Trenton, NJ – In a surprising turn of events, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has decided to remove the approval of a proposed “building decarbonization” plan from its agenda. This decision comes after legislators, the Division of Rate Counsel, and other stakeholders raised serious concerns about the rushed nature of the implementation and the potential overreach of the agency’s authority.
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco voiced his objections to the plan, highlighting the significant financial burden it could impose on New Jersey’s residents and businesses. “The BPU thought it could rush the approval of a major energy policy change that could ultimately cost New Jersey home and business owners hundreds of billions of dollars to implement,” said Bucco (R-25). He further expressed doubts about the BPU’s legal authority to set environmental policy or regulate carbon emissions, which he believes the agency intends to do. Bucco commended the BPU for backing down after the concerns were brought to light but cautioned against complacency, noting that the building decarbonization plan might reappear on a future agenda.
The BPU had released a preliminary road map on June 7, outlining a plan to electrify all homes and businesses in the state.
However, Bucco had previously warned that the proposal lacked details on the expected costs and the potential mandates required to transition the 80% of New Jersey homes currently reliant on natural gas for heating, cooking, and hot water.
Following a public comment period that concluded on June 27, the BPU had intended to adopt the plan at its most recent meeting. However, Bucco and other concerned parties began raising awareness about the implications of “building decarbonization.”
Critics of the plan argue that it ultimately aims to eliminate affordable natural gas and necessitate costly replacements for gas stoves, furnaces, and hot water heaters. They contend that achieving full electrification statewide would require bans, mandates, expensive conversions, and higher energy bills. Bucco pledged to continue exposing what he perceives as the unfavorable realities of Governor Murphy’s expensive green energy plan, which he claims the governor has been attempting to downplay.
Governor Murphy has yet to disclose the full cost of his extreme green energy plan. However, an independent estimate places the burden on New Jerseyans at a staggering $1.4 trillion.