Says NJ Residents & Businesses Need Affordable Mix of Energy
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said statewide electricity rate hikes that will take effect this summer highlight the risk to consumers of Governor Phil Murphy’s extreme green energy plan that would phase out natural gas and force New Jerseyans to switch to electric appliances and expensive electric vehicles.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said statewide electricity rate hikes that will take effect this summer highlight the risk to consumers of Gov. Phil Murphy’s extreme green energy plan that would phase out natural gas and force New Jerseyans to switch to electric appliances and expensive electric vehicles. (SenateNJ.com)
“Electric rates will rise across New Jersey by up to 7% this summer,” said Bucco (R-25). “Thankfully, most people use an affordable mix of energy for their homes and businesses, so that hike in electric rates will be offset by dropping natural gas prices. Under Governor Murphy’s plan to electrify everything, however, there would be no relief and people would be forced to pay more to turn on their lights, heat their homes, and charge their cars. The governor’s plan, if implemented, will lead to huge increases in energy bills for New Jersey.”
Bucco’s comments followed the BPU’s approval of electricity rate increases of 6.9% for customers of Rockland Electric Company, 4.8% for JCP&L, 4.1% for Atlantic City Electric, and 3.3% for PSE&G.
The hikes in electric rates followed PSE&G’s reduction of natural gas rates by 23% on February 1. According to the company, residential gas bills are approximately 30% lower than in 2008, and 44% lower when accounting for inflation.
Despite the fact that natural gas rates continue to drop, Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan would force New Jerseyans to convert their furnaces, stoves, and hot water heaters from gas to electric.
Related video: Governor Phil Murphy’s extreme energy plan is so GREEN you won’t believe it! (YouTube/NJ Senate Republicans)
According to a new report from Affordable Energy for New Jersey, an independent non-profit, the total cost of the governor’s green energy plan is $1.4 trillion between now and 2050.
“In addition to the massive cost of Governor Murphy extreme green energy plan, there’s an enormous safety risk that comes with eliminating redundant energy sources and placing more demand on a fragile electric grid that can’t handle it,” added Bucco. “In a power outage, you wouldn’t be able to turn on your lights, heat your home, cook your dinner, or drive your car that you couldn’t charge. That’s a recipe for disaster in an emergency.”