Bucco Warns that Murphy’s Energy Plan Will Be Financially Devastating as More Households Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Senator Anthony M. Bucco warned that the extreme cost of Governor Phil Murphy’s green energy plan could be devastating for a growing number of New Jerseyans as a new report shows more households are living paycheck to paycheck.

“Sadly, the United Way’s latest report is yet more proof that millions of New Jersey families are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Bucco (R-25). “When nearly four in ten New Jersey households cannot afford basic necessities like housing, child care, food and clothing, it should be clear that the higher costs that will come with the governor’s extreme energy plan will be devastating. We have millions of young adults, families, and retirees who can’t afford the double-digit increases in their energy bills or the massive expense of replacing affordable gas appliances and cars as Governor Murphy is pushing.”

According to the United Way of Northern New Jersey, 11% of Garden State households were living below the poverty line in 2021, while another 26% struggled to afford basic necessities. In total, 37% of New Jersey households were considered below the asset limited, income constrained, and employed threshold (ALICE), often referred to as living paycheck to paycheck.

Consumer advocates have warned that the transition to green energy that Governor Murphy is pushing will lead to significantly higher energy bills and require massive conversion costs in the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars.

“We’re concerned that Governor Murphy’s extreme energy master plan will put an astronomical financial burden on households that are barely getting by,” Bucco added. “The governor’s goal of fully electrifying the state by 2035 is unrealistic and will put even more families and retirees at risk of falling behind.”