Bramnick: Murphy’s Energy Master Plan ignores what residents can afford

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick called on Murphy to think about what residents can afford before he acts on his energy master plan. He says Murphy needs a more thoughtful approach to ramp-up clean energy.

“A significant amount of the state’s energy comes from natural gas, which has substantially reduced pollution and energy bills,” said Bramnick (R-Union). “Any plan needs to include natural, and if his plan is going to stop development in New Jersey that calls for serious legislative hearings.”

New Jersey residents and businesses pay some of the highest electric rates in the country, and they have increased since Democrats added surcharges to utility bills.

“Murphy’s plan will drive-up costs on families, seniors and businesses while they already struggle to afford New Jersey’s extreme tax burden,” continued Bramnick. “Once again he doesn’t take into account what people can afford if it doesn’t help his agenda. The state shouldn’t be making it more difficult for people to make ends meet.”

Natural gas currently supplies over half of electricity across the state, and three-quarters of home heating. Renewable energy and nuclear power supply the rest of energy needs; about five percent and a third, respectively.