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The Latest Updates from New Jersey's Utilities Industry

Written by NJUA News Staff
Published July 22, 2024

Getting to Know: Joey Gurrentz

Joey Gurrentz is the Director of External Affairs for the NJUA, joining the team in early 2024.

 

Tell us about yourself.

I like to dig into technical issues to serve my community, but I also love to have fun! I have devoted my career to leveraging my expertise in energy generation, storage, and distribution technologies. Simultaneously, I have cultivated interests in dance, fencing, piano, growing houseplants, and making cocktails.

How did you get into this field?

As a policy analyst for the State Senate, I worked closely with state legislators, regulators, industry stakeholders, and advocates. After working so productively with the New Jersey Utilities Association and its member companies, I came to learn how central utilities are to the clean energy transition. I am excited to support public policy that provides for affordable, sustainable, reliable, and secure utility service.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your career?

I am proud to have helped develop legislation that will make New Jersey the first state to provide for a comprehensive statewide electric vehicle battery recycling program. 

What are some of the biggest challenges facing the utilities industry this year?

Staying engaged in BPU’s grid modernization efforts, its future of gas proceeding, energy efficiency triennium, energy storage pilot, and other proceedings are all going to keep electric and gas utility companies’ hands full. But it is challenging to make progress when the threat of legislation shifting the goal posts hangs over their heads.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I’m eager to share with State policymakers how New Jersey's electric, gas, water, wastewater, and telecommunications utilities operate. Who doesn't love informed public policy?

How do you relax?

I do like vegging out at home, watching deep dive analysis videos. But I also like going out dancing, trying new restaurants and singing at live band karaoke. It depends on the night!

If you were only allowed to listen to one singer/band for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Spotify says I’m one of the top 0.1% of listeners of the Elder Scrolls Skyrim soundtrack. I tend to just leave it on in the background while I am working.

Can you be found on social media?

Find me on LinkedIn at Joseph Gurrentz, Ph.D. | LinkedIn