Perspectives Revisited

There has been a lot of talk about utilities lately, mainly people asking their neighbors if their energy bill went up exorbitantly this summer. The truth is, most peoples did, as new supply prices went into effect in June. The pricing was the result of a Basic Generation Service auction earlier this year which set the prices, that were then certified as a formality by the NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). The price jump, when it came through on the bills, shocked many. Do you have other options for energy? Yes, we’ve written about them before, Electric, Gas, Efficiency: You Have More Control Than You May Realize (August 2023). But the truth is here in Princeton, while you can choose your energy provider, it will still be supplied by PSE&G, one of the four Electric Distribution Companies impacted by this rate change. Most have seen an increase of over 17%. To help offset this, the NJBPU arranged with the provider companies to credit $30 on each of the last two summer bills. That credit, though, is short-lived, as it will be charged back to your account in $10 increments over the next six months (an attempt to shift the cost from high-usage summer months to the lower-usage shoulder months). For a little concrete relief to defray increased costs, a $50 credit is expected on all September and October bills.

Yesterday National Hispanic Heritage Month began. This month, and every month, organizations such as Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) help celebrate the rich history, culture, and resilience of the Latin American community. As the organization continues to face unprecedented challenges, it remains committed to celebrating the traditions, languages, and contributions of a heritage which has shaped both our neighborhoods and our nation. As Mercer County’s primary resource hub for Latin American immigrants, LALDEF is working towards a future in which all immigrants are empowered to thrive. Their Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Resources and Wellness Fair will be held at 120 E. State Street, Trenton on Saturday, October 4^th, providing an opportunity for guests to participate in free health screenings, connect with health and social services providers, receive support with applications for health insurance, WIC, and more. The organization shared some of their other efforts with us in the article Supporting Our Latino Neighbors and Their Path to American Citizenship and Assimilation (December 2024). You can also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on September 28^th at Princeton Festival Cultural Latino, with performances, food, culture and music across Palmer Square and Hinds Plaza from 1-5pm.