Trenton, NJ – As New Jersey residents face skyrocketing electric bills, Senator Latham Tiver and Assemblyman Michael Torrissi Jr. are calling for the Legislature to immediately reconvene in a special session to address what they describe as an affordability crisis gripping the state.
The Legislature, controlled by Democrats, has been in recess since late June and is not scheduled to return until after the November elections. In that time, average electric bills across New Jersey have climbed roughly 20 percent, pushing some households into paying hundreds of dollars more each month.
“While people are paying mortgage-sized electric bills, Democrats in the State Legislature have kept their members home all summer with little interest in solving the crisis residents are going through,” Torrissi said.
The Republican lawmakers want action on two bills they argue would prevent further strain on the energy grid. The first, the Affordable Home Energy Protection Act (S-4610), would bar state or local governments from mandating the removal of fossil-fuel appliances or heating systems. The second, the Vehicle Choice Protection Act (S-4611), would stop state agencies from prohibiting the sale, registration, or use of new gas-powered cars.
Tiver said lawmakers should be required to take a public stance on whether they support affordability measures or Governor Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, which has faced criticism for prioritizing electrification goals.
“The people of New Jersey deserve to know where their elected officials stand before the upcoming election,” Tiver said. “Put the gas car and appliance bans up for a vote, and quit hiding behind the Governor’s executive orders.”
Both Tiver and Torrissi have previously argued that aggressive moves toward electrification have boosted demand for electricity while supply has tightened, fueling higher prices. They contend their proposals would give consumers more choices and slow down price increases.
Key Points
- Senator Latham Tiver and Assemblyman Michael Torrissi Jr. want a special session to address rising energy bills.
- Electric bills in New Jersey have risen an average of 20 percent since the Legislature recessed in June.
- The lawmakers are pushing two bills to block bans on gas-powered cars and appliances.
The fight over energy costs is shaping up as a major political flashpoint ahead of November’s elections.