TRENTON, NJ – Senator Michael Testa expressed concerns over Governor Murphy’s recent appointment of Christine Guhl-Sadovy as the President of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Testa claims that the move indicates a shift towards a more radical left stance in energy policy by the Murphy administration.
Testa had previously questioned Guhl-Sadovy during her confirmation hearing as a BPU Commissioner. At that time, she dismissed concerns about the environmental impact of offshore wind projects on marine life. A recent federal study, however, indicates potential risks to fish and marine mammals due to such projects.
“When she appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee it was clear that she had predetermined notions about the offshore wind industry and their impact on the marine landscape. It is truly remarkable that someone who refused to answer basic questions about our energy portfolio will now oversee the State’s energy policy decisions,” Testa added. “Her radical-left stance on natural gas is equally disturbing as she shares the same misguided view that the BPU can forcefully electrify the state by 2035 as outlined in Governor Murphy’s ill-conceived energy master plan. New Jerseyans rely on a diverse energy portfolio to heat their homes and go to and from work. Governor Murphy’s decision to install a misguided activist to run the BPU is contradictory to the needs of working families.”
Testa also criticized Guhl-Sadovy’s “radical-left” views on natural gas and the broader energy landscape, suggesting that her appointment could be detrimental to the state’s energy policy.
According to Testa, the Murphy administration’s plan to aggressively pursue electrification by 2035 disregards the energy needs of New Jersey residents.
“Governor Murphy will go to great extremes to implement his costly and overly aggressive energy disaster plan. Even if it means moving further and further to the left with a hand-picked activist to run the BPU,” said Testa (R-1). “Not only did Christine Guhl-Sadovy call the extreme energy master plan a visionary document, but she also spearheaded the radical-left agenda for the Murphy administration. I find it deeply concerning that one of the architects of this ill-fated energy policy is now going to be the head of the BPU.”
“Governor Murphy has a history of making poor judgement calls but choosing Guhl-Sadovy to serve as BPU president is one of his more insane decisions. Not only did she call the extreme energy master plan a visionary document, but she was also one of the architects,” said Holly Schepisi (R-39). “Her activist record speaks for itself as someone who is more concerned about forcefully electrifying the state than the impacts those decisions will have on working families. She barely had enough votes to get confirmed as a commissioner on the BPU, yet Governor Murphy thinks she’s the best choice to oversee the State’s energy priorities. It’s clear that he’s doubling down on his ill-fated energy plans.”