TRENTON, N.J. – By approving controversial measures this summer pushing building owners to convert from natural gas to electric heat, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is teaming up with Gov. Phil Murphy to advance his green energy goals despite public outcry. Are the five government-appointed commissioners at BPU and Murphy coming for your gas stoves? Assembly Republicans think so and Reina Smrdelj, a legislative analyst in Trenton, explains why.
Murphy aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050 by installing zero-carbon-emission heating and cooling systems in 400,000 homes and 20,000 commercial properties by 2030 and banning gas-powered vehicle sales in New Jersey by 2035. To ensure New Jersey meets these targets, some incentives have become mandates, which is fueling concerns over costs and consumer choice. One independent nonprofit estimated the governor’s lofty energy ambitions will cost New Jerseyans $1.4 trillion.
Watch more videos in the <Three series on the Assembly Republican Office’s YouTube channel.