PARAMUS BOROUGH, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer hosted a roundtable Monday with energy leaders to discuss ways to lower utility costs for New Jersey families and small businesses.
The roundtable, held at Bergen County Community College, included the NJ Energy Policy Coalition and representatives from several energy and labor organizations.
Gottheimer, D-N.J., called for what he described as an all-of-the-above energy approach that includes nuclear power, natural gas and renewable energy.
Electric bills in New Jersey have increased 45% over the past two years, according to Gottheimer’s office. This year, the average residential customer has seen monthly electric bills rise between 17% and 20%. Gas heating rates also increased 16% last fall, and gas prices have risen more than 34% since the start of the conflict in Iran, according to his office.
“Energy isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity, and Jersey families shouldn’t be punished just for keeping the lights on,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “We need an all-of-the-above approach: nuclear, natural gas, and renewables. We need to cut the red tape, hold the system accountable, and make sure families aren’t getting squeezed every time they flip on a light switch.”
During the roundtable, Gottheimer discussed federal energy policy priorities, including permitting reform, interstate transmission construction, grid expansion and reliability, and efforts to provide more immediate relief for families.
“There’s a false choice out there — the idea that we have to sacrifice our climate goals to get enough energy. That’s just not true,” Gottheimer continued. “The U.S. is at its lowest carbon emissions in nearly 30 years, because we shifted from coal to natural gas and renewables. We can build more power and lower emissions at the same time.The question is what more we can do — and that’s exactly what this roundtable was about. I’m taking what we discussed today back to Washington, and I’m going to come back with real solutions.”
Participants included the NJ Energy Policy Coalition, PJM Interconnection, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Public Service Enterprise Group, the New Jersey Energy Marketers Group, Riggs Distler and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 94.
