The new month comes with a new increase in consumers' electric bills.

Utility costs are up anywhere from 17 to 20% depending on the utility provider.

The increase impacts customers of the four main electric providers: PSE&G, JCP&L, Atlantic City Electric and Rockland Electric Company.

The average household will see an increase of $22 to $28 every month. The hike was announced earlier this year after the state’s annual electricity auction.

"It's not very ideal at the end of the day. Hopefully they eventually push us to renewables and keep the cost low," said Apoorva Mehra, South Orange.

Some residents have already started using renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. However, they still question why the increase wasn’t made in smaller increments.

"We just purchased solar to offset the increasing energy costs," said Mark Gabriel, of West Orange. "It’s a huge increase, which makes it hard for the homeowner and even landlords too because it's passed on to tenants."

"If I was eligible for solar, I would do it," said Jen Warren, of Maplewood. "We live in a dark spot on my side of the street. So anytime it snows, my yard is the last yard to have the snow melted. We just don’t get a lot of sun."

Authorities say it’s a supply and demand issue. Energy production can’t keep pace with the demand.