Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) has voiced opposition to a reported plan by Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats for a legislative push toward a 100% renewable energy mandate in New Jersey. According to a statement released by Bucco, this move would reinforce an energy agenda that he says has already led to higher energy bills and instability in the power grid.
“Trenton Democrats’ top-down mandate for 100% renewable energy is the absolute wrong direction if we want to lower energy costs for New Jersey families and businesses,” said Sen. Bucco. “This will only widen the gap between New Jersey’s demand and supply, pushing prices even higher and further threatening our grid’s reliability.”
Bucco pointed to current impacts of existing policies, stating: “We’re seeing the consequences of how these hyper-partisan energy policies play out in real time and Democrats STILL want to force their fantasy agenda—it is absolutely outrageous. Businesses can’t compete or sustain jobs, seniors are being forced to choose between buying medicines or paying electric bills, and low-income families are struggling to make ends meet. If you’re looking for an answer to why your energy bills are so high, look no further. Trenton Democrats have learned nothing from their failed energy policies.”
Earlier this year, non-partisan experts testified during legislative hearings that the administration’s approach could continue to increase costs and put grid reliability at risk.
“Having seen the impact of this Administration’s policies and then proposing to wait until after the election to jam through a radical plan that will jack up energy rates even higher is appalling. Trenton Democrats need to stop making decisions based on ideology and start listening to the voices of our regulated utilities, bipartisan energy experts, and the engineers who run our power grid,” Bucco added.
Bucco also criticized a proposal for New Jersey to leave its current 13-state regional power grid in favor of creating a state-run system. He argued that such a move could result in more political influence over grid management.
“The solution is simple: we need a responsible, balanced energy strategy that embraces a diversified portfolio of nuclear, natural gas, and renewables to ensure affordability, reliability, and environmental stewardship,” Bucco concluded.
