New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is a group that helps make sure people in New Jersey get important services like natural gas, electricity, water, phone service, and cable TV. Its job is to watch over the companies that provide these services and make sure they are safe, fair, and not too expensive for customers.

The NJBPU has five members who work on many important tasks. They protect people’s rights as customers, help change energy rules to save money and power, and make sure utility prices are fair. They also listen when people have problems with their utility services.

The Board also runs special programs to help New Jersey use more solar power and build wind farms off the coast. These efforts help the state use cleaner energy and protect the environment.

History

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, or NJBPU, began in 1910 as the Board of Public Utility Commissioners. Its job was to watch over important services like gas, electricity, water, and communications. It also looked after railroads and trade between states. Over time, the group changed names and where it belonged. In 1977, it joined the Department of Energy. That department closed in 1988. By 1991, its work moved to the Department of Environmental Protection and Energy. In 1994, it went back to its old name and place in the New Jersey Department of the Treasury.

Board members, called commissioners, serve for six years. They come from different political groups, with no more than three from the same side. The governor chooses one commissioner to lead the Board and work with them. Today, Christine Guhl-Sadovy leads the Board. Other members are Zenon Christodoulou, Marian Abdou, and Michael Bange. Many leaders have helped the Board keep services safe and fair for everyone.

Department of Environmental Protection and Energy New Jersey Department of the Treasury Barbara A. Curran Upendra J. Chivukula Richard Mroz Nicholas Asselta Jeanne Fox Lee Solomon Robert M. Gordon