The New Jersey State Pipe Trades Oppose BPU Regulations to Ban Gas Stoves and Mandate Electric Heating Systems

Statement from Michael K. Maloney, President, New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades:

“The New Jersey Pipe Trades opposes the regulations being considered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities today, as they would ban gas stoves and mandate expensive electric heat for all Garden State homes, buildings and businesses.

As we’ve said before in our opposition to the Governor’s Energy Master Plan, electric heat pumps do not provide enough warmth when it’s cold outside, which will require electric resistance heat as a backup — on top of the exorbitant cost and effort to retrofit homes and other buildings.  Additionally, we have concerns that the Murphy Administration’s broad electrification mandate will put a tremendous strain on our fragile energy grid.

Finally, we share in concerns expressed by Director of the Division of Rate Counsel, Brian Lipman, who states the plan will undoubtedly cost New Jerseyans far more than the $150 million proposed by the BPU. We also agree that BPU’s authority doesn’t extend to the regulation of CO2 emissions and the draft proposal contravenes state law.”

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