Potential competitors say that's unfair.
That's an impairment to competition in this market. The BPU is preparing to end the monopolies that four electric companies hold in different parts of New Jersey and allow residents to choose their suppliers. The board and the four utilities have said the competitive market would lower a resident's electric bill 5 percent to 10 percent. New Jersey's are among the highest electric rates in the nation. Last week, the utilities for the first time proposed charging consumers to switch.