N.J. considers limiting energy suppliers’ solicitation calls

New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that would limit the phone calls residents get from companies that supply electric power.

Assemblyman Dan Benson says he’s been getting complaints from constituents who are annoyed by frequent calls from out-of-state energy suppliers.

“People just want this to stop,” he said. “You know they thought this was taken care of with the do-not-call list, and now they’re getting calls for companies they even heard of.”

A bill Benson, D-Mercer, is sponsoring would prohibit third-party suppliers of electricity from calling residents more than once a year.

That could be a disservice to customers, according to Jay Cooper with the Retail Energy Supply Association.

“A licensed (third-party supplier) may not be able to offer a new service or better price to a potential customer and may want to contact them and under the current bill be arbitrary prohibited from doing so,” Cooper said.

If the bill becomes law, violators could face fines up to $25,000.