On Wednesday, February 15, Governor Phil Murphy signed three Executive Orders that set new clean energy goals. These Executive Orders include an accelerated target of 100 percent clean energy by 2035 – 15 years sooner than the initial goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050, a goal of installing zero-carbon-emission heating and cooling systems by 2030, and a ban on the sale of gasoline-fueled vehicles by 2035.

Executive Order No. 315 sets the accelerated target of 100 percent clean energy by 2035. As written, the goal is defined as 100 percent of the electricity sold in New Jersey is to come from clean sources by January 1, 2035.

Additionally, Executive Order No. 316 sets a target to install zero-carbon-emission space heating and cooling systems in 400,000 homes and 20,000 commercial properties. The Order also creates a goal that 10 percent of all low-to-moderate income (LMI) properties be electrification-ready by 2030.

Finally, Executive Order No. 317 initiates a process to partner with the state’s utilities, and stakeholders to plan for the Future of the Natural Gas Utility in New Jersey.

The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) remains concerned about the cost of electrification, which has never been quantified by state government officials, as well as the accelerated timeline. As we have historically, the CCSNJ looks forward to participating in the stakeholder process and weighing in on the above proposals.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) also announced it will begin a series of public engagement sessions on these new initiatives. The first session will be an open virtual meeting on March 7, 2023, at 11:00 am, which will be held via Microsoft Teams. During this meeting, the NJDEP will provide a recap of its first phase of Climate Pollutant Reduction (CPR) rules and introduce topics – including Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) – on which NJDEP will be seeking stakeholder feedback.

 To read the Governor's press release on his new clean energy goals, click here.