From the NJ Senate Republican News

On Monday, Trenton Democrats struck down amendments proposed by multiple Senate Republicans designed to help reduce energy bills as New Jersey families brace for the 20% hike in electricity prices that are now in effect.

Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25), along with Senators Michael Testa (R-1), Holly Schepisi (R-39), Robert Singer (R-30), and Joe Pennacchio (R-26), offered a series of what they called ‘thoughtful amendments designed to provide immediate financial relief for Garden State residents and ensure greater transparency from PJM, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), energy providers, and the Democrat’s failed energy agenda.”

Senator Bucco, a member of the Select Committee on rising energy rates, proposed an amendment to SJR154 to expand the scope of proposed investigations into rising energy rates to include the BPU, rather than leaving the investigation in the BPU’s hands—which he identified as a major source of the problem.

“During the Select Committee hearing on rising energy costs, we heard numerous stakeholders and experts who clearly said the policies coming out of Trenton are contributing to our energy shortage and subsequent skyrocketing energy bills,” said Sen. Bucco. “I am asking that we entrust the Select Committee on rising energy costs—the body that was created to get to the bottom of our energy crisis—to be the institution to investigate and expand the proposed investigation to include PJM, the BPU, and any other institution that could have contributed to this crisis.”

Senator Testa, who also served on the Select Committee on rising energy rates, highlighted the BPU’s failure to live up to their mission statement and explained why the agency should not oversee any investigation into rising energy costs.

“Their mission statement is to ensure the safe, adequate and proper utility services are provided at reasonable nondiscriminatory rates to all members of the public who desire such services; to develop and regulate a competitive economically cost-effective energy policy that promotes responsible growth and clean renewable energy sources while maintaining a high quality of life to New Jersey. It begs the question, which of those goals have they achieved?” said Sen. Testa. “Allowing the BPU to be the investigative body is akin to allowing the fox to watch the hen house.”

Senator Schepisi quoted a member of the BPU, who shed doubt on the agency’s internal approval process as it relates to New Jersey energy production and programs.

“Outside opinions, including mine or others are dismissed and marginalized. This flawed internal process worries me deeply many times I’ve seen that expected results drive the analysis reinforcing expected conclusions and garnering support from senior staff. He also said that dissenting opinions are not common and quite often and unfortunately discouraged,” said Sen. Schepisi. “That in of itself should make every person in these chambers question whether or not the BPU is the appropriate one to actually do an analysis on how to get our residents and our constituents out of this mess.”

Senator Singer spoke about the importance of energy supplies impacting New Jersey’s job market, using his district as an example of limited energy stifling job creation.

“This concern has been virtually ignored to a great extent by the BPU,” said Sen. Singer. “You’ve got to put the problem at the foot of those who created it, you’ve got to investigate those who created it, and you have to replace them if necessary.”

Senator Pennacchio later offered an amendment to A5466/S4318 to include a proposal from legislation he sponsored with Senator Latham Tiver (R-8) that would eliminate the Societal Benefits Charge and Sales Tax fees on electricity bills, directly lowering costs for consumers. Trenton Democrats, again, voted against this cost-saving proposal.

“This bill reinforces this narrative that we’ve been hearing this afternoon that energy demands are growing exponentially forever. At the same time, the state’s energy master has made the creation of that energy harder and harder,” said Sen. Pennacchio. “Consumers are hurting. To alleviate some of that pain, I would like to introduce an amendment that would place a summer moratorium on the sales tax and societal benefits charges on our utility bills.”

Senate Republicans have offered several pieces of legislation that they claim would have a significant and immediate impact on lowering costs for consumers.

In March 2024, Senator Bucco and Senator Tiver introduced the “Energy Security and Affordability Act” to improve energy costs and safeguard consumers from future NJBPU-approved rate hikes.

In April 2025, Senator Tiver and Senator Pennacchio introduced S4398 to suspend the sales and use tax and societal benefits charges on electric and gas utility bills to directly lower costs.

In March 2025, Senator Testa introduced legislation, S4285, to abolish the BPU, arguing that the agency abandoned its duty to protect New Jersey consumers.

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