WASHINGTON, D.C. — South Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew says Atlantic City Electric customers deserve refunds after a federal audit reportedly concluded that the utility overbilled customers and made errors involving federal tax law.
Van Drew (R, NJ-02) announced the audit findings Tuesday, arguing that they vindicate years of complaints from South Jersey ratepayers who have watched their electric bills climb.
“For years, we have been saying something was wrong with what people in South Jersey were paying for electricity,” Van Drew said.
The congressman had previously pressed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to audit Atlantic City Electric after holding public hearings and challenging the utility over its rates and billing practices.
According to Van Drew’s office, the resulting federal review found customer overcharges as well as errors connected to the utility’s treatment of federal taxes.
Van Drew now wants affected customers made whole.
“The people who paid more than they should have deserve refunds now,” he said, adding that the findings should also translate into lower rates going forward.
The Republican congressman also trained his fire on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, accusing state regulators of repeatedly approving rate increases while failing to adequately investigate the underlying problems. He renewed his call for BPU commissioners to resign.
Electricity costs have emerged as a major political headache in New Jersey, particularly after another round of steep increases hit ratepayers in June 2025. Atlantic City Electric customers were among those confronting substantially higher bills.
Van Drew has made the issue a centerpiece of his recent constituent advocacy, including public hearings focused on unexpectedly high bills and the utility’s explanations for them.
“We fought for this audit because we knew something was wrong,” Van Drew said. “The next step is making sure the people of South Jersey get their money back and finally see some relief on their bills.”
The immediate question is how much money customers may ultimately be owed — and whether federal or state regulators will require Atlantic City Electric to issue refunds or reduce rates.
For already-strapped South Jersey families, that answer can’t come soon enough.
