FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2025

CLEAN coalition responds to Governor Murphy’s 2025 State of the State Addres
The address called on lawmakers to pass legislation that will transition New Jersey to 100% clean electricity within the decade; legislature can deliver even greater savings by enhancing building electrification efforts in the state

Trenton, NJ — Governor Murphy’s 2025 State of the State Address yesterday included a key climate priority that will help lower costs for New Jersey residents and accelerate the transition towards a clean energy future. During his address, Murphy urged the legislature to codify his administration’s goal of running New Jersey on 100% clean electricity by 2035 into law.

This requirement would result in developing additional clean resources by 2035 and ensure that all new demand thereafter – whether from electric vehicles, heat pumps in buildings or growing industrial demand – would be provided by clean electricity.

This legislation recognizes that the transition to clean resources is underway across our regional electric grid. Today, 95% of all new generation being developed are solar, wind and storage projects that help to lower energy costs for New Jersey residents while adding to grid reliability. Requiring that 100% of New Jersey’s consumption of electricity is met by clean resources ensures that greenhouse gasses and pollutants will continue to decline, even as total demand for electricity grows.

The legislature can deliver even greater savings to consumers by passing common-sense legislation such as Senate Bill 249 (S.249/ A4844) requiring electric utilities to propose and implement building decarbonization programs. The law would help accelerate adoption of high-efficiency electric heat pumps which can save residents up to 41% on their annual energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the state’s air quality.

Below are quotes from CLEAN coalition advocates in response to Governor Murphy’s State of the State Address:

Barbara Blumenthal, New Jersey Conservation Foundation:
“Accelerating the transition to a clean energy future is critical to securing a more affordable, cleaner, and healthier Garden State. Governor Murphy’s call to completely power our electric grid with solar, wind and other clean sources will reduce our reliance on polluting, costly fossil fuels, leading to lower costs for New Jerseyans. To further reduce costs for New Jerseyans, it’s important that legislators and the Murphy administration work together to pass Senate Bill 249, legislation that would help households adopt electric appliances such as heat pumps which would reduce energy bills and lower climate emissions.”

Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters:
“We’re proud of Governor Murphy for charting a clean energy future in his State of the State address that will clean our air and lower costs for working families and local businesses. We know that clean energy costs less than dirty oil and gas, and Governor Murphy’s plan to enshrine these goals in law will allow children with asthma and seniors with heart disease to breathe easier — even as we create thousands of union jobs here in New Jersey. At a time when Donald Trump is planning massive giveaways to the billionaire CEOs of oil and gas companies, New Jersey must be at the forefront of delivering cleaner and cheaper energy to position our state as a leader in the renewable energy revolution. Legislation that puts New Jersey on the path to 100% clean energy by 2035 would cement Governor Murphy’s legacy as the nation’s greenest governor, and we look forward to working with him and with environmental champions in the Legislature to deliver real results for working families who deserve to breathe cleaner air, save money on their energy bills, and address the worst impacts of climate change.”

Nicole Miller, Vice Chair, New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition (NJPEEC):
“The key to unlocking a more affordable, prosperous New Jersey lies in tapping into the potential of clean energy technology. Powering our electric grid with 100% clean energy in the next decade is a crucial step in the right direction to lower costs for hardworking Garden State residents. Even further savings can be unlocked by accelerating the transition to highly efficient, electric heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. In the face of rising fuel prices and the worsening effects of climate change, it’s critical that lawmakers in Trenton act quickly to pass legislation accelerating New Jersey’s transition to clean energy and delivering financial relief to families.”

Donna De Costanzo, Northeast Regional Director for Climate & Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):
“Securing a clean energy future is vital to fulfilling Governor Murphy’s commitment to lowering costs and creating an economically prosperous New Jersey. The legislature can lower energy bills, improve the state’s air quality, and tackle greenhouse gas emissions by powering our grid with 100% clean energy sources and accelerating the adoption of heat pumps. Today’s State of the State must serve as a rallying call for lawmakers to take immediate action and address the energy affordability crisis that is impacting Garden State residents.”

Laura Fenster Rothschild, Managing Director, Isles, Inc.:
“Today’s State of the State Address focused on increasing economic opportunity to every New Jerseyan, and Governor Murphy’s proposal to power our grid with 100% clean renewable energy should be welcome news for those seeking lower costs. To complement these efforts, the Murphy Administration and lawmakers must also increase support to environmental justice communities to ensure they have access to energy saving strategies such as heat pumps, which can slash energy bills and deliver healthier air for residents of the Garden State.”

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