Senator Anthony M. Bucco has raised concerns about the timing and content of Governor Murphy’s release of the 2024 Energy Master Plan, which was made public less than two months before the end of Murphy’s administration.
“Timing is everything, and it’s concerning that Governor Murphy has chosen to officially release his 2024 Energy Master Plan less than 60 days before the end of his administration. Major policy decisions of this magnitude will shape New Jersey’s future for decades, and the next administration and incoming legislature deserve a real voice in determining the direction of our state’s energy strategy,” Bucco said.
He criticized what he described as a lack of transparency in the plan. “What continues to be missing from the Governor’s plan is transparency. We still don’t have a clear picture of what this will cost New Jersey families, businesses, and government entities. Utility customers have already endured steep rate increases, and they deserve to know how much more they will be asked to pay.”
Bucco also questioned the feasibility of moving toward full electrification by 2035. “Doubling down on full electrification by 2035 will only make the state’s energy challenges worse and push our utility rates even higher. These unrealistic mandates will only serve to further strain our grid, increase costs, and undermine reliability.”
He suggested that New Jersey consider alternatives seen in other states or proposed by Republicans in New Jersey: “One thing Governor Murphy and Governor-elect Sherrill should be considering is following the lead of Pennsylvania’s Democrat Governor Shapiro, who recently withdrew his state from RGGI to protect ratepayers. Another option would be to consider Republican legislative proposals, like S-4765, that would immediate lower our residents’ energy bills.”
Bucco concluded by calling for balanced solutions: “New Jersey should be pursuing commonsense, balanced energy solutions that protect both our environment and household budgets—not doubling down on policies that make life more expensive. As we prepare for a new administration, I look forward to pursuing these common sense solutions that lower electricity costs, strengthen our energy reliability, and make New Jersey more affordable for families, seniors and small businesses.”
