Gov. Phil Murphy released an updated version of his Energy Master Plan Monday — a document that is more about recording his efforts in the sector during his administration than providing a blueprint for the future.
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and her administration obviously will set the pace for energy after her inauguration on Jan. 20.
In the release, Murphy administration officials say the report looks back on progress made and recommends clear action steps over the next decade to provide New Jersey with a clean and affordable energy future that accomplishes the state’s demand and supply goals — and that it builds on the 2019 Energy Master Plan, incorporating the latest technology upgrades in a push for more clean energy.
The governor specifically says he has ‘no regrets’ on his energy efforts.
“This report is the culmination of our no-regrets strategy to tackling the challenges of energy affordability, supply and demand and climate change,” Murphy said in the release. “I am proud of all that we’ve been able to achieve to make our energy sector cleaner and more efficient over the past eight years. This report’s recommendations will help guide energy policy to new heights in the future.”
The administration said the 2024 EMP is a flexible, adaptive framework of “no-regrets” strategies and policies that can be pursued regardless of the changing energy landscape.
Ray Cantor, the deputy chief government affairs officer at the N.J. Business & Industry Association — and someone who specializes in energy issues — took issue with the report.
“While we support ‘no regrets’ policies, we note that this version of the Energy Master Plan contains the same fatal flaw as its predecessors,” he said. “It establishes artificial deadlines for decarbonization that has led to the policy choices that have contributed to driving up the price of energy.”
New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Ed Potosnak praised the effort, finding it forward-thinking.
“Gov. Murphy’s release of the 2025 Energy Master Plan provides an affordable energy roadmap at exactly the right moment,” he said. “In an election where affordability was the top issue, voters sent a clear message that clean energy is the most cost-effective path forward and the smartest long-term investment.
“This plan lays out how New Jersey can expand clean energy production that is not only the cheapest and cleanest option, but also the healthiest and fastest to bring online. Unlike oil, gas, and coal—which are dirty and subject to extreme price swings—clean energy delivers true energy independence and protection from inflation.”
Here are the basics of the plan, as described by the administration.
Accelerating clean energy deployment: Any future aligned with the state’s economic, energy, and climate goals will require accelerated clean energy generation — solar, wind, advanced nuclear, green hydrogen and battery storage. Doing so will reduce electricity imports, boost in-state generation, grow clean energy jobs, increase resource diversity and support long-term cost stability.
Expanding decarbonization and efficiency programs: New Jersey’s energy efficiency programming must continue to serve as a delivery system for long-term bill reduction for participating residential and commercial customers. More efficient equipment provides lower bills for program participants, and it reduces overall electric demand — thereby taking pressure off the wholesale power market and reducing emissions from both the power and buildings sectors.
Ensuring a reliable and modern grid: New Jersey needs reliable electric infrastructure that is equipped to serve increasing loads. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has adopted the first set of regulatory changes aiming to improve transparency and the speed of interconnection for distributed energy resources. Distribution planning and rate structures must adapt to a more interactive, flexible grid, while transmission coordination through PJM remains critical.
Staying the course on transportation electrification: New Jersey has made strides in advancing transportation electrification across multiple agencies to accelerate zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption and expand charging infrastructure. The State’s strategy has included consumer incentives, utility investments, regulatory streamlining, and public-private partnerships. New Jersey is closing in on its statutory target of 330,000 light-duty electric vehicles by the end of 2025. A diverse set of programs have achieved 260,000 light-duty EVs on the road and deployed more than 5,000 charging ports statewide.
Ensuring energy affordability and environmental fairness: New Jersey is committed to making energy affordability and environmental fairness central pillars of energy and climate programs. The Energy Equity and Affordability Report recommended expanding bill assistance, piloting time-of-use rates that offer lower-cost charging during off-peak periods, and lowering upfront costs of energy efficiency, heat pumps, and EVs for low- and moderate-income customers. Several of these actions have since been implemented.
Enhancing regional coordination and advocacy: New Jersey must continue to actively engage with PJM and neighboring states to ensure grid reliability, affordability, and accelerate clean energy integration. New Jersey recently joined with 10 other PJM States to sign a Statement of Intent to create a formal PJM Governor’s Collaborative to jointly address key challenges facing the region. That work must continue and expand in the coming years. Additionally, the State should continue to take steps to have more formal involvement in the PJM decision-making process to ensure that its policy objectives are reflected in PJM’s market rules and policies.
Driving innovation and workforce development: Strategic workforce investments are vital for long-term success. The 2025 Growing Green Jobs report notes a 12% increase in the green economy workforce since 2021 and projects approximately 14,300 to 42,400 net new workers will be needed in New Jersey’s broader energy economy, primarily in the green economy, between 2022 and 2035. Existing initiatives include clean energy training hubs, apprenticeship expansion, and funding wraparound services for trainees in overburdened communities, all of which should continue to meet this growing demand.
