For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie Greger, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Environmental Advocates & Legislative Champions Call for Passage of 100% Clean Energy Bill to Bring Costs Down during Lame Duck
With time running out in the legislative session, environmental champions in the Legislature joined with advocates from across the state to ask the legislature to advance historic legislation that would permanently lower spiking electricity prices by moving New Jersey toward 100% clean energy.
The New Jersey Energy Leadership Act would put New Jersey on the path to 100% clean electricity by 2035. This landmark legislation is designed to lower electricity costs and create union jobs by quickly bringing locally produced renewable energy online to respond to the growing energy affordability crisis.
The press conference came a day after the most recent energy auction hosted by PJM, our multi-state electricity grid operator, which saw prices rise even higher, hitting the negotiated price cap for a second auction in a row.
“Just yesterday, we saw energy rates spike even higher for working families already struggling to afford rising health insurance and grocery costs,” said New Jersey LCV Executive Director, Ed Potosnak. “The Energy Leadership Act is the strongest tool we have to stand up to dirty fossil fuels and provide long-term relief for New Jersey. The Legislature must respond to this growing crisis by locking in a clean energy future now.”
“The New Jersey Energy Leadership Act is a critical opportunity for legislators to deliver on affordability for families across the state. We are facing unprecedented demand for energy as data centers come online and our grid operator, PJM, fails to keep up, putting the cost burden onto ratepayers. Clean energy is the cheapest, fastest, and healthiest way to meet this new demand and this landmark legislation would ensure that New Jersey secures in statute a more reliable and affordable energy future,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, NJ Sierra Club Director.
“Let’s get it done now! The more renewable projects that get done sends a message that this is a major goal for New Jersey and local governments too,” said Senator Bob Smith (D-Somerset). “Take a look at your energy bill. It’s hard to write the check. Renewable energy can and will make a difference.”
"Energy demands and prices are escalating fast in New Jersey. Clean energy is the fastest and least expensive type of energy we can build and bring to market for New Jersey residents and businesses," said Jennifer M. Coffey, ANJEC Executive Director. "Today, we are asking the Legislature to take action in the waning days of this session to pass the Clean Energy Leadership Act and send it to Governor Murphy’s desk for his signature."
“This is a defining moment for our state. Climate change is not some far-off threat—we already feel its effects as it devastates our communities with more frequent storms, extreme heat, and rising sea levels,” said Senator Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). “Governor Murphy’s vision for 100% clean energy by 2035 is an ambitious, yet necessary goal for New Jersey to mitigate these negative effects and help create a more sustainable planet. I commend the New Jersey LCV and Sierra Club for leading the charge on this front.”
“Our communities that are disproportionately burdened by pollution are experiencing energy rates 20% higher than the national average, and these are rising fast. The most cost-effective way to keep energy affordable is by expanding clean energy solutions. Families shouldn’t be choosing between holiday celebrations and heat. NJ families deserve to live in healthy communities where they can thrive, and clean energy is a pathway there.” Said Laura Fester Rothschild, Isles Chief Operations Officer.
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey