South Jersey Ratepayers
Casts Harsh Light On Asselta's Vote Against Pro-Consumer Office

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew today said state Public Advocate Ronald Chen's decision to intercede on behalf of South Jersey ratepayers against Atlantic City Electric's attempt to make customers shoulder the burden of bailing the company out of a $90 million hole exemplifies why he supported legislation to recreate the post of the "People's Lawyer."

"Having the Public Advocate enter the fight on the side of South Jersey's ratepayers shows precisely why we needed a strong public interest watchdog at the highest levels of state government," said Van Drew. "After a decade that saw billions of dollars wasted through the Whitman administration's E-Z Pass and Parsons inspection scandals, consumers needed a strong figure sitting next to the Governor and standing up for their interests."

Van Drew supported legislation (A-1424) in 2005 that reestablished the Office Public Advocate to serve as a cabinet-level watchdog to protect the public interest and fight on behalf of the state's consumers; the office had previously been abolished under Governor Christie Whitman in 1994. In contrast, Senator Nick Asselta voted against the bill on the floor of the Senate. Asselta also abstained on the measure when it went before the Senate State Government Committee.

In his brief -- filed with the Board of Public Utilities -- Chen argued against allowing Atlantic City Electric to increase rates to recoup losses stemming from the utility's 2000 sale of its nuclear generating interests. Chen said the proposed rate hike would cost South Jersey ratepayers more than $91 million over ten years.

"With the Public Advocate's actions, consumers now know that their fight for fairness and affordability is Trenton's fight," said Van Drew. "It is a fight that, two years later, South Jersey's ratepayers are still waiting for Nick Asselta to join."