Ben Hertz-Shargel, an expert in grid modernization, energy analytics and utility
planning, was nominated to serve as the next president of the N.J. Board of Public
Utilities.
Hertz-Shargel currently serves as Global Head of Grid Transformation and Large Loads
in the New York City office of Wood Mackenzie, a global consulting firm. In that role, he
advises energy, technology and financial firms on grid modernization, electrification,
distributed energy resources and emerging energy technologies.
Hertz-Shargel needs to be confirmed as a BPU Commissioner — which is expected —
before being elevated to President, where he will succeed Christine Guhl-Sadovy, who
will remain on the board.
The move is in line with Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s stated goals on energy, placing one of the
nation’s leading experts in grid modernization at the helm of the state agency
responsible for regulating public utilities and helping guide New Jersey’s long-term
energy strategy.
The nomination comes as the Sherrill administration is implementing an aggressive
energy affordability agenda focused on lowering utility costs, rapidly expanding energy
supply and addressing the underlying drivers of rising energy prices.
“Ben brings a rare combination of technical expertise, leadership experience and a deep
understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our energy system,” Sherrill
said.
“The Board of Public Utilities will play a central role in our efforts to lower energy costs
for families, strengthen reliability, increase accountability, and implement an all-of-the- above energy strategy that supports economic growth, and Ben is the right leader to
oversee this critical work.”
Hertz-Shargel said he is eager to get started.
“At a time when families and businesses are being crushed by rising utility costs over
the past few years, New Jersey is charting a new path forward and, with Governor
Sherrill’s leadership, is poised to lead the nation on smart, responsible energy policy,”
he said. “I look forward to working with Gov. Sherrill, my fellow commissioners, utilities,
consumer advocates, labor partners and communities across the state to deliver reliable
utility service and advance energy policies that are affordable, accountable and
responsive to the needs of New Jerseyans.”
Prior to his role at Wood Mackenzie, Hertz-Shargel served as Head of Data Science
and Demand Management at Rhythm and as Vice President of Advanced Grid Services
and Analytics at EnergyHub, where he designed and built core demand response
optimization technology and served as a lead technical expert in stakeholder
engagement before state public utility commissions.
In addition to his private-sector work, Hertz-Shargel serves as a Nonresident Senior
Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, an Advisory Committee Member
for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Energy and Environment Program and in advisory
roles with Pew Charitable Trusts on distributed energy resources policy.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Northwestern, a Master of
Science in Mathematics from New York University and a PhD in Mathematics from
UCLA.
Guhl-Sadovy has served as president of the BPU since September 2023, when she was
thrust into the role following the death of Joe Fiordaliso.
Sherrill praised her tenure.
“I want to thank President Christine Guhl-Sadovy for her leadership over the last several
years, especially over the last six months,” she said. “She has served New Jersey with
dedication, distinction, and a strong commitment to the public interest, and I am grateful
for her continued service as a Commissioner.”
