TRENTON, NJ – Assemblywomen Kim Eulner and Marilyn Piperno, both Republicans from Monmouth County, are urging lawmakers to place a moratorium on Governor Phil Murphy’s green energy mandates. The call comes in the wake of Danish company Orsted’s decision to abandon offshore wind projects in New Jersey.
Eulner and Piperno emphasized that if a multi-billion dollar foreign company finds the state’s green energy goals economically unfeasible, then lawmakers should reconsider the affordability of such mandates for residents. They are specifically concerned with Murphy’s ambitious goals to transition 400,000 homes and 20,000 commercial properties to zero-carbon-emission heating and cooling systems as part of a broader plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities supported Murphy’s agenda by approving measures to incentivize the building sector to switch to electric systems. However, the Division of Rate Counsel warns that the plan could lead to increased demand on the electric grid and require costly upgrades.
Eulner and Piperno also expressed concern over the elimination of consumer choice. They cited Murphy’s July 17 announcement to potentially ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 as an example of how mandates could replace incentives.
The assemblywomen are sponsoring a resolution opposing Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, stating that it will financially burden residents. They argue that lawmakers should prioritize the interests of New Jersey residents over extreme mandates.