On January 27, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) released a wide-ranging “Energy Master Plan” with details on how the state could achieve 100% clean energy by 2050.[1] [2] To reinforce the initiatives proposed in the plan, the governor also signed Executive Order No. 100 which directs the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to make comprehensive regulatory reforms.

Current efforts by the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient to achieve the target of 80% reduction from 2006 levels set by the state’s Global Warming Response Act passed in summer 2019 and the plan seeks to address this gap.[3] The governor’s plan provides more specifics on how the state can reach this goal by delineating seven areas of focus: the transportation sector, renewable energy and DERs, energy efficiency, the building sector, the use of "integrated distribution plans," incentivizing clean energy in underserved communities, and attracting supply chain businesses to create clean energy "clusters." Major suggestions in the plan include ensuring 7.5 GW of offshore wind is part of the energy mix by 2035, requiring utilities to explore “non-wire solutions” (i.e. projects or investments that may defer or replace distribution or transmission upgrades by reducing load), and building up EV charging infrastructure.

[1] https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200127a.shtml

[2] http://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20200127/84/84/03/b2/2293766d081ff4a3cd8e60aa/NJBPU_EMP.pdf

[3] https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562019/approved/20190617a.shtml