TRENTON, NJ – In response to a PJM spokesperson’s remarks about New Jersey’s increasing energy costs, Senator Latham Tiver (R-08) and Assemblyman Michael Torrissi, Jr. (R-08) attributed the rising rates to Democrat-led energy policies, arguing that the state’s reliance on energy imports and aggressive renewable energy goals are driving up prices for consumers.
“A spokesperson from PJM recently said that New Jersey imports more energy than it produces, and that the state’s renewable energy goals are contributing to the current cost increases,” Tiver said. “We cannot ignore the fact that these policies are causing a rise in rates for hardworking New Jersey families.”
Tiver promoted his proposed bill, S-2839, the “Energy Security and Affordability Act,” as a solution to stabilize costs. The legislation would require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability in its Energy Master Plan. It would also mandate economic and ratepayer impact analyses before approving energy projects.
“The people of New Jersey should not have to choose between paying their electric bill and putting food on the table,” Tiver said, emphasizing the need for a balanced energy strategy that prioritizes consumer affordability.
Torrissi echoed Tiver’s concerns, arguing that reliability and affordability must be the legislature’s focus. “We need the other side of the aisle to commit to not decommissioning power plants until we have the energy ready to replace the energy lost. Solar and wind simply cannot power the entire grid at the moment,” he said.
The lawmakers warned that New Jersey’s current energy trajectory is unsustainable, calling for bipartisan action to prevent further price increases.
