New NJ governor declares emergency on electric bills — and freezes rates by executive order

⚡ Electric bills frozen

🏛️ Emergency powers invoked

🔌 Nuclear power back on table

NEWARK — Making good on a campaign promise to tackle rapidly rising utility costs on day one, New Jersey’s new governor declared a statewide emergency on electric bills and froze rate hikes on her first day in office.

During her inaugural address, Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order aimed at stopping looming increases in household power bills and another to expand energy production in New Jersey. The actions mark one of the most aggressive uses of emergency authority on utility pricing in state history.

SEE ALSO: Understanding Sherrill's resignation request for state workers

State of emergency declared over NJ utility costs

The first executive order offsets pending electric rate hikes and uses existing state funds to offset increases scheduled to hit consumers in June. The order directs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to pause or modify utility actions that could further raise bills and to review utility business models to ensure they are focused on lowering costs for ratepayers.

State officials cited mismanagement by the regional power grid operator and rising costs that have left New Jersey families facing higher monthly bills.

Watch our recent town hall special about the radically high costs of energy in New Jersey.

ALSO SEE: Mikie Sherrill sworn in as governor, takes sharp aim at Trump from Newark

Rate hikes frozen as BPU gets expanded authority

Under the order, the BPU is empowered to intervene more aggressively, holding utilities accountable and preventing what the administration described as unsustainable price increases. The goal, according to the governor, is immediate relief while longer-term solutions are developed.

Nuclear power, solar and batteries fast-tracked

A second executive order declares a State of Emergency under the Disaster Control Act, allowing the state to fast-track new energy projects. The plan accelerates solar and battery storage development in the short term and establishes a Nuclear Power Task Force to position New Jersey for future nuclear generation.

The order also targets permitting delays and requires utilities to report power demands from large data centers, including those driven by artificial intelligence.

State officials argue that expanding in-state power generation is essential to lowering costs and reducing reliance on external energy markets.

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