How electricity choice works in New Jersey
Under New Jersey’s energy deregulation law, the supply portion of an electric or natural gas bill is separate from delivery. Customers may purchase supply from a third-party supplier licensed by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), or they may stay on the utility’s default supply. The distribution utility still delivers electricity or gas through its wires or pipes and responds to emergencies. The BPU says shopping is an economic decision and does not change the reliability or safety of service.
The official consumer site is NJ Power Switch, which lists licensed suppliers by utility territory and explains how to shop. Offers may be fixed, floating (variable), or a hybrid. Peoples Power Choice quotes fixed rates only and will not present a teaser or variable price as if it were a fixed contract. We do not publish rates on this website.
Which utilities are in the market
New Jersey has four electric distribution companies. Licensed third-party electric suppliers are listed for each of these service areas:
- Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G)
- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)
- Atlantic City Electric
- Rockland Electric Company
The state also has natural gas choice. The BPU lists third-party gas suppliers for Elizabethtown Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas, PSE&G, and South Jersey Gas. If you have both electric and gas accounts, we can look at them together when you share the bills.
Larger commercial and industrial accounts can have different default-supply rules than small business or home accounts, including different pricing arrangements for very large loads. A recent bill and your account type are the right starting point; a specialist will tell you what applies to your meters rather than treating every account the same.
What your utility still does
Your electric or gas utility continues to deliver the energy, maintain the wires or pipes, and respond if there is an emergency or an outage. Switching to a third-party supplier does not change who comes out for a downed line or a gas emergency. Billing may be consolidated on the utility bill or split between the utility and the supplier, depending on the offer.
How a broker helps with shopping and renewals
Peoples Power Choice is independent. We help you compare licensed third-party suppliers, read contract length, cancellation terms, and fees, and plan a renewal before a contract ends. The BPU encourages commercial customers to have recent billing history available, to ask how long a price offer remains valid, and to ask when service would start if you accept. We will also look at your current “price to compare” on the utility bill as a reference — without posting a rate on this page.
Start a chat with Optimus — it will open already set to New Jersey — upload a recent bill, or call 855-330-3580. A specialist follows up with current fixed-rate options only. Leads go to info@peoplespowerchoice.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my electricity or natural gas supplier in New Jersey?
Yes. Customers of PSE&G, JCP&L, Atlantic City Electric, and Rockland Electric may choose a BPU-licensed third-party electric supplier or remain on utility default supply. Natural gas choice is also available in the Elizabethtown Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas, PSE&G, and South Jersey Gas territories.
Does switching suppliers change who delivers my power?
No. The Board of Public Utilities states that your electric or natural gas distribution utility still delivers the supply through its wires or pipes and still responds to emergencies. Shopping affects the supply portion of the bill, not delivery or reliability.
If I switch suppliers, who do I call for an outage?
Call your utility — PSE&G, JCP&L, Atlantic City Electric, or Rockland Electric for electricity. That company still maintains the system and handles outages and emergencies.
How does a New Jersey energy broker help, and do you show rates here?
Peoples Power Choice reviews your bills and presents fixed-rate options from licensed third-party suppliers. We do not publish or invent rates on this page or in the Ask Optimus chat. Start a New Jersey chat, upload a bill, or call 855-330-3580.
Official sources
These are the government and utility references used for this page. They are the best place to confirm whether your address can shop.
- New Jersey BPU — commercial shopping for energy suppliers — explains supply versus delivery, lists the four electric utilities and four gas utilities, and describes fixed, floating, and hybrid pricing
- NJ Power Switch — the BPU’s official site for licensed third-party suppliers and shopping guidance
- NJ Power Switch — licensed electric third-party suppliers — suppliers listed by PSE&G, JCP&L, Atlantic City Electric, and Rockland Electric territory
- NJ Power Switch — how to shop for energy — official shopping steps and price-to-compare guidance