A new survey of 800 New Jerseyans revealed a deep concern about the costs of electric power in the state.More than half of those surveyed by AARP New Jersey indicated rising electric costs concern them. Forty-six percent of respondents are extremely or very concerned about the price of electricity going up, and an additional 25 percent are somewhat concerned.

Few New Jerseyans feel state lawmakers are doing enough to lower the cost of electric bills.

"Fully 60 percent of our respondents do not believe that their state elected officials are doing enough to lower the cost of electric bills," said Evelyn Liebman, associate state director for advocacy for AARP New Jersey.

Liebman said the survey also expressed overwhelming support for strong oversight of New Jersey's electric utilities by the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU).  Ninety-four percent of those who responded believe that the BPU should evaluate proposed infrastructure improvements before utility rates are approved.

In addition, 69 percent of respondents said that if utility companies could have taken steps either before or during Superstorm Sandy to limit the extent of the damage and/or length of power outages, utility stockholders should be required to pay the related costs rather than consumers.

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