By Rosemary Becchi, NJPI President and Founder
As the weather heats up, so will your electricity bill.
Starting June 1, households across New Jersey will see energy rates jump by as much as 20%, just as air conditioners kick into high gear. It’s a familiar—and frustrating—trend for many families. Last summer brought similar hikes, and without major policy changes, the pattern is repeating.
So, what’s driving these increases?
New Jersey’s electricity market is part of the larger PJM Interconnection, which coordinates power generation and distribution across much of the mid-Atlantic. PJM officials have been sounding the alarm: the supply of reliable energy is tightening, and prices are rising as a result. Their message has been clear—without investment in a diverse energy supply, consumers will continue to bear the cost.
Yet despite these warnings, energy policy in New Jersey remains focused on long-term goals without fully accounting for short-term consequences. The state’s Energy Master Plan (EMP) aims to rapidly shift to cleaner energy sources and electrify everything from cars to home heating. But these changes also place added pressure on our already strained grid—raising real questions about affordability and feasibility for everyday New Jerseyans.
Policymakers must ensure the path to a cleaner energy future doesn’t leave ratepayers behind.
A bill now before the legislature—the Energy Security and Affordability Act (S2839)—could be a much-needed step forward. It calls for the Board of Public Utilities to analyze the economic and ratepayer impacts of energy policies and generation projects. That means putting facts and affordability front and center—exactly where they should be.
New Jersey deserves an energy strategy that’s both bold and balanced. The upcoming update to the Energy Master Plan is an opportunity to course-correct—to ensure that our policies account not just for where we want to go, but for how New Jersey families and businesses get there.
At NJPI, we believe in practical, data-driven solutions. Let’s build an energy future that’s reliable, affordable, and sustainable—for everyone.
