TRENTON, N.J. — On Earth Day, Rep. Mikie Sherrill took to social media to explain the expected 20% spike in New Jersey electricity bills this summer, placing the blame squarely on fossil fuel influence over the regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection.
Sherrill said in a series of posts on X that she will continue following Governor Phil Murphy’s green energy agenda if she is elected to office. Like Murphy she also blamed New Jerseyans who opposed offshore wind farms for the impending hike.
In a 10-part thread posted Monday afternoon, the congresswoman said the failure to connect clean energy sources already waiting in line to the grid is fueling the upcoming rate hike. “
If even a fraction of the power available to be connected to the grid had been connected by PJM, we wouldn’t be seeing the devastating price hikes on June 1,” she wrote.
Key Points
- Rep. Mikie Sherrill says big oil influence over PJM is driving up New Jersey electricity prices
- Claims PJM delays are preventing cheaper, cleaner energy from entering the grid
- Vows to hold PJM accountable and streamline clean energy permitting if elected governor
PJM accused of stalling clean energy amid price hike warnings
Sherrill explained that PJM, which coordinates electricity for 13 states including New Jersey, has 268 gigawatts of power waiting to connect — 95% of which is clean energy.
She noted that adding just 7 gigawatts could have significantly reduced prices and improved grid reliability.
According to Sherrill, PJM’s decisions are made “in private, with no accountability,” and are influenced by fossil fuel interests. “Big oil and gas interests have an outsized influence over the decisions of PJM’s board,” she tweeted.
Sherrill also criticized opponents who link rising energy bills to clean energy policies.
She said Texas’s expansion in solar energy proves clean energy doesn’t require climate legislation to succeed.
“Don’t be fooled,” she wrote, pointing to Republicans who, she says, mischaracterize the causes of price increases.
The congresswoman’s comments come amid growing political tension over energy policy, as ratepayers face summer spikes and legislative battles play out in Trenton.
Energy policy at center of gubernatorial pitch
Sherrill, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, closed her thread by vowing to “hold PJM accountable” and expand in-state clean energy if elected. She proposed streamlining solar permitting and using state-owned properties for renewable development.
Her remarks come a day before state utility regulators meet to consider proposals to delay the impact of rate hikes until after the November election — a move Republicans have sharply criticized.
The PJM Interconnection has not responded to Sherrill’s claims as of publication. The organization’s board structure and decision-making process have come under scrutiny from lawmakers and energy advocates in recent years.
Sherrill’s Earth Day message adds a high-profile voice to the growing debate over who’s to blame for New Jersey’s soaring electricity bills.