The recent proposal for a Jersey Central Power and Light rate hike has raised the concerns of the 10th District legislators who oppose this increase to its customers. Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin expressed their concerns over the crippling effects this increase will have on their constituents, particularly senior citizens.

Holzapfel, Wolfe and McGuckin expressed concerns over the crippling effects a proposed JCP&L rate increase will have on their constituents. (Flickr)

“Many of the constituents in our district, primarily senior citizens, who live on fixed incomes will feel the devastating effects of this proposed rate hike,” said Holzapfel. “This will create another unnecessary financial burden for those struggling to make ends meet.”

We're concerned about the crippling effects JCP&L's proposed rate increase will have on our constituents https://t.co/5HiPOnLAB5

— Sen. Jim Holzapfel (@jimholzapfel) May 6, 2016

According to JCP&L, which has over a million customers in New Jersey, the rate increase would raise $142 million to maintain and build service reliability and customer service improvements. But this rate increase will raise a customers’ bill at an average of $5.58 or 6 percent each month. If approved, the new rates would take effect on Jan. 31, 2017.

“This increase would charge customers 6% more for the same usage thus taking away and drastically limiting the customer’s ability to control the cost of their bill. Service reliability and customer service improvements have not been JCP&L’s priority for the last decade especially in our district. We fail to see how a rate hike at this time would improve these areas,” continued McGuckin.

This is the second proposed rate increase by a utility company in less than two months. New Jersey Natural Gas announced their plans to increase customer gas bills by 24 percent for necessary infrastructure improvements including a gas pipeline.

“This is a troubling issue for our residents and with the recent New Jersey Natural Gas proposed rate increase we will continue to fight for our constituents,” added Wolfe. “We hope that the Board of Public Utilities once again denies the request and ensure that JCP&L will not receive more than they are entitled to.”