NJ Bill Would Cut Electric Costs for Volunteer Fire Companies

Lawmakers propose lowering utility rates to help cash-strapped volunteer firefighters focus on saving lives.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Volunteer fire companies in New Jersey are struggling to pay their rising electric bills, prompting state lawmakers to introduce a bill that would require utilities to charge them the lowest available residential rate instead of the higher commercial rate. The bill aims to save volunteer fire companies hundreds of dollars per month on their electric costs, allowing them to focus more resources on serving their communities.

Why it matters

Volunteer fire companies play a crucial role in protecting communities across New Jersey, but many are facing financial strain due to high utility costs. This bill seeks to provide relief to these volunteer organizations, enabling them to devote more of their limited budgets to essential firefighting and rescue operations rather than keeping the lights on.

The details

The proposed legislation would require New Jersey utilities to charge volunteer fire companies and rescue squads the lowest available residential electric rate, rather than the higher commercial rate they currently pay. In Atlantic County, for example, volunteer fire companies currently pay 21.83 cents per kWh under the commercial rate, while the residential rate is 17.97 cents per kWh. The lawmakers behind the bill estimate this change could save volunteer companies hundreds of dollars per month on their electric bills.

  • The bill was recently introduced in the New Jersey legislature.

The players

Vince Polistina

A Republican state senator from Atlantic County who co-sponsored the bill to lower electric rates for volunteer fire companies.

Carmen Amato, Jr.

A Republican state senator from Ocean County who co-sponsored the bill to lower electric rates for volunteer fire companies.

Patrick Flynn

The fire chief of Egg Harbor Township, where the five volunteer fire companies each pay to keep their stations' lights on.

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What they’re saying

“Volunteer fire companies are saving municipalities and taxpayers a ton of money. 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.”

— Vince Polistina, State Senator (New Jersey 101.5)

“The lower rates would let volunteers, who are already financially strained, focus on saving lives instead of keeping the lights on.”

— Carmen Amato, Jr., State Senator (wearethejerseyshore.com)

What’s next

The bill has been introduced in the New Jersey legislature and will now go through the committee process before potentially being voted on by the full legislature.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to provide much-needed financial relief to volunteer fire companies in New Jersey, allowing them to redirect resources from utility bills towards their critical public safety mission. If passed, it could serve as a model for other states looking to support their volunteer first responder organizations.