TRENTON, NJ — Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) and Senate Republican Whip Michael Testa (R-1) are demanding answers from the Murphy administration and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) over rising energy costs, ahead of a joint legislative hearing set for Friday morning.
The lawmakers have repeatedly criticized Democratic energy policies, calling for immediate reforms and the rejection of what they describe as failed strategies that have led to some of the highest utility rates in the country.
“Because of progressive Democrat policies that have been blocking commonsense energy expansion for the past 8 years, New Jersey families are already grappling with some of the highest energy costs in the nation,” Bucco said last week.
Key Points
- Senate Republicans blame rising utility costs on current energy policies
- GOP introduces legislation to prioritize in-state energy and protect ratepayers
- Legislative committee hearing on energy affordability scheduled for Friday in Trenton
Bucco and Testa have introduced the “Energy Security and Affordability Act” (S-2839), aimed at reducing costs and preventing future NJBPU-approved rate hikes. The measure requires impact assessments for proposed energy projects and prioritizes in-state energy generation over out-of-state subsidies.
Testa, a vocal critic of the state’s energy roadmap, has called the current strategy a “blueprint for higher costs, inefficiency, and a lower quality of life.” He said during an NJBPU meeting that the Energy Master Plan should be scrapped entirely in favor of a more affordable approach to clean energy.
Both senators are set to participate in a bicameral legislative investigation into the projected 20% hike in electricity rates expected by June 2025. The hearing will begin Friday at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 4 at the State House Annex in Trenton.
In interviews and public testimony, Bucco and Testa have maintained that a balanced energy approach — including natural gas, nuclear, and renewables — is key to ensuring affordable, reliable power for New Jersey ratepayers.