Here’s what they’re saying about Murphy’s rate-hike relief plan

With nearly 4 million New Jersey ratepayers dreading pending electricity rate hikes this summer, Gov. Murphy on Thursday announced a plan in which the state government would provide $430 million with “direct economic relief” to New Jersey energy customers. New Jersey ratepayers are facing electric bills that are as much as 20% higher than they were a year ago.  

Here’s what lawmakers, business associations, environmental groups, and movers and shakers are saying about his rate-hike relief plan in their own words.

Gov. Phil Murphy:

“Today, we are coming together to provide critical economic relief to the people of New Jersey by directly lowering the cost of their monthly energy bills. But let me be clear: this is a short-term solution for the people of our state being battered by rising energy costs. Moving forward, we are going to work alongside BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy and our legislative partners to hold PJM accountable for the untenable and unconscionable costs they have forced on our state’s residents. Together, we are going to explore every possible avenue for lowering the cost of energy in the long term to make our state more affordable for more families.”

Senate President Nick Scutari:

“The upcoming spike in utility bills imposed on New Jersey residents is unaffordable and unfair. PJM conducted a deeply flawed energy auction, and its continued incompetence is costing the State. These rate-relief credits will bring more immediate relief to consumers, putting money into their pockets to help offset utility costs. We can’t allow New Jerseyans to be left to shoulder the burden of PJM’s mismanagement.”

State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin:

“As we continue our efforts in the Legislature to ease the burden of utility rate hikes for New Jerseyans, I am encouraged to see Governor Murphy announce these steps to deliver meaningful and immediate relief. The return of the REAP program will provide our most vulnerable residents with sustained monthly support, and through the proposed universal credit, every ratepayer, regardless of income, would see relief. 

“No one should have to choose between cooling their homes in the summer and paying for groceries or medication, and that’s why we will continue our legislative focus on keeping energy costs affordable for the long-term.” 

Senator John Burzichelli: 

“This will provide direct relief to ratepayers to help offset the costly burden of a sudden spike in utility bills imposed on them by a mismanaged PJM power generation auction. This assistance will be a welcomed relief for all ratepayers, but it will be especially helpful for working families and low-income residents who are already struggling to make ends meet. This, however, is not a permanent solution. We must continue to be aggressive in fighting for reforms to the PJM system that caused this crisis in energy costs. We need an energy market that operates effectively, serves the needs of ratepayers, and makes affordability the priority.”   

Senator John McKeon:

“Families across New Jersey are already feeling squeezed by the rising cost of living, and the energy rate hikes will only make the issue of affordability worse. We cannot allow our residents to shoulder this burden alone. Governor Murphy’s plan to provide millions in direct relief to ratepayers will ensure that no one has to choose between putting food on the table and keeping the lights or air conditioning on. I look forward to working with the Board of Public Utilities to get these credits into the hands of the public as soon as possible.”

Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin:

“We know that energy bills can spike in the summer, and families need relief now. The Assembly remains focused on keeping New Jersey affordable. This is the kind of targeted relief that helps while we continue building long-term, sustainable solutions. I appreciate Governor Murphy for putting forward this plan, and I look forward to working together to drive down utility costs.”

David Amanfu, Building Decarbonization Advocate, Climate & Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council:

“There’s no question that today’s announcement by our state leaders to provide direct relief on energy bills will help bring costs down for residents. The Governor is right to take this step, and we look forward to reviewing the details of today’s plan.”

Barbara Blumenthal, Policy Director, ReThink Energy NJ:

“Governor Murphy’s actions today will offer immediate ratepayer relief that will help residents access more affordable cooling amid another long, hot summer. We look forward to working with New Jersey’s leaders to prioritize affordable clean energy solutions that will drive down the cost of electricity.”

NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy:

“Today’s announcement demonstrates what good governance is all about – delivering real results to those who call New Jersey home, and I’m proud of the work the NJBPU has done to make this historic rate relief announcement a reality.”

New Jersey Utilities Association President Richard Henning:

“The New Jersey Utilities Association (NJUA) is a strong supporter of initiatives that drive down the cost of electricity to customers, which includes the one-time utility bill credits announced today.

“The NJUA looks forward to working with the Governor’s office and all key stakeholders to expand energy affordability as we move into the peak summer months. New Jersey continues to benefit from the strong working relationship between our state government and the utilities, as we address the rate hikes driven by higher supply costs stemming from the increasingly high demand on the grid.”

New Jersey Policy Perspective Analyst Alex Ambrose:

“We appreciate that the governor and lawmakers are taking seriously the strain high energy costs place on families, but how we deliver relief matters. Diverting funds from RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) and the Clean Energy Fund risks weakening the very programs that lower long-term costs, strengthen our grid, and create local jobs. 

“Lawmakers should prioritize targeted, sustainable solutions, like expanding the Whole House Pilot, scaling up Community Solar, and extending the Winter Termination Program to support those who need it most — without compromising our clean energy future.”

Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco:

“Whether it’s the deferral of the energy cost or this credit on your bill, the fact remains it doesn’t fix the overarching problem, and it certainly doesn’t go far enough to help the families and small businesses already struggling to afford their utility bills. It simply delays the pain to avoid political fallout in an election year. Kicking the can down the road, giving everyone a credit, or blaming PJM might help with headlines – but it won’t help New Jerseyans in the long term.”

Assemblyman Michael Torrissi:

“The only reason they have money to hand out is because they’ve been quietly stuffing utility bills with hidden charges for years. Now, right before an election, they want credit for giving a little of it back.”

The New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA):

“While we appreciate any efforts to reduce energy costs for New Jersey residents and businesses, and some of the criticisms of PJM we heard may be fair, what we did not hear today from our leadership was the undeniable role New Jersey’s energy policy decisions have played in the energy price increases we face today,” the association said in a statement.  

“…the administration pushed policies that drove up the use of electricity and adopted policies that shut down generation and discouraged the development of clean natural gas facilities and other alternatives such as renewable natural gas.  

“… we have continuously warned that creating policies that set artificial deadlines for actions and discouraging new generation from sources that include natural gas and nuclear will result in much higher energy prices for our residents and businesses. And here we are.”