GOP members of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, Assemblymen Alex Sauickie, Christian Barranco and Paul Kanitra, submitted minority statements opposing two bills in committee on Monday that continue the ratepayer-hammering policies of the majority party. It was the first committee meeting to consider legislation lowering energy costs following two public hearings on the issue. 

The first bill (A4844), a last-minute addition to the agenda, requires the Board of Public Utilities and electric public utilities to establish building electrification programs. It encourages the conversion or replacement of heating systems, appliances, industrial equipment and other devices powered by natural gas with those powered by electricity. 

“Just like the data centers that will place new strains on the grid and likely lead to rate increases as recognized by the other legislation [on the committee agenda], this bill, if it meets its goals, will do the same through those new electric systems and devices,” the statement says. 

Out of about 3.5 million households in New Jersey, approximately 75% are powered by natural gas, meaning the goal is to convert more than 2.6 million homes to electrical power. 

The bill also directs the BPU to create a cost recovery and performance incentive mechanism.

“To meaningfully cause individuals and businesses to participate, the incentives will have to be very significant. This appears to be a plan to spend a lot of money in order to create more strain on the grid and higher rates for New Jerseyans already reeling from high energy costs and anticipated hikes of up to 20 percent,” the GOP assemblymen added. 

A joint resolution directing the BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection’s reliability pricing model and urge reforms was also rejected by Republicans, not because of the investigation or reforms, but because of its blind commitment to carbon-free energy over diversified sources. 

“This resolution doubles down on the very policy choices that have been pursued for the past seven years, which have brought the people of this state to their current level of anxiety and outrage over the present and future cost of energy,” the assemblymen wrote in their second statement. 

The Republicans note the price of residential electricity is nearly 20% higher for New Jerseyans than the national average, and the price of electricity across all sectors is over 27% higher. 

Under the BPU’s oversight, they say, New Jersey became a net exporter of electricity to a net importer.

“BPU’s abject failure in this area is precisely why the committee today will consider legislation to require the BPU to study the feasibility of developing small modular reactors in the state. Such a study could have been conducted by the BPU of its own accord years ago, which would have positioned the state today much nearer to creating reliable, carbon-free energy sources,” they wrote. 

The BPU has estimated green energy initiatives, including the failed offshore wind projects, have added $1.2 billion in surcharges to utility bills since 2021. 

“The resolution supports the current ratepayer-hammering policy of unquestioningly prioritizing carbon-free energy over a measured mix of renewable and demonstrably reliable energy sources. Also, its preamble ambles right up to the line of fiction in its portrayal of the BPU’s efforts to develop new energy generation and protect ratepayers,” they added.

Six other bills on the committee’s agenda, including greater review of rate increase requests, training for BPU members, and investigating nuclear options, were supported by Republicans and cleared the committee unanimously.

Republicans also announced on Monday their own legislative energy affordability task force focused on delivering immediate relief for New Jersey ratepayers and building long-term energy supply solutions. 

“We want to lower utility bills now and make sure New Jersey has a reliable, affordable energy future,” Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio (R-Warren) said. “Republicans believe in smart, practical change, not radical policies that drive up costs for everyone.”

Some of those Republican solutions include Sauickie’s five-part legislative package to cut the state sales tax on energy consumption, address higher costs associated with conservation efforts, better enable customers to shop around for lower supply rates, and head off expensive transmission projects that aren’t needed.

“New Jersey ratepayers deserve a government that protects them from increasing costs instead of one that chases a costly agenda and doesn’t value a diversified energy portfolio. It’s time we put people before politics so we can lower utility bills before summer,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) said.

May 5