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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2002
The smooth functioning of New Jersey's industrial structure depends in
large measure upon power, light, and transportation facilities, supplied
in almost monopolistic fashion by the Public Service Corporation. Formed in
1903, this corporation acts as a holding company for Public Service Gas
and Electric Company, and Public Service Coordinated Transport, both
operating companies.
A rapid process of absorbing smaller utilities has brought Public Service
to a position where it supplies about 80 percent of all electricity generated throughout New Jersey and about 86 percent of all gas. There still
exist 14 independent gas companies and 10 electric companies which serve
smaller communities; about half of these are municipally owned. The
efforts of the city of Camden in 1934 to build a municipal power plant
were thwarted by the State legislature, which voted against the city's issuing bonds to finance the venture.
This threat of municipal ownership, as well as formation of citizens'
committees all over the State, has caused Public Service to reduce its rates
slightly in recent years. Rates for the residential consumer are now, for
example, $2.20 for 24 kilowatt-hours and $5.41 for 100 kilowatt-hours.
Thirty-six other States, according to a Federal Power Commission report
in 1936, have lower average rates than those in New Jersey.
Public Service also holds a commanding position in local streetcar and
bus operation and in intercity transportation. In 1936 this corporation,
generally considered the largest single employer in the State, listed 19,674
workers.
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