WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Van Drew is demanding the resignation of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) board members following their approval of a 17% increase in electric rates, calling the agency’s energy policies a failure.
“The NJBPU has failed the people of New Jersey,” Van Drew said, criticizing the board for prioritizing offshore wind and green energy initiatives over affordability. He accused the board of ignoring consumer concerns while advancing Governor Phil Murphy’s clean energy agenda.
Van Drew argued that New Jersey’s energy deficit stems from state and federal policies that have shut down traditional energy projects while failing to implement viable alternatives. He pointed to the closures of the B.L. England Power Plant and the South Jersey natural gas pipeline as missed opportunities to stabilize the grid.
The NJBPU’s 2025 budget includes $19.6 million for offshore wind, $22 million for NJ Wind, $119 million for clean energy equity programs, and $162 million for electric vehicle initiatives. While the board attributes rising costs to supply and demand, Van Drew insists that years of policy decisions are to blame.
With energy prices soaring, the debate over New Jersey’s clean energy transition continues to intensify.