“I want to thank the members of the Joint Committee for bringing together all segments of the energy industry to demand solutions. The message from New Jerseyans has been clear at all levels of government. They want us to focus on kitchen table issues. And they've told us that, frankly, it's too damn expensive to live in New Jersey.

“That's why we have been laser-focused on doing everything we can to make life more affordable: funding historic and record-breaking property tax relief, expanding prescription drug assistance, helping with the cost of college and paying student loans. But now we face another challenge, making sure utility costs are affordable.

“The Legislature has done its part. In 2018, we rescued the state’s nuclear energy sector, stabilized the solar market, and incentivized the offshore wind industry. Unfortunately, because of the failure by PJM Interconnection, a private corporation which New Jersey and a consortium of other states rely on for energy, we find ourselves in the mess we are in today.

“PJM, which acts in secrecy, and not in the best interests of consumers, ignored the obviously increasing need for power and left itself and all of its members short of the necessary energy to drive our economy. We simply don't create enough energy here in New Jersey to power everything we need. Worse yet, our state’s future economic viability and competitiveness are at stake. Twenty-first century industries need energy, lots of it, and they are going to locate jobs where it exists.

“Here’s the truth, we cannot and should not rely on other states to continue importing one-third of our energy. And the Board of Public Utilities must provide better oversight and vision.

“I commend the BPU’s recent actions to expand our successful community solar program, but we must do more. We must also promulgate rules for a battery storage program without any further delay and consider other alternatives, especially in light of the fact that the wind energy program, which would have provided substantial power, will not become a reality under the Trump Administration.

“I challenge our utility companies to do more. We cannot allow a 20% utility bill increase. They need to do their part to help consumers. They also need to exert their influence with PJM, as voting members. The utility companies should use that authority to force PJM to act in the best interests of the ratepayers and demand transparency. We need an “all of the above” approach that produces more energy and supports new jobs on our terms.

“To my colleagues, let’s make solving this challenge a bipartisan issue. There’s no time for a partisan blame game.

“I have said it once and I will say it again, no option should be off the table in this discussion. The brainpower, the resources, and the willpower exist to meet this challenge. We have met tough battles before and we will do it again.”