NEW JERSEY UTILITIES ASSOCIATION ON CRUZ-PEREZ LIHWAP LEGISLATION: ‘WE AND OUR MEMBERS FULLY SUPPORT THIS BILL’

Trenton — New Jersey Utilities Association (NJUA) President and Chief Executive Officer Rich Henning issued the following statement today regarding S333, legislation sponsored by Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, that would prohibit any utility from shutting off services if it does not participate in the federal Low Income Household Water Assistance program:

“NJUA believes strongly that utilities in our state should be participating in the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. Not only does it provide needed assistance for those having difficulty paying their bills but it would be foolish to risk federal dollars when so many are in arrearages.

“Senator Cruz-Perez’s legislation takes what we believe is now a necessary step in this process. We and our members fully support this bill and encourage all utilities in the state to support it as well. We have a responsibility to do everything we can when it comes to assisting customers in need with their bills and addressing the many millions in arrearages still outstanding.”

About NJUA

Founded in 1915, NJUA has provided a forum for the exchange of ideas and delivered a unified voice in the public policy arena for its members. NJUA’s 13-member utility companies are dedicated to the delivery of essential services to nearly 7 million residential customers and 1 million business and industrial customers across the Garden State. Most NJUA companies have been investing in New Jersey to serve customers better for more than a century. Not only do New Jersey’s utility companies help to maintain the reliability of the State’s critical infrastructure, they are the driving force behind the state’s economy and quality of life. For further information on NJUA, please visit www.njua.com or follow us on Twitter @NJUtilities.

###