ROTTINO, CARUSO BLAST BPU VOTE THAT SPENDS $735,000 PER JOB

  WAYNE NJ April 21, 2009 --  District 40 Republican Primary State Assembly  candidates Anthony Rottino and Joseph Caruso applauded former Bergen County Freeholder Lisa Randall for being the only member of the New Jersey  Board of Public Utilities wise enough to vote against a $956 million spending plan that will jack up energy costs for homeowners and businesses.  

The BPU claims  the spending plan approved last Thursday for five major state utilities will generate 1,300 new jobs.  But Caruso said “at  cost of $735,000 per job, the BPU has just approved one of the biggest fee increases of all time. This is not an economic stimulus plan, this is reckless spending approved by an agency that simply acting irresponsibly.” 
 

“I congratulate Lisa Randall for having the common sense to vote against this reckless spending approval and question why the other BPU members didn’t follow her lead,” asked Caruso. “At $735,000 per job, the only thing this  spending spree is stimulating is the urge of people to move out of New Jersey.”   Caruso questioned why the spending plan can’t be financed by federal stimulus dollars instead of by ratepayers. 

 “It seems only logical to spare New Jersey ratepayers from the costs of these projects when in fact there is billions in federal stimulus money available,” said Caruso. “Didn’t the BPU take that into account?” 

“The state’s homeowners are already being robbed by high delivery charges from PSE&G and other utility companies.  I can only imagine how high the bills for homeowners will go in coming years,” he added.   

Rottino said he is surprised at the lack of outrage from Trenton.  “Why isn’t the state legislature protesting this ridiculous utility spending plan?” asked Rottino. “Why is no one in Trenton questioning a plan that costs $735,000 per job? ” 

Caruso said the BPU’s action comes as the state economy is in the midst of meltdown, with unemployment at levels unseen in 20 years. 

“Any company that is a big user of energy will undoubtedly be thinking about relocating. “ Caruso said  BPU President Jeanne M. Fox “obviously has no real understanding of economics if she supports such a ridiculous spending plan.”  

The BPU approved the following proposals by utilities:

Atlantic City Electric ($28 million/92 new hires);

Elizabethtown Gas ($60 million/65 new hires);

New Jersey Natural Gas ($71 million/85 new hires);

PSE&G ($694 million/933 new hires); and

South Jersey Gas ($103 million/127 new hires).