Atlantic City Electric officials are pushing back against claims it is implementing another significant bill increase, saying a typical residential customer using 649 kilowatts per hour saw a $10 decrease, from $201 to $191, depending on usage, beginning in June.

“We understand that customers and stakeholders are concerned about affordability, and we share those concerns,” company officials said in an Aug. 5 statement.

The comments came on the heels of Congressman Jeff Van Drew taking the South Jersey-based utility to task over a notice his constituents received saying their electric bills would increase again. In his July 31 letter to company officials, the congressman said the notice advised ratepayers the average bill would increase from $158 to $184, and he requested a detailed explanation of how the rate notice complied with Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s executive order to hold utilities accountable for keeping rates from continuing to climb at an unsustainable rate.

“Claims that Atlantic City Electric is implementing another significant bill increase is false,” the company said. “Several factors affect customer bills during the summer months, including electricity usage during hotter weather as air conditioning systems work harder, and changes in the rates customers pay for electricity.”

Still, the company said while higher usage can increase an individual bill, the average impact from rate changes this summer is expected to decrease bills.

The average bill includes a $12...

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