Governor Signs Pou, Greenstein Bill Increasing Penalties for ‘Energy Slamming’

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nellie Pou and Senator Linda Greenstein which increases civil penalties for “energy slamming” practices, was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy today.

“Today is an important day for energy consumers all over New Jersey,” said Senator Pou (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Standing between consumers and illegal, predatory providers is exactly what we should be doing. We can’t guarantee that no one will break the law, but we can make sure they are properly dissuaded from attempting to in the first place and punished if they do.”

“Companies that illegally acquire information about consumers and then go door to door with the intent to defraud them on their energy bills, must to be met with severe consequences,” said Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Fraud is a serious offense and this law will make perpetrators of energy slamming rethink their nefarious methods.”

The law will see civil penalties increase from $10,000 for the first offense to $20,000. It will also increase the second from $25,000 to up to $50,000 for each subsequent offense.