The Garden State Community Energy Cooperative (GSCEC) on Dec. 26 announced the launch of its Community Energy Aggregation (CEA) Program, securing reduced electricity supply rates for residents in four New Jersey municipalities.
Following a bulk-purchase initiative, the GSCEC has signed a 19-month contract with Direct Energy Services LLC to provide electricity supply to residential electricity customers beginning with March 2026 meter reads.
The program includes the City of Summit, Borough of Lincoln Park (acting as the Lead Agency), Jefferson Township and Mount Olive Township. By leveraging the collective buying power of these communities, the GSCEC has secured a rate of $0.1446 per kWh (kilowatt-hour), which it says is lower than JCP&L’s “Basic Generation” rate of $0.156033 per kWh at the time of auction on Oct. 3.
“The GSCEC was established to provide residential electricity customers with more control over their energy costs and access to greener alternatives,” said a GSCEC representative. “This new contract offers price stability through September 2027 and provides the option for households to support 100% renewable energy.”
Program Highlights and Options:
Information packets are being mailed to eligible residents: those who have not already chosen a third-party supplier, who do not have a net meter associated with solar, and/or who do not have a time-of-day (on-peak/off-peak) meter. Eligible residents will be automatically enrolled in the Standard Program but have three distinct choices:
- Standard Option: $0.1446 per kWh (Provides minimum NJ renewable energy requirements).
- Green Option: $0.1461 per kWh (Provides 100% renewable energy certificates from wind and solar).
- Opt-Out: Residents may choose to remain with JCP&L’s Basic Generation Service.
JCP&L will continue to deliver the electricity, handle all repairs, and manage billing. Residents on Budget Billing will see their plans transition automatically to the new supplier.
Enrollment Information:
Residents have until Jan. 31, 2026, to opt out of the program before automatic enrollment begins. There are no fees to join or leave the program, and residents can opt out at any time during the 19-month term without penalty.
Established in 2023, the GSCEC is a joint effort between four New Jersey municipalities to lower energy costs for residents through government energy aggregation. The regulations related to Government Energy Aggregation Programs require that the program show savings versus the utility provided rates at the time of auction.
