New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) provides natural gas distribution services to over 500,100 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ocean and Monmouth counties, as well as parts of Morris and Burlington counties. NJNG is wholly owned by publicly traded regional utility New Jersey Resources.
The company has recently been a focus of the energy deregulation process in New Jersey and continues to invest in improving its infrastructure. One of the ways NJNG does this is by exploring renewable natural gas production through landfill and wastewater treatment plant sites.
Costs
Among the most pressing issues facing New Jerseyans is how much it will cost to heat their homes with natural gas this winter. As a result, the state has stepped up its effort to help customers pay their utility bills.
The state’s Rate Counsel Brian Lipman has urged lawmakers to expand a program that helps people with low incomes pay their utility bills. That is especially important because the recent rise in natural gas prices will put a lot more strain on fixed-income households.
He said the increase in rates approved by state regulators earlier this month will result in customers paying as much as $31 more per month for natural gas. The spike is due to a 200% increase in gas prices, and world events and increased demand have led to significant volatility in the markets.
The rate hikes were approved on a provisional basis, meaning customers will get refunds if gas prices drop. However, there’s no guarantee that prices will fall as the winter begins.
Energy Efficiency
New Jersey’s energy efficiency programs help customers save money on their energy bills, create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Combined with its renewable energy goals, these efforts propel the Garden State to the forefront of the sustainable energy movement.
The NJ Clean Energy Program promotes energy efficiency and renewable resources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and combined heat and power (CHP). It also offers education, outreach and financial incentives to residential, commercial businesses and industry, schools and governmental customers.
The State of New Jersey’s Office of Clean Energy Equity works to make renewable energy more accessible to low- and moderate-income households through its Comfort Partners program. Its Universal Service Fund (USF) is designed to help low-income customers pay no more than six percent of their income toward natural gas and electric bills.
Safety
New Jersey’s natural gas distribution and end-use sectors support nearly 80 thousand jobs, providing affordable energy and economic security to residents. And it’s a clean energy source that contributes to lower carbon emissions and helps the nation achieve its climate goals.
Pipeline safety is a top priority for our state, but as the Garden State’s infrastructure ages, there are risks. Even without construction-related damage, old cast iron pipelines can leak and crack, leading to dangerous explosions.
While many of these leaks are harmless, they can cause serious consequences if they’re not found and repaired quickly. That’s why we investigate suspected pipeline leaks 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To address leaks, South Jersey Gas will use modern, vehicle-based advanced leak detection technology and data analytics. This allows the utility to find and measure methane leaks in its pipelines more quickly than traditional survey methods. This will help the utility prioritize replacing leak-prone pipes in areas where residents and businesses are most vulnerable to leaks, reducing pollution and giving people cleaner air to breathe.
Environment
New Jersey’s natural gas industry is an important part of our state’s energy future. It supports nearly 80 thousand jobs across the state, from production to end uses like manufacturing.
Natural gas produces less greenhouse gas emissions than coal, oil and other fossil fuels. It is an energy that can support the decarbonization of our state’s economy as it prepares to transition to renewable energy sources.
It also offers an opportunity to create clean and reliable energy for our homes and businesses by partnering with other energy companies to supply the fuel. That means lower energy bills for our customers and less pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels.
This month, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee unanimously approved a bill that would expand the use of renewable natural gas in New Jersey’s goal to reach 100% clean energy by 2050. But opponents say the bill will lock ratepayers into paying billions of dollars in unnecessary investments to upgrade pipelines and other infrastructure.
Hi, I’m David. I’m an author of ManagEnergy.tv where we teach people how to save energy and money in their homes and businesses.
I’ve been a writer for most of my life and have always been interested in helping people learn new things. When I was younger, I would write short stories for my classmates and teach them how to do math problems.
I love traveling and have been lucky enough to visit some fantastic places around the world.
