Our energy system is stuck in the past.
For too long, our government has ignored our aging energy grid, leaving us with decades-old power lines and dirty, expensive power plants. Now, we’re paying for their mistakes—power bills have risen by 20%, and are only expected to get higher.
This is unacceptable. It’s time for politicians to modernize our grid and invest in the future of energy: renewables.
A SIMPLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND PROBLEM
It’s no mystery why our power bills have gone up—it’s basic supply and demand.
In the past few years, our energy supply has not increased as it should have. PJM — the organization that manages the power grid in New Jersey and 12 other states — has approved very few applications for power plants. This is in spite of the hundreds of clean energy project applications they have received. As a result, few new power plants have been built.
At the same time, energy demand has skyrocketed because of data centers, and are forecasted to increase base load demand by 55% by 2030. As big tech companies race to release AI programs, power-hungry data centers are appearing all over New Jersey, and they’re devouring our energy supply. Data centers are almost single-handedly responsible for the huge increase in energy demand.
The supply and demand equation is clear:
higher energy demand + lack of energy supply = higher energy price.
Until we build more power plants, or give less power to data centers, our bills will get higher and higher.
RENEWABLE ENERGY IS THE FUTURE
To lower power bills, we need more power plants. This is a challenge— but it’s also an opportunity. By investing in renewable energy infrastructure, we could simultaneously lower power bills and modernize our energy system.
Advantages of Renewable Energy:
- Affordable: Renewable energy is already the cheapest on the market, and will only get cheaper as technology improves.
- Abundant: Renewables produce energy through effectively infinite sources, like the sun. Embracing renewables could make oil and gas drilling a thing of the past.
- Independent: Renewables are the only way for a country to achieve long-term energy independence. Fossil fuel power plants need a constant supply of oil and gas, which usually requires imports from foreign countries. Renewables don’t have this problem.
- Clean: After construction, renewables create zero emissions. This makes them healthier for local communities, and crucial in the fight against climate change.
Renewables Are Not a Pipe Dream
Renewables are under constant attack from the current presidential administration, who claim that they don’t work, are expensive, and are only supported by woke environmentalists.
These attacks are at odds with reality. If renewables don’t work, then how has China already built enough solar and wind energy to power the entire United States? If only environmentalists want renewables, then why is Texas leading the country in renewable energy production?
Community solar project in Berkeley Township
Photo: https://njbiz.com/nj-community-solar-program-expansion-2025/
Photo: https://www.integrityenergy.com/blog/the-top-10-states-paving-the-way-to-a-sustainable-energy-future/
The real reason renewables are under attack is because they threaten fossil fuel companies and the billionaires who profit from them. Companies like Chevron and Shell have spent billions spreading disinformation about climate change, as climate action would hurt their bottom line. Now that climate change is widely accepted, they’ve started spreading disinformation about renewables. It’s the same playbook, just a different target.
A Wind Farm in China
Photo: https://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0506/c90000-20015115.html
POLICIES WE SUPPORT
Requires BPU to establish distributed energy storage incentive program
Energy storage systems make our power grid reliable, flexible, and better equipped for a clean energy transition. By providing incentives for energy storage systems, this bill prepares New Jersey for a better energy future.
Requires BPU to study and implement methods to allow additional distributed energy sources into the grid
Distributed energy sources, like solar power, have the potential to greatly improve our energy system. But this potential can’t be realized until New Jersey fixes its power grid and energy rules. This bill instructs the BPU to research short-term solutions to energy problems, which will allow more distributed energy resources to come online.
Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act
This bill establishes a framework for greenhouse gas emissions reporting to help communities and investors understand climate risk from companies doing business in NJ
Divest state pensions from fossil fuel companies
Renewables are the future of energy. So why is our pension invested in the past? Our government has a financial and a social obligation to divest from fossil fuels and invest in new renewable projects.
