New Jersey Natural Gas is justifying its proposed nearly 25% rate increase in the wake of criticism by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.

“First, it’s important to keep these costs in perspective,” said NJNG representative Kevin Roberts. “Nobody wants to hear they are being asked to pay more and we understand that, but even if this rate request were approved in full at the level we requested, customers’ bills would still be 16% lower than they were in 2008.”