Gov. Sherrill nominates energy expert Ben Hertz-Shargel to lead NJ Board of Public Utilities
TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill has nominated energy policy expert Ben Hertz-Shargel to serve as a commissioner on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and plans to appoint him as board president upon Senate confirmation.
The nomination comes as the Sherrill administration pursues an energy affordability agenda aimed at lowering utility costs, increasing energy supply and addressing rising energy prices across the state.
Hertz-Shargel would succeed Christine Guhl-Sadovy as president of the cabinet-level agency. Guhl-Sadovy, who has served as BPU president since September 2023, will remain on the board as a commissioner.
“I am thrilled to nominate Ben Hertz-Shargel to lead the Board of Public Utilities and drive our affordability agenda. Ben brings a rare combination of technical expertise, leadership experience, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our energy system. The Board of Public Utilities will play a central role in our efforts to lower energy costs for families, strengthen reliability, increase accountability, and implement an all-of-the-above energy strategy that supports economic growth, and Ben is the right leader to oversee this critical work,” said Governor Sherrill. “I also want to thank President Christine Guhl-Sadovy for her leadership over the last several years, especially over the last six months. She has served New Jersey with dedication, distinction, and a strong commitment to the public interest, and I am grateful for her continued service as a Commissioner.”
The governor announced the nomination Friday, noting that the BPU will play a key role in implementing policies outlined in Executive Orders No. 1 and No. 2, which declared a state of emergency on utility costs, froze certain rate increases and accelerated efforts to expand energy resources.
Hertz-Shargel currently serves as Global Head of Grid Edge at Wood Mackenzie, where he advises companies on grid modernization, electrification, distributed energy resources and emerging energy technologies.
“It is an honor to be nominated by Governor Sherrill to serve the people of New Jersey,” said Ben Hertz-Shargel. “At a time when families and businesses are being crushed by rising utility costs over the past few years, New Jersey is charting a new path forward and, with Governor Sherrill’s leadership, is poised to lead the nation on smart, responsible energy policy. I look forward to working with Governor Sherrill, my fellow commissioners, utilities, consumer advocates, labor partners, and communities across the state to deliver reliable utility service and advance energy policies that are affordable, accountable, and responsive to the needs of New Jerseyans.”
Before joining Wood Mackenzie, Hertz-Shargel held leadership positions at Rhythm and EnergyHub, where he worked on demand response technology, grid services and utility-related analytics.
He also serves as a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center and holds advisory roles with several energy and environmental organizations.
Hertz-Shargel earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Northwestern University, a master’s degree in mathematics from New York University and a doctorate in mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles.
The nomination is subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate.
