New Jersey Natural Gas plans to cut rates for its residential customers this winter by 17.6 percent, according to a proposal that would give consumers battered by the recession some relief. The rate cut, which needs to be approved by the state Board of Public Utilities, would take effect Oct. 1. It would lower rates for a typical customer who uses 100 therms a month from $170.05 to $140.17, the Wall-based utility said. “It’s kind of refreshing somebody is thinking about it,” said Roxanne Smith, 55, of Tinton Falls, who has been under so much financial pressure lately she doesn’t think she can retire. “That would just mean at least somebody is paying attention.” Read full app article here.