Hoboken residents who were overbilled last month will get a refund from the city’s clean energy provider, Direct Energy, with a check being mailed to them directly.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The City of Hoboken is notifying residents about potential overbilling by Direct Energy, the City’s former clean energy provider, during the month of December during the transition period to the City’s new energy provider, IDT Energy Services,” today’s Nixle alert says.
“Affected residents will receive a letter in the mail notifying them if they were affected and a subsequent mailed refund check to correct the error this month.”
The city-issued notice also says that no contact will be made via phone, email, or in person, as well as that refund checks will reflect the overbilled amount for December 2024 usage, which averaged $22.76.
“Direct Energy is auditing accounts and issuing refunds for the difference between the higher billed rate and the intended rate. Checks should arrive within two weeks of receiving a notification letter,” the alert continues.
Anyone with any further questions are used to contact Direct Energy Customer Service at 1-866-968-8065, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, with hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday.
They can also be reached via email at aggregationsupport@NRG.com.
The program is an opt-out program as required by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, meaning that residents can opt-out of the program at any time and there are no fees associated with opting out of the program.
Three expected mayoral candidates, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos were quick to bounce on the development.
“A path to resolve this mess. TY to the many #Hoboken residents who reached out and to @CityofHoboken for investigating so quickly after I raised last week. For Q’s: Contact @DirectEnergy @ 1-866-968-8065 or Email: aggregationsupport@NRG.com,” Fisher, who raised the issue in her newsletter, posted on social media.
“An error has been identified as the root cause to the billing discrepancies. A letter to effected households will be distributed by Direct Energy, and refunds will be issued later in the month. As always, I’m available should you need assistance,” Russo wrote.
“Administration confirms a billing error in Dec. Direct Energy bills. Refunds coming this month; letters to affected households sent this week. Stay tuned,” Ramos said.
The Hoboken Renewable Energy Program, announced in 2021, provides participating residents with more of the electricity from renewable sources than the standard offering.
Since the program’s launch, residents have saved over $800,000, the Nixle alert also claims.
1/3 The City recently became aware of December overbilling of certain residents by Direct Energy, the City’s old clean energy provider, which will be mailing refund checks to the residents affected. No contact will be made via phone, email, or in person.
— City of Hoboken (@CityofHoboken) January 15, 2025