In a recent development, Senators Anthony M. Bucco and Michael Testa have requested a more inclusive hearing on the issue of rising energy costs in New Jersey. In their letter addressed to Senator Paul Sarlo and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, co-chairs of the legislative hearings, Bucco and Testa emphasize the need for additional hearings to include stakeholders who were previously not allowed to testify.
The senators expressed concerns about the current hearings, stating: “Instead of facilitating a robust and balanced dialogue, the hearings were populated with the Majority’s handpicked witnesses whose testimonies aligned with a predetermined narrative. One that seeks to shift blame onto utility companies, regional grid operators, and others, while ignoring the role that Governor Murphy’s energy policies have played in driving up costs.”
Bucco and Testa also noted that as members of the Senate Select Committee, they were not consulted regarding witness selection nor given an opportunity to suggest potential witnesses for these discussions. They urged Sarlo and DeAngelo to “convene another hearing that includes witnesses of our recommendation so all relevant voices and viewpoints can be heard.”
The full letter is available online for public viewing.
