In an op-ed appearing in Patch.com on Wednesday, Assemblywoman Carmen Morales (D-34) recommends New Jersey’s next governor re-evaluate the state’s Energy Master Plan to place a renewed emphasis on affordability as the state makes its energy transition.
“I’ve heard from families and business owners across northern New Jersey who are doing everything right but still feel squeezed by the cost of keeping their homes warm during the winter or cool in the summer, as well as running their storefronts,” Morales wrote. “We have to make sure that energy policy works for them, too.
“Looking ahead, the next governor will have a real opportunity to reset the tone on energy policy. We need leadership that maintains energy supply and keeps costs in check.
“That means using all the tools at our disposal, including existing gas assets, while continuing to push for innovation and emissions reductions.”
The Murphy administration’s Energy Master Plan has actively distanced itself from more affordable and reliable gas energy power as part of climate efforts, which has resulted in an imbalance in New Jersey’s energy supply and demand, leading to a more than 20% increase in energy bills this year.
“For families in places like Belleville, East Orange, and Bloomfield, those bills bring a monthly dose of anxiety,” Morales said. “They take a real toll on household budgets, especially for low-income residents who already face higher rates of energy insecurity.
“And for minority-owned small businesses, like your neighborhood laundromat, barber, or eatery, energy costs can make or break their ability to stay open and keep people employed.
“Gas is deeply embedded in the infrastructure that keeps our homes comfortable and our businesses running,” Morales added. “Shifting away from that reality risks real disruption for families and small businesses alike.
“Rather than sidelining this foundation that supports reliable and affordable energy, we should look at how to build on it, incorporating technologies like carbon capture, hydrogen, and biofuels to make it cleaner and more efficient. These are real solutions, already in development or in use elsewhere. Yet, they’re often left out of the conversation entirely.”
To see Morales' full op-ed in Patch.com, click here.
