Senator Latham Tiver and Assemblyman Michael Torrissi Jr., both representing New Jersey’s 8th district, have introduced a legislative package aimed at preventing state agencies from implementing regulations that would ban gas or diesel-powered vehicles and appliances. This initiative comes as a response to Governor Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, which is part of a broader effort by Democrats to phase out fossil fuels in the state.
Senator Tiver expressed concerns about rising electricity costs, stating, “Electric prices are skyrocketing, increasing 20 percent a year throughout the state, while the Democrats are racing towards an all-electric future that would increase demand and crunch supply even further. If they’re not stopped, New Jersey residents will be faced with a reality where electric prices make it impossible to cool a house and afford a car at the same time.”
Assemblyman Torrissi criticized the governor’s approach, saying, “My legislation with Senator Tiver is a check on unfettered power by the Governor, who has pushed through electric mandates without legislative or voter consent. Banning gas appliances, heating systems, and cars is anti-consumer, anti-affordability, and anti-freedom. In no world should a politician tell an American they can’t cook their food on a gas-powered stove. We need common sense back to Trenton.”
The proposed bills include S4610 – Affordable Home Energy Protection Act, which aims to prevent state or local rules from mandating the removal of certain fossil-fuel powered appliances or heating systems. The second bill, S4611 – Vehicle Choice Protection Act, seeks to prohibit state agencies from restricting or prohibiting the sale or use of new internal combustion vehicles.
