The pipes, wires, poles and plants that power New Jersey rarely get noticed until something goes wrong. Behind them are people who are always looking ahead, toward cleaner energy, a stronger grid and the workforce to build it.
On Nov. 5, BINJE recognized those people at our first-ever BINJE’s Best: Utility and Infrastructure Leaders event, held in partnership with the New Jersey Utilities Association at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune.
The event gave out nine company awards and honored more than four dozen individuals, including retired SJI CEO Mike Renna as Utility Executive of the Year.
Inside this section, you’ll find nearly a dozen stories on the industry from throughout 2026 — our best-of-the-best list of key players and transformative issues in the sector.
BPU: At the BPU, a new president steps into an agency with a long list of issues — and ideas to match.
DATA CENTERS: Poll says New Jerseyans oppose data centers … but do they understand the question?
JCP&L: The terrain, the trees, the storms — inside JCP&L’s daily balancing act.
SJI: New CEO Blue Jenkins on why the company’s many ‘tentacles’ drew him to New Jersey, why gas still matters and what utilities need to do better.
N.J. RESOURCES: Why technology being tested at N.J. Natural Gas could be major breakthrough.
N.J. AMERICAN WATER: A look at Water UP!, the workforce development program in Camden training the next generation of water professionals.
PSE&G: Company officials say their decade-long $30 billion bet on poles, wires and substations means fewer (and shorter) outages.
ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC: ACE wants to build a giant container for power that already exists — but has nowhere to go because there isn’t enough capacity in the system to store it.
IUOE: Greg Lalevee, business manager for Local 825, says FDU Poll shows Democrats, Republicans and independents are aligned on expanding generation.
ELECTRIFICATION: Is the gas stove fight back on? Why Eric DeGesero says a bill moving in Trenton could give the state sweeping power over how New Jersey heats its homes.
