On Monday, May 20 the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) provided comments at the first of four public hearings on the 2024 New Jersey Energy Master Plan (“EMP”).

The hearings, which were conducted virtually by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), allowed stakeholders to weigh in on the original 2019 EMP and Governor Murphy’s more aggressive renewable energy goals, which were announced last year, before the state releases an updated version of the EMP.

In testimony, the CCSNJ commended the Governor for his ambitious goals to achieve 100 percent clean energy in New Jersey by 2035 but continued to stress the importance of identifying the cost impacts of the plan’s implementation, as well as the need for energy diversity in the state.

Of the CCSNJ’s more than 1,200 member companies, we are proud to have members in wind, hydrogen and solar energy production, as well as most of the traditional public utilities and both nuclear power plants as active members. During the hearing, the CCSNJ stated that the varying types of energy companies reflected in our membership should mirror the diversity of the next iteration of the EMP – one that focuses on renewable energy, but also acknowledges the importance of other energy sources and the role they play in the state’s energy landscape. Additionally, the CCSNJ went on to explain that the more options residents and businesses have as it relates to energy production in New Jersey, the more affordable energy costs will be.

Thanks to member feedback, the CCSNJ was able to specifically highlight:

·    Continued strong support of the wind energy industry and its production in New Jersey.

·    The need for transmission investment to ensure a reliable electric grid in New Jersey.

·    Natural gas as a necessary component of the state’s energy landscape and the risks of widespread electrification to displace natural gas, both environmentally and economically.

·    The need for renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen to be recognized in future iterations of the EMP.

·    Nuclear energy to be recognized far more broadly in the EMP.

·    Continued support of solar development, especially at unproductive or underutilized sites.

Finally, the CCSNJ noted its disappointment that there is still no clear estimate on what the cost of EMP implementation will be. Energy costs impact competitiveness and are a key factor in a business’s location and profitability. The CCSNJ supports the goals of the EMP to move the state forward on its path to a clean energy future, however transparency in cost is essential to ensuring the success of the implantation of that plan. 

 To read the CCSNJ’s full testimony, click here.

 Special thanks to Katz Government Affairs LLC for their assistance at this public hearing.