New Jersey Gov. Murphy sets new clean energy goals for the state
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced a series of new and accelerated clean energy targets and commitments, including one that would require the state to generate 100 percent clean energy by 2035.
Speaking at Rutgers University, Murphy said the new, accelerated target means that by Jan. 1, 2025, 100 percent of the electricity sold in the state has to come from clean sources. It was just one of the initiatives he announced this week at Rutgers.
Murphy also set a target to install zero-carbon-emission space heating and cooling systems in 400,000 homes and 20,000 commercial properties and make 10 percent of all low-to-moderate income (LMI) properties electrification-ready by 2030. The governor also launched a plan to allocate $70 million in unobligated Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds toward lowering consumer upfront costs for medium- and heavy-duty EV adoption. In addition, he initiated a process to require all new cars and light-duty truck sales to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035. Finally, he outlined a plan to provide enhanced flood protection for homeowners, businesses, and infrastructure against increased flooding in riverine and coastal areas.
“These bold targets and carefully crafted initiatives signal our unequivocal commitment to swift and concrete climate action today,” Murphy said. “We’ve turned our vision for a greener tomorrow into a responsible and actionable roadmap to guide us, and it’s through that pragmatic, evidence-based approach that we will ultimately arrive at our destination. Combined with our federal partnerships reinforced through the Inflation Reduction Act, these comprehensive initiatives will better protect and prepare every New Jersey community, including those on the front lines of climate change who have previously been left out and left behind.”
The initiatives drew praise from various stakeholders, including energy company PSEG.
“We commend the Governor’s vision for a clean energy future,” PSEG Chair, President and CEO Ralph LaRossa said. “As we manage the impacts of climate change, it is imperative that we work together to decarbonize and transition to the energy systems of tomorrow while continuing to prioritize reliability and affordability. Clean energy, electrification of transportation, and the continued modernization of infrastructure can expand economic growth, foster the diverse workforce of tomorrow and provide equal access for all to these benefits – regardless of geography or economic circumstances.”
