TRENTON, NJ (July 27, 2023) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy association, released the following statement by State Director Eileen Kean in reaction to the decision by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to eliminate or restrict future gas power for large numbers of New Jersey homeowners and businesses utilizing stoves, washers and driers, and heating and cooling units:

“Yesterday, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities moved forward with little notice, transparency, stakeholder input, or legislative authority to drastically change the Garden State’s energy future by restricting or eliminating the use natural gas in many commercial and residential settings, including stoves, washers and driers, furnaces, and cooling units.

“Had the BPU sought a transparent and inclusive process, they would have quickly learned that the electric grid and transmission capacity are simply not equipped to handle an increase in electricity demand of this magnitude. A hasty conversion could lead to volatile cost spikes and power shortages. Additionally, all-electric buildings themselves are pricey and would lead to higher costs for business owners doing renovations or expansions. Converting every building in the state to all-electric power will cost billions of dollars. Higher energy bills and power outages are not helpful to small businesses struggling to meet the ever-increasing costs of operation.

“NFIB believes that policy decisions of this magnitude are the purview of the state’s elected legislature. Members of the state Senate and Assembly are far more in touch with – and responsive to — the needs and concerns of residents and job creators. The BPU is an unelected state panel with zero accountability to the public.

“We look forward to working with the legislature and employer stakeholders across New Jersey to slow down the state’s ‘mandate madness’ and inject some common sense into the discussion about the state’s energy plans and economic future.”

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For 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.