Rising Fuel Costs Drove New Jersey Surcharges
New Jersey residents are seeing extra fees on service bills as businesses pass on record-high energy costs.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Inflation
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Do you believe businesses should pass rising fuel costs directly to their customers?
New Jersey landscaping and waste collection firms have begun adding fuel surcharges to customer invoices to offset the soaring cost of diesel and gasoline. This shift follows significant disruptions to global oil supply chains that pushed energy prices to new highs.
Why it matters
Rising fuel expenses are forcing small businesses to pass costs directly to households, effectively increasing the monthly price of essential services. These surcharges follow global supply chain disruptions, including infrastructure attacks and the closure of key shipping routes, that have driven energy costs upward.
New Jersey gas prices averaged $4.42 per gallon on Sept. 21, notably higher than the $3.12 average recorded one year ago. For landscaping clients, these energy-related surcharges translate to an additional $15 to $75 per month on service bills.
The players
Chris James Landscaping
A local service provider that has spent over $60,000 on fuel through September 2026.
Waste Management
A provider of trash collection services that utilizes fuel surcharges to manage diesel expense volatility.
The details
Businesses such as local landscaping firms and waste collectors are implementing percentage-based fuel surcharges to cover the gap between standard rates and rising operational costs. Because diesel costs hit a record $6.46 per gallon earlier this month, companies are choosing to itemize these fees rather than raising base prices. This allows firms to adjust costs dynamically as West Texas Intermediate oil prices fluctuate, currently trading at over $97 a barrel.
Timeline
September 11, 2026: Diesel prices hit a record high of $6.46 per gallon.
September 21, 2026: Average gas prices in New Jersey reached $4.42.
2027: Businesses expect to pass further fuel costs to customers.
Money Landscape
The current spike in service costs represents a shift from historically lower energy environments toward a period of extreme supply chain volatility. This development follows the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively linking local service bills to global oil shipping security.
Review your recent service invoices for new line items labeled as fuel or energy surcharges, which can add up to $75 per month for landscaping alone. If these fees persist or grow, consider discussing service-level agreements with your providers or contacting a financial professional to adjust your household budget.
The takeaway
Rising energy costs are increasingly appearing as explicit surcharges on monthly service bills rather than just higher base prices. Keep a close watch on your recurring monthly invoices and bank statements to track how these percentage-based additions impact your overall household spending.
Further reading
For more on how shifts in the economy affect your household, visit our Inflation section.
Live Poll
Do you believe businesses should pass rising fuel costs directly to their customers?
