GOVERNOR MURPHY EARNS AN OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL GRADE OF B FROM NEW JERSEY LCV FOLLOWING FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

TRENTON, NJ – As Governor Phil Murphy delivers the final State of the State address of his administration, the New Jersey LCV released its final assessment of his environmental record, recognizing meaningful progress while underscoring unfinished business that prevented New Jersey from fully realizing its environmental and climate leadership potential.

Governor Murphy earned an “A” during his first term and a “B-” during his second term from New Jersey LCV, resulting in an overall grade of “B.” The grades reflect strong vision and early leadership on clean energy, conservation, and environmental justice, paired with slower implementation and key goals that were never fully codified into law in the second half of his administration, although key progress was still made.

Governor Murphy entered office with one of the most ambitious climate agendas in the nation and made significant strides, including advancing offshore wind goals early in his administration, reentering into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and enacting first in the nation landmark environmental justice legislation. However, New Jersey ultimately fell short of locking in a 100% clean energy by 2035 target into statute, a step environmental advocates view as critical to maintaining long-term momentum and accountability.

“Governor Murphy changed the trajectory of environmental policy in New Jersey and deserves credit for restoring science, ambition, and equity to the governor’s office,” said Allison McLeod, Deputy Director, New Jersey LCV. “That’s why his first term earned an ‘A.’ But ambition alone isn’t enough. Failing to codify our state’s clean energy goals into law was a missed opportunity to lower costs and create good local union jobs, and it’s one reason his overall grade lands at a ‘B.’ Other states like Illinois are now leapfrogging the early clean energy progress Governor Murphy made, and New Jersey should be setting the pace — not struggling to keep up.”

The governor also faced significant external challenges, particularly on offshore wind, where progress was slowed by federal interference and regulatory uncertainty during the Trump administration. While those headwinds were real, advocates note that delays and mixed signals in later years further complicated the state’s ability to deliver projects on the timeline originally promised.

“Offshore wind was supposed to be a cornerstone of New Jersey’s 100% clean energy future, and Governor Murphy fought to make it one in his first term,” said Jesse Sutherland, Policy and Political Director of New Jersey LCV. “The Trump administration put up real roadblocks, but the lesson going forward is that New Jersey needs climate policies that are durable, aggressive, and protected from political whiplash, because the climate crisis won’t wait.”

New Jersey LCV emphasized that Governor Murphy’s tenure laid a strong foundation, particularly in contrast to prior administrations, but stressed that the next chapter of climate leadership must move faster and be anchored in law, not just executive action.

As the governor closes out his administration, New Jersey LCV reaffirmed its commitment to working with state leaders to ensure New Jersey enacts enforceable clean energy timelines, fully delivers on offshore wind, and once again leads the nation in climate action and environmental protection.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD

KEY ACTIONS AND OUTCOMES

ACCOMPLISHED ACTIONS

Foundational Climate and Environmental Leadership

Re-entered New Jersey into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Issued an Executive Order banning fracking in the Delaware River Basin

Opposed and helped halt the PennEast pipeline

Signed the 2018 Clean Energy Act, raising the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50% by 2030 and requiring a 2% annual reduction in electric and natural gas use

Enacted nation-leading Environmental Justice cumulative impacts law in 2020 with regulations finalized in 2023

Implemented the 2022 single-use plastic bag ban, among the strongest in the nation

Advanced NJDEP enforcement actions and litigation against PFAS polluters

Enacted NJ Protecting Against Climate Threats regulations

Made appointments to key Boards and Commissions charged with protecting natural resources

Executive Order to set a goal of 100% Clean Energy by 2035

Dedicated funding for NJ Transit and Open Space

Restored and strengthened state’s authority for State Planning and Water Infrastructure

Enacted Water Quality and PFAS Protections including upgrading stormwater permitting and nation leading drinking water standards

PJM price cap and market reforms

Expansion of solar, community solar, and battery storage programs

ACTIONS NOT COMPLETED OR FALLING SHORT

Insufficient NJDEP Staffing and Capacity

Codify 100% Clean Energy by 2035 into Law

Support and codification of Offshore Wind goals

Diversions of the Clean Energy Fund

Failure to adopt Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS) reforms

Allow for unnecessary and dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure, including the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline (NESE) and Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) fossil fuel project