Mikie Sherrill blames ‘Big Oil’ and red tape for looming 20 percent New Jersey energy hike hints at summer blackouts and advises residents to use less electricty this summer
TRENTON, N.J. — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill is placing blame on energy grid red tape and fossil fuel interests for an impending 20 percent spike in New Jersey utility rates starting June 1, while backing an aggressive expansion of solar energy to offset costs.
In a video posted to social media, Sherrill pointed to PJM Interconnection, the regional energy grid operator serving New Jersey and over a dozen other states, as a key obstacle in bringing clean energy projects online. “PJM currently manages about 185 gigawatts of power,” Sherrill said. “But 268 gigawatts of clean power is waiting to be added to the grid — and it’s taking up to six years.”
According to Sherrill, PJM’s delay in permitting new energy projects has kept supply tight, driving up costs ahead of what could be one of the hottest summers on record. She cited PJM’s own projections warning of summer 2025 shortages and urged faster integration of solar and renewable energy. “Adding just seven gigawatts of new power could have drastically reduced prices and improved reliability this summer,” she said.
Sherrill also claimed that PJM’s board is influenced by oil and gas interests that have deprioritized renewable energy. “There’s a lot of big oil and gas interests on the board,” she said. “And a lot of red tape and bureaucracy.”
Solar pitch follows failed offshore wind push
Sherrill’s comments align her closely with parts of Governor Phil Murphy’s clean energy platform, especially after the administration’s high-profile offshore wind plans stalled last year. Now, Sherrill is betting on solar — specifically community solar projects and installations on state-owned properties — as a more immediate path to lowering rates.
She highlighted the state’s lagging solar growth, noting New Jersey has increased its solar production by just 25 percent in recent years, compared to the national average of 150 percent. “We can do more by putting solar on capped landfills and other state buildings,” she said, proposing that such projects could bypass PJM altogether.
Her proposal includes holding PJM “accountable” as governor and investing in community solar to rapidly boost clean energy access. She also endorsed a long-term energy mix that includes nuclear power to meet the state’s reliability and clean energy goals.
Sherrill currently sits in Congress and has not yet held PJM accountable at the federal level.
