Garden State Times

Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco and Senate Republican Whip Michael Testa have been appointed to a legislative committee tasked with investigating the rising utility costs in New Jersey. This follows an announcement by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) that rates could increase by over 20% starting June 2025.

Both senators have consistently advocated for consumer rights, urging transparency from the Murphy Administration, NJBPU, and Trenton Democrats. They attribute the increased energy costs to policies they describe as radical.

Senator Bucco previously stated: “Because of progressive Democrat policies that have been blocking commonsense energy expansion for the past 8 years, New Jersey families are already grappling with some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Rather than unfairly burdening more residents with higher energy bills, we should be working hard to reduce costs by creating more electric power generation as fast as possible with reliable and conventional energy sources like natural gas.”

Bucco has long supported a balanced energy policy that maintains affordability while incorporating diverse energy sources. He has voiced concerns about what he sees as unsustainable agendas from Trenton Democrats.

Senator Testa has also been vocal about ratepayer justice. He recently introduced legislation (S-4285) aiming to dismantle the NJBPU, claiming it has failed to protect consumers. On New Jersey 101.5, Testa criticized NJBPU for supporting Governor Murphy’s Energy Plan instead of prioritizing ratepayers' interests.

Testa expressed his views at an NJBPU stakeholder meeting: “The Energy ‘Disaster’ Plan is a blueprint for higher costs, inefficiency, and a lower quality of life in the Garden State. Rather than update the Energy Master Plan, it should be scrapped in its entirety. While I support the mission of championing a cleaner environment, we cannot and should not sacrifice affordability in the process—we have a duty to the ratepayers in the State of New Jersey.”

Additionally, Senate Republicans proposed the Energy Security and Affordability Act (S-2839), which aims to improve energy costs and protect consumers from future rate hikes approved by NJBPU. The bill emphasizes using local energy sources over costly out-of-state subsidies and requires economic impact assessments for new projects.

The committee will begin hearing testimonies on March 28 at 10:00 AM in Committee Room 4 at the State House Annex in Trenton.