Governor Sherrill Takes Bold Action Against Corporate Greed, Freezes Utility Rates and Declares Energy Emergency

On her first day in office, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill took a stand for working families by signing two executive orders aimed at curbing the relentless rise in utility costs driven by corporate interests. The first order puts a halt to electricity rate hikes by compelling the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to issue credits that offset upcoming increases and to suspend or modify any utility actions that could further burden residents with higher bills.

The second order recognizes the severity of the situation by declaring a state of emergency on utility costs, launching programs to expand publicly accountable in-state power generation, with a focus on sustainable solutions like solar and battery storage. In a move to ensure energy independence and justice, Sherrill also established a Nuclear Power Task Force to explore new, safe nuclear power generation. The order further instructs state agencies to fast-track permitting for energy projects and demands transparency from electric utilities regarding energy requests from data centers, which often drive up demand and costs.

Governor Sherrill underscored the urgency of these actions, saying, "I’ve heard you, New Jersey — we are facing an affordability crisis, and you want costs to come down. And you want that to begin today." Her words reflect a commitment to the people, not the profits of utility giants.

These measures fulfill Sherrill's campaign promise to challenge the status quo of rising utility costs and represent a step toward a more equitable, affordable New Jersey for all.