Rate Counsel, Division of

Rate Counsel is a member of several state utility policy making groups and also represents consumers in setting energy, water and telecommunications policy that will affect the provision of services into the future. The New Jersey Legislature charged Rate Counsel with being "devoted to the maximum extent possible to ensuring adequate representation of the interest of those consumers whose interest would otherwise be inadequately represented in matters within the jurisdiction of the Division of Rate Counsel." The mission of Rate Counsel is to make sure that all classes of utility consumers receive safe, adequate and proper utility service at affordable rates that are just and nondiscriminatory. In addition, Rate Counsel works to ensure that all consumers are knowledgeable about the choices they have with utility competition. In January 2006, the Division began representing consumers in certain insurance cases.