By Jack Lohr -

There’s a new bipartisan bill in Congress that will significantly reduce emissions, speed up clean energy, and lower energy costs for us here in New Jersey.

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is a comprehensive package of permitting reforms that was recently introduced in the Senate. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) were at the forefront of bipartisan negotiations, making sure the final product would advance climate goals and support clean energy while maintaining important environmental safeguards.

The Senate is set to take up the bill in early November, and I hope to see New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim support it with a “yes” vote.

This bill is important to Jersey residents because it will:

● Reduce emissions: This legislation will lead to significant emissions reductions, which is absolutely necessary to address climate change. The bill contains strong transmission provisions that can help unlock the enormous amount of clean energy waiting to connect to the grid.

● Speed up clean energy: About 90% of projects stuck in permitting queues are clean energy projects. Reforming the process can help America build and connect clean energy much faster while preserving important environmental safeguards.

● Lower energy costs: More abundant, affordable electricity can help lower energy costs for households and businesses. According to analysis by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, connecting more clean energy could reduce Americans' electricity bills by $19 billion.

A “perfect storm” of climate-exacerbated challenges threatens our state, ranging from drought and wildfires in 2024 to repeated intense downpours and flash-flooding this year. Our electric bills last year increased more than any other state in the country, and just this month New Jersey was part of a federal 13-state power grid emergency declared to reduce the risk of power shortages. And data centers will only make things worse!

Simply put, the status quo isn’t working. It’s not working for the climate, which is changing rapidly. It’s not working for America’s transition to clean energy, which is going much too slowly. And it’s not working for American families, who are struggling with rising electricity costs.

We can all appreciate Sens. Booker and Kim challenge to PJM over rate increases and their support for “unlocking the interconnection queue and lowering electricity prices.” We are grateful for Sen. Kim’s role in securing $1.2 million for flood mitigation on the Passaic River, and Sen. Booker’s inclusion of NJ flood mitigation and water resources provisions in the proposed Water Resources Development Act of 2026.

But we need Congress to go further, and passing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is the right next step.

Jack Lohr is a volunteer coordinator for the Northern New Jersey Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization that empowers everyday people to work together on climate policy. Find out more at cclusa.or