SC Supports Fiordaliso Nomination- Moving Forward for BPU

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to move BPU President Fiordaliso’s nomination. He has served as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) since 2005 when he was nominated by Governor Richard Cody and confirmed by the Senate.  In 2011 and 2013, President Fiordaliso was re-nominated by Governor Chris Christie and confirmed by the Senate to continue as Commissioner of the NJBPU.

 “President Fiordaliso has been working to turn the BPU around with his leadership and is moving forward with Governor Murphy’s clean energy agenda. He is an outstanding leader for the BPU. He believes in climate change and knows we have to act but we have concerns and disagreements with him, especially with fossil fuels and the nuclear subsidy. Fiordaliso has more on his plate than other agencies when it comes to carrying out a green agenda whether is it rewriting the Energy Master Plan, rules for energy efficiency, energy storage or fixing the solar program and making offshore wind a reality. said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Fiordaliso does what the Murphy Administration wants where we sometimes agree and sometimes disagree. We have concerns with BPU’s and Murphy’s agenda for nuclear and natural gas. However, we support his nomination and believe he should continue to lead the BPU.”

Joseph Fiordaliso was born and raised in the ironbound-section of Newark, New Jersey. He began his political career in 1988, serving on the Livingston Township Council for three terms, including three times as Mayor. In 1990 he was appointed as director of planning and economic development by the Essex County Executive.

“President Fiordaliso has shown leadership on offshore wind for New Jersey in particular. Our concern is that he still thinks that natural gas is a bridge fuel when it is instead a bridge to climate calamity. He has  worked diligently to push through a nuclear subsidy despite having his own staff recommend against it.  The delay on the Energy Master Plan and putting together stakeholder meetings on energy efficiency are taking too long and both need to be moving quickly. BPU also has to deal with the rate cases for PSE&G and Energy Strong. Fiordaliso is a strong ally on Governor Murphy’s agenda and does the administration wants. Even though I have known Joe for a long time and respect his professionalism and competence, these issues raise concern,” said Tittel.

In New Jersey there are 13 proposed fossil fuel projects that would if combined, would increase GHG’s by 32%.  The BPU have not put a stay on the Southern Reliability Link (SRL). They cannot withdraw their approval for South Jersey Gas pipeline until the Pinelands Commission acts. However the agency has been inactive on other projects like the Meadowlands Powerplant.

“President Fiordaliso is a good appointment because he is fair, and we can always talk to him. However the BPU has failed to deal with the 8 proposed natural gas pipelines and 5 powerplants. We have asked the agency for a stay on the SRL pipeline, but the BPU have yet to do so. These projects will undermine any change of getting to 100% renewable energy.  Fiordaliso will never achieve Murphy’s clean energy goals unless he puts a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects in New Jersey,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.