With most New Jersey residents still reeling from the latest utility rate hike which went into effect in June, the average utility bill will likely soar higher once again, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced, following their annual auction.

The new price, which took effect two months ago, was $269.92 per megawatt-day, an increase from $28.92 per megawatt-day in the previous delivery year.

But the most recent auction yielded an even higher price, $329.17 per megawatt-day, which will take effect next June.

PJM Interconnection, the company which operates the electric grid for New Jersey and 12 other states, says their electric capacity prices have reached record totals, increasing by roughly 800% over the previous year.

Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio said in a statement that the increase is more proof New Jersey must focus on real energy independence and affordability.

“Even a modest increase is too much when working families are already getting crushed by electric bills,” DiMaio (R-Warren) said. “We need to build more in-state energy sources that are reliable, affordable and actually lower costs for New Jerseyans.”

While PJM claims the increase may only raise some customers’ bills by 1.5% to 5%, DiMaio said that’s unacceptable in a state already paying some of the highest utility rates in the country.

“The Murphy administration has turned a blind eye to affordability,” DiMaio said. “It keeps pushing mandates that drive up costs while ignoring the need for reliable baseload power like natural gas and nuclear right here in New Jersey.”

In New Jersey, there are several assistance programs available for people who are having trouble paying their electricity bills: Universal Service Fund, Fresh Start Program, Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Lifeline, NJ Shares, and NJ Comfort Partners.

Additionally, the Winter Termination Program is a utility-led program that protects qualifying ratepayers from service disruption during the winter months from November 15 until March 15