Sherrill selects experts to work on energy affordability

After campaigning on a promise to immediately address rising energy costs in New Jersey, Democratic Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has appointed a team of experts to recommend solutions.

On Nov. 21, Sherrill announced the creation of several transition action teams to provide expertise in formulating her administration’s policies, made up of New Jersey and national experts in multiple issue areas. At the top of her list was a committee focused on energy affordability.

“We’re bringing together experts and everyday New Jerseyans alike on a mission to deliver — by driving down costs starting with electric bills, improving state services and accountability, and protecting our kids. These teams will embody the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and action that New Jerseyans expect from their next governor,” Sherrill said in a press release. “I want to thank all of the volunteers investing their time to ensure my administration can hit the ground running when we take office in January.”

The 18-member energy panel will include a diverse group of consumer advocates, labor representatives, utility executives, clean energy company leaders, environmental advocates, and former regulators. 

Jennifer Granholm, who served as secretary of energy under President Joe Biden, will be the panel’s co-chair. The other co-chair will be Allison Clements, a former commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Now a senior adviser to the consulting firm Capstone, Clements has worked extensively on updating the nation’s electrical grid. 

Other appointees include former New Jersey Division of the Rate Counsel director Stefanie Brand, who served as the top consumer advocate for the state’s energy rate payers; IBEW Local 456 business manager and former General Assembly member Joe Egan; New Jersey Utilities Association vice president Christina Farrell; Rewiring America co-founder, president, and CEO Ari Matusiak; Sierra Club NJ Chapter director Anjuli Ramos-Busot; and former Republican National Committee political director Mike DuHaime.

With declining energy supplies and increasing demand, New Jerseyans saw their monthly electric bills surge by about 20% in summer 2025, according to the nonprofit research group Regional Plan Association. With electricity rates in the state already among the nation’s highest, many consumers are struggling to afford their monthly bills.

“Because we were aware of the price increases, we actually have a rule that no air conditioners are allowed on unless it’s over 90 degrees,” Basking Ridge resident Theresa Luoni told the New Jersey Independent in August. “I know I’m in a family that lives at the poverty line, but I don’t see how, without a solution to stop some of the rising costs in New Jersey, that it’s not going to shove out people from the state.”

Sherrill said at an August campaign press conference that she would take immediate action as governor: “On day one, I’m going to declare a state of emergency on utility costs,” she said, adding that she will freeze utility rates for 12 months. “My plan is going to deliver immediate relief to New Jersey families by streamlining, modernizing and expanding our energy arsenal, will not only lower energy bills in the immediate future but also create a long-range plan and strategy for driving down costs, increasing production and decreasing carbon emissions across the state, because more power generation means lower bills.”

Sherrill will be inaugurated as governor on Jan. 20, succeeding Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.