Our volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members already give so much to keep us safe—now lawmakers want to ease the financial burden these essential organizations face every month when the electric bill arrives.
State Senator Vince Polistina and State Senator Carmen Amato Jr. have introduced legislation that would require utility companies to charge volunteer fire stations and rescue squads the same residential electric rates that homeowners pay, rather than the significantly higher commercial rates they currently face.
"Volunteer fire companies are saving municipalities and taxpayers a ton of money," Senator Polistina explained. "Anything we can do to lower their costs, to give them more flexibility to operate their buildings and what they're doing to protect the public, is going to benefit New Jersey as a whole."
The Numbers Tell the Story
The savings would be substantial. In Atlantic County, volunteer fire companies currently pay Atlantic City Electric's commercial rate of 21.83 cents per kilowatt-hour. Under the proposed bill, they would instead pay the residential rate of 17.97 cents per kWh—a reduction that could translate to hundreds of dollars in monthly savings for each station.
For organizations that operate entirely on donations, fundraisers, and volunteer labor, those savings could make a real difference in their ability to maintain equipment, upgrade facilities, and focus on their primary mission: protecting our communities.
Local Impact in Egg Harbor Township
The issue hits close to home in Egg Harbor Township, where each of the township's five volunteer fire companies individually pays to keep the lights on. Fire Chief Patrick Flynn met with lawmakers about the escalating costs before the bill was introduced.
While Flynn noted that some companies are feeling the strain of higher utility costs, the situation hasn't yet reached a crisis point requiring station closures or consolidations. Still, the relief couldn't come at a better time.
Senator Amato emphasized that the lower rates would allow these already financially strained volunteers to focus on what matters most: saving lives rather than worrying about keeping the lights on.
Broader Context of Rising Utility Costs
The proposed legislation comes amid a year of dramatic electric rate increases across New Jersey. Rates jumped 17-20% on June 1, prompting action from state leadership.
Last month, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed two executive orders addressing utility costs—one implementing a rate freeze and another fast-tracking new energy projects, including nuclear, solar, and battery storage development.
While residents across the state have felt the pinch of higher utility bills, volunteer emergency services organizations face a unique challenge: they provide critical public services while operating on shoestring budgets, relying on community support and the generosity of volunteers who already donate their time and often their own resources.
This bill represents a practical way to support those who support us—ensuring that our volunteer firefighters and rescue squads can continue their lifesaving work without the added stress of unsustainable operating costs.
