| Woodbury, NJ – Today on NJ101.5, Steve Sweeney called for an immediate halt to Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, citing significant concerns over rising utility costs and the financial strain on New Jersey residents. While supporting efforts to promote clean energy, Sweeney emphasized the need for a balanced and realistic approach that does not place an undue burden on hardworking families.
“As Governor, my foremost priority is to ensure that New Jersey remains an affordable place to live,” said Steve Sweeney. “The recent increases in utility bills demonstrate how overly ambitious targets for a zero-carbon future can negatively impact our residents. We need to take a step back and reassess policies that could drive costs even higher.”
During his tenure as Senate President, Steve Sweeney sponsored legislation that promoted sustainability, including supporting solar development, advancing offshore wind initiatives, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and preserving nuclear power plants. However, Sweeney stressed the importance of incorporating Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) as a key component of New Jersey’s energy strategy.
“With our abundant organic resources — from landfills and sewage to farms and food waste — New Jersey has a unique opportunity to harness RNG to generate gas to meet our energy needs,” Sweeney noted. “We must also acknowledge and make effective use of the substantial investments that have been made in our pipeline infrastructure, which represents a commitment that should not be disregarded.”
While he continues to encourage the sale of electric vehicles and new electric vehicle infrastructure in New Jersey, Steve Sweeney also notes that mandating sales with models being too expensive for most New Jerseyans to afford and the lack of operational charging stations makes little sense as the state’s energy crisis looms large.
Steve Sweeney warned that while the goal of transitioning to clean energy is commendable, it must be approached pragmatically. “The federal support during President Biden’s administration provided hope for clean energy initiatives, yet even then, New Jersey residents felt the strain of these transitions. Now, with shifts in federal leadership, we face a more challenging environment for progress on clean energy initiatives. We must be realistic about our reliance on fossil fuels in the immediate future.”
To mitigate the financial impact on New Jerseyans, Steve Sweeney is calling on Governor Murphy and the state legislature to take immediate action to prevent an energy crisis, stabilize utility costs, and prioritize affordability.
“It is critical that we act now before prices spiral out of control,” said Steve Sweeney. “That’s why I have announced that my administration would hold PJM accountable for policies that adversely affect New Jersey residents.”
Sweeney reaffirmed his commitment to policies that balance environmental sustainability with economic responsibility. “We must pursue a cleaner energy future, but not at the expense of affordability for our residents.”
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