You’ve probably seen the name NJ Light and Power on an old utility pole or buried in the fine print of a historical property deed and wondered, "Wait, who actually sends me my bill now?"
It’s a fair question. The energy landscape in New Jersey is a tangled web of mergers, rebrands, and corporate handoffs that go back over a century. Honestly, the "NJ Light and Power" most people search for hasn't existed as a standalone entity for decades, yet its DNA is everywhere in the wires crossing your backyard.
Most people think their electric company is just a monolithic "thing" that’s always been there. It’s not. It’s a survivor of a brutal era of utility consolidation.
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The Ghost of NJ Light and Power
Back in the early 20th century, New Jersey's power grid was basically a Wild West of tiny, local startups. You had companies like the New Jersey Light, Heat and Power Company popping up to serve specific towns or even just individual streets.
Eventually, most of these localized operations were swallowed up. The entity known as New Jersey Light & Power Company was a major player in the northern and western parts of the state. If you live in Morristown, Flemington, or anywhere near the Delaware Water Gap, you are likely standing on their old turf.
In 1943, things started to shift. The company became a subsidiary of General Public Utilities (GPU). For a long time, it operated alongside Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). They were like sister companies under the same corporate umbrella. Then, in 1974, the two officially merged. The "NJ Light and Power" name was retired, and everything became JCP&L.
Who is in charge now?
If you’re trying to pay a bill or report a transformer fire, you aren't calling NJ Light and Power. You’re calling FirstEnergy.
Here’s the lineage:
- New Jersey Light & Power (Merged 1974)
- Jersey Central Power & Light (Owned by GPU)
- FirstEnergy (Acquired GPU in 2001)
FirstEnergy is the massive, Akron-based holding company that now oversees JCP&L. They serve over 1.1 million New Jerseyans. So, when you see a truck with a FirstEnergy logo fixing a line in Middletown or Red Bank, you’re looking at the modern descendant of that 1920s power company.
Why the Grid is Changing (And Your Bill is Rising)
Kinda frustrating, right? You look at your bill and the numbers just keep climbing. In June 2025, many Jersey residents saw their rates jump by nearly 20%.
It’s not just corporate greed, though that’s the easy thing to blame. We’re in the middle of a massive "storm hardening" phase. Superstorm Sandy changed everything. The old NJ Light and Power infrastructure was never built to handle 90-mph gusts and massive coastal surges.
Utilities are now forced to spend billions on:
- Replacing 50-year-old wooden poles with composite materials.
- Undergrounding lines (especially in spots like the Navesink River crossing).
- Smart Meters: These are huge right now. They allow the company to see your power is out before you even pick up the phone.
The Data Center Dilemma
There’s a weird thing happening that most people don't talk about. AI.
Because Northern New Jersey is so close to New York City, it’s becoming a massive hub for data centers. These buildings suck up a ridiculous amount of electricity. PJM Interconnection—the "grid of grids" that manages power for the whole Mid-Atlantic—is struggling to keep up.
Basically, we’re retiring old coal plants (NJ’s last one closed in 2022) but we aren't building new stuff fast enough. When demand goes up and supply stays flat, you get the price hikes we saw in late 2025.
What You Should Actually Do
If you’re still searching for "NJ Light and Power," you’re likely looking for help with your service. Here is the move:
1. Know Your Rights
New Jersey is a deregulated state. This means you don't have to buy your electricity from JCP&L/FirstEnergy. You can shop around for a "Third-Party Supplier." Companies like Constellation or Direct Energy might offer a lower fixed rate. Just watch out for "variable" rates that spike in the summer.
2. Check the "Energize365" Schedule
FirstEnergy is currently in the middle of a $28 billion investment plan through 2029. If your neighborhood has constant flickering, check their project map. Major upgrades are happening in Monmouth, Morris, and Essex counties right now to replace insulators that are literally 40+ years old.
3. Use the 1-888-LIGHTSS Number
Don't bother with old historical contact info. If the lights go out, 1-888-544-4877 is the only number that matters for the old NJ Light and Power territory.
4. The Solar Loophole
New Jersey is surprisingly aggressive with solar. We’re currently 7th in the nation for small-scale solar. If your bill is consistently over $200, the state’s Community Solar Pilot Program is worth a look. You don't even need to put panels on your own roof to get the discount.
Actionable Next Steps
Instead of just wondering why your power is expensive, take these three steps today:
- Audit your supplier: Look at the "Supply" portion of your bill. If it says "Basic Generation Service," you’re on the default rate. Go to the NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) website and compare it against third-party providers.
- Register for Alerts: Sign up for FirstEnergy’s text alerts. It sounds small, but in the 2025 storm season, their "restoration time" accuracy was significantly better for those on the digital platform.
- Apply for the USF: If you’re struggling with the recent 20% rate hike, the Universal Service Fund (USF) in NJ just expanded its income limits. A lot of middle-class families now qualify for credits they didn't three years ago.
The era of the small, local NJ Light and Power is gone, replaced by a high-tech, high-cost regional grid. Navigating it takes a bit more effort than just flipping a switch.