There have been widespread calls for hearings to hold the state Public Utilities Commission, the governor and green energy proponents accountable after a surge in home energy bills that has seen bills double or more for many New Jersey residents. [emphasis, links added]
State Sen. Mike Testa of Salem echoed those calls, saying Wednesday that much of the blame lies with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s 2020 “ Energy Master Plan”.
“New Jersey is already one of the most unaffordable states in the United States. Now, people's energy bills have nearly doubled. Look, I know it was a hot July day, But it's not that hot and your energy bill should double,Testa said.
One voter told Testa they raised their thermostat an average of four degrees this summer in hopes of saving money, but Costs are still increasing “significantly.”
Homeowners in suburban Morris County vented the news on a local social media group, and one Parsippany resident questioned The monthly bill is $782.
“Frankly, I think what's happening is that through the Murphy Energy Master Plan, which I often refer to as an energy disaster plan, the BPU (New Jersey Public Utilities Commission) and the Murphy administration appear to be joining forces to pursue this green energy dream. .
“This is what I call an energy disaster plan. This is a green energy nightmarehe said, adding that during the controversy over offshore turbines in New Jersey, BPU officials even wore windmill pins at public events.
In a lengthy statement, the BPU acknowledged having heard from New Jerseyans and offered several potential reasons for the rate increase.
The board noted increases in power generation costs and usage, It asks customers to contact their utility company or board immediately if they notice “anomalies for which no explanation can be determined.” A one-time $175 bill credit program is also available, a board spokesman said.
PJM, an energy transmission company covering much of the mid-Atlantic, also provided data on the matter to Fox News Digital.
PJM research shows Power demand in the region is likely to increase, particularly due to “the proliferation of high-demand data centers” and “Thermal generators are being retired rapidly due to government and private sector policies as well as economic factors.”
Meanwhile, at the federal level, Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew expressed anger at the BPU this week in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, citing “Thousands” of voters find rising bills unaffordable.
“In light of these alarming reports, I am asking the New Jersey State Public Utilities Commission (NJBPU) to hold public hearings in South Jersey to allow residents to express their concerns directly to the commission,” he wrote, adding that the commission also It must be determined whether there is a Correlation between rate hikes and offshore wind turbine operations in the Cape May region.
Van Drew said New Jersey officials must take the situation seriously, rejecting suggestions that an “unusually warm summer” was the only variable.
“We need transparency and accountability from the NJBPU to ensure that the needs and concerns of South Jersey residents are effectively addressed,” he said.
Van Drew has previously pointed out that Danish green power company Ørsted withdrew its windmill plans for the Jersey Shore despite Murphy's full support and taxpayer funding: “They still can't succeed.”
While Murphy's office did not respond to a request for comment, The governor has previously praised his energy master plan's goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy in the Garden State by 2050.
“The Energy Master Plan comprehensively addresses New Jersey's energy system, including power generation, transportation and buildings, and their associated greenhouse gas emissions and related air pollutants,” he said.
In a statement on Tuesday, The Murphy administration emphasized A Residential Energy Assistance Payment (REAP) program that provides financial assistance to thousands of households, BPU quoted the same figure of $175.
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