Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald Testifies on Rising Utility Costs
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald testified at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ (NJBPU’s) Quarterly Public Meeting. His testimony centered on the rising utility costs facing New Jersey residents and the efforts made by the legislature to find solutions that address these concerns.
“I've served for nearly 30 years in this great House of the Assembly, and I have never needed to testify before, but I am doing so today before your entity because the New Jersey ratepayers are hurting with no relief in sight,” said Majority Leader Greenwald (D-Burlington, Camden). “PJM has failed the New Jersey ratepayers. They knew that data centers and extreme weather would drive up electricity demand, yet instead of preparing, they've left 3,000 clean energy projects stuck in limbo, waiting for approval. PJM has the worst connection times in the nation, and while they stall, New Jersey families have been left footing the bill.”
Majority Leader Greenwald joined Speaker Craig J. Coughlin and other Assembly members in calling for immediate action to address supply constraints, stressing the importance of energy diversification and a modernization of the state’s regulatory framework. The Majority Leader underscored the economic drivers of rising utility costs, citing a 17% surge in demand against just a 1% increase in supply. He ended his remarks by calling on the BPU to take immediate action and work with the legislature to explore all available solutions to lower utility costs.
“We are your partners in this fight, and all options are on the table. Tell us what you need from us in order to deliver this much-needed relief to our residents. However, be aware that we are prepared to move forward on our own.”
Assembly Democrats recently announced plans to hold public hearings with both the Assembly and the Senate to address rising utility costs and examine potential legislative solutions to provide relief to New Jersey families. Those hearings follow numerous bills introduced by Assembly Democrats this past week designed to counteract the rising utility costs.
To read Majority Leader Greenwald’s testimony, click here