Energy Matters

Energy Matters, sponsored by New Jersey Policy Institute, is a 30-minute public affairs show focused on New Jersey’s evolving energy landscape, challenges, and future. Airing on the streaming platform ONNJ, guests include lawmakers, policy leaders, elected officials and other Garden State stakeholders.

Every episode of Energy Matters dives into the heart of New Jersey’s most pressing energy challenges—from soaring summer electric bills to stalled development projects—and uncovers real-world solutions that make power more affordable and equitable statewide. The show is hosted by media and public affairs expert Jeanette Hoffman.

Watch our episodes below!

Season 2

Episode 1: January 23, 2026

Guests:

Matt Fazelpoor – Reporter, NJBIZ

Neel Brown – Progressive Policy Institute

John Donnadio – Executive Director, New Jersey Association of Counties

Episode 2: February 9, 2026

Guests:

Mike Giunta – Owner of Bayway Catering

Jim Kirkos – President of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce

Eric Blomgren – Energy Marketers Group

Episode 3: February 26, 2026

Guests:

Greg Lalevee – International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825

Tracy Straka – Chairwoman of the Environmental Business Council

Brent Johnson – Reporter for NJ.com and Author of the “Mikie’s World” newsletter

Episode 4: March 16, 2026

Guests:

Senator Anthony Bucco – Senate Republican Leader

Matt Hale – Seton Hall University Professor

Dennis Hart – Chemistry Council of New Jersey

Episode 5: March 23, 2026

Guests:

Matthew Gonzales – National Hispanic Energy Council

Lauren Thomas – PSE&G

Episode 6: April 20, 2026

Guests:

Senator Latham Tiver

Zilvinas Silenas – Empire Center for Public Policy

Episode 7: April 30, 2026

Guests:

Dan Cassino – Director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll

Laura Perotta- President of New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers

Episode 8: June 9, 2026

Guests:

Former Senate President Steve Sweeney
Assemblyman Mike Inganamort
Ross Connolly – Northeast Regional Director, Americans for Prosperity

Episode 9: June 16, 2026

In this special episode of Energy Matters, presented by the New Jersey Policy Institute, host Jeanette Hoffman goes on the road to New Mexico, where West Coast Correspondent Sayuri Yamada reports from the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Energy Summit. Through interviews with policy leaders, industry experts, and key stakeholders, the episode explores the ideas and priorities shaping America’s energy future—from innovation and infrastructure to economic growth and affordability.

Episode 10: July 9, 2026

In the first episode of our new Made in America series, host Jeanette Hoffman examines how New Jersey can grow its manufacturing sector and create more high-quality jobs.

Peter Connolly, CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, shares insights from the latest State of the Manufacturing Industry Report, while State Senator Michael Testa discusses the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program and the policies needed to make New Jersey more competitive.

Watch for a conversation on the challenges, opportunities, and future of manufacturing in the Garden State.

Episode 11: July 14, 2026

Energy Matters continues its Made in America series with a visit to the ExxonMobil Lubricants Plant in Paulsboro, New Jersey.

Host Jeanette Hoffman sits down with Plant Manager Raul Sanchez, Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, and United Way of Gloucester County Executive Director Dr. Dan Jurman to discuss manufacturing, energy, jobs, and the important role the Paulsboro facility plays in the South Jersey community.

Episode 11: July 29, 2026

In this episode of Energy Matters, host Jeanette Hoffman examines rising electricity costs, the renewed push for nuclear power, natural gas investment, and the debate over Climate Superfund legislation.

She sits down with Maggie Mick, Vice President of MultiState and host of The Political Life Podcast, to discuss how states are approaching affordable and reliable energy, the role of nuclear and natural gas, grid reliability, and the impact energy policy has on consumers, businesses, and American manufacturing.

Then, Ray Cantor of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) discusses the organization’s “Rethink RGGI” campaign and its proposal to reduce carbon emissions while lowering energy costs for New Jersey ratepayers.

Episode 13: August 24, 2026

In this episode of Energy Matters, host Jeanette Hoffman explores two forces shaping New Jersey’s future: local food systems and the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence.

First, Joseph Lababrera of Warren County Community College discusses the Jersey Protein Initiative, a plan to raise livestock, process it, train the workforce, and sell protein right here in the Garden State.

Then, MJ Durkin, COO of TechUnited NJ, examines AI’s potential to create more opportunity than it displaces and how New Jersey can support AI growth and data centers without overburdening ratepayers. The conversation covers reliable power, opportunities for small businesses, and the policy choices needed to keep New Jersey competitive.

Watch our episodes below!

Season 1

Episode 1: July 2, 2025

Guests:

Rosemary Becchi – NJPI President and Founder

Yazminelly Gonzalez – Trenton City Council President

Senator Anthony Bucco, Jr. – Senate Minority Leader

Dr. Denise Anderson – Board Member, African American Chamber of Commerce

Episode 2: July 17, 2025

Guests:

Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo – Chairman of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee

Mike DuHaime – President, MAD Global Strategy

Christina Renna – CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Southern NJ

Commissioner Melanie Collette – Cape May County

Episode 3: August 11, 2025

Guests:

Tom Bergeron – Senior Editor, BINGE

Greg Lalevee – Business Manager Local 825, International Union of Operators and Engineers

Dan Cassino – Executive Director of FDU Poll

Episode 4: August 21, 2025

Guests:

Dunellen Mayor Jason Cilento – President of the NJ Conference of Mayors

Senator Declan O’Scanlon

Eileen Kean – State Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, NJ Chapter

Commissioner John Lanza – Hunterdon County

Episode 5: September 15, 2025

Guests:

Jack Ciattarelli – Republican Candidate for New Jersey Governor
Elissa Frank – President of the New Jersey Civil Justice Institute
Rich Henning – President & CEO of the NJ Utilities Association

Episode 6: September 26, 2025

Guests:

Erick Ford – New Jersey Energy Policy Coalition

Alyssa Frank – New Jersey Civil Justice Institute

Tim White – President of NJACRE and board member of the Meadowlands Chamber

Episode 7: October 13, 2025

Guests:

Senator Vin Gopal

Patrick Migliaccio – SVP and COO of New Jersey Natural Gas

Anthony Russo – President of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey

Episode 8: November 24, 2025

Guests:

Anne Bedarf – Director of Global Packaging at Colegate-Palmolive

Greg Costa – Senior Director of the Consumer Brands Association

Recorded at the NJBIA Energy & Environmental Policy Forum

Episode 9: December 6, 2025

Guests:

Michele Siekerka, Esq. – President & CEO, NJBIA

Senator Jon Bramnick

Assemblyman William Spearman, Chair of the Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Episode 10: December 19, 2025

Guests:

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie
Erik Anderson – Monmouth County Commissioner
Jesse Lee – Senior Advisor, Climate Power