Bluhm in BPU: Changing Sides on Clean Energy?

Sara Bluhm, previously Vice President for Energy & Environment of the NJ Business and Industry Association, will be will be the new Business Ombudsman at the New Jersey State Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“As a lobbyist for the Business and Industry Association, Sara Bluhm has opposed virtually every item on Governor Murphy’s clean energy agenda. For 14 years we’ve been on opposing sides of environmental and energy issues. She’s always been outspoken with strong beliefs but will now be working to advance the clean-energy agenda she used to fight against. She’s opposed legislation to put New Jersey back into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as well as legislation to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy such as solar.

“We need the BPU to be creating efficient programs to move us away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy and a green economy. During the Christie Administration, they put former Builder’s Association lobbyist Nancy Wittenberg in charge of the Pinelands Commission. That nomination did not turn out well for the Pinelands or the environment. Will Sara Bluhm follow her past beliefs or stand with Murphy’s clean energy agenda? We are concerned that Bluhm’s appointment will be a direct threat towards reaching Governor Murphy’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050 and dealing with climate change.”