The basics:

• Sherrill vows to freeze utility rates on day one as governor
• Plan calls for modernizing natural gas facilities, expanding solar, battery storage and nuclear
• Candidate to declare state of emergency on energy costs
• Pledges greater transparency and accountability for utilities

Democrat gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill announced Aug. 20 a set of steps she would take as governor to address the energy crisis, which has led to skyrocketing rates for New Jerseyans on their utility bills this summer.

The announcement came during a rainy campaign event in Kenilworth. Held at the home of a supporter, the resident highlighted the strain of the rate increases on household budgets.

At the center of Sherrill’s plan is a day one declaration of a state of emergency on utility costs.

Highlights include:

• A freeze on utility rates
• A build-out of “cheaper and cleaner” power generation – including:
  • Solar and battery storage projects
  • Expediting upgrades at existing nuclear plants
  • Modernizing existing natural gas facilities to make them cleaner and more efficient
• Cutting red tape and permitting delays to streamline projects
• Requiring more transparency from the utilities
• Instructing the state attorney general to take the Trump administration and PJM Interconnection to court to “force them to end their mismanagement and instead accelerate the development of cheaper and cleaner energy sources and connect new power generation to our grid immediately”

“I’ll get right to it – our utility bills have gone by up 20% this summer. New Jerseyans are hurting. And I hear it from families all around the state,” said Sherrill. She stressed that we cannot continue to kick this can down the road. “On day one, I’m going to declare a state of emergency on utility costs.

“What that means for New Jerseyans – and how I’m going to lower costs immediately, is freezing utility rates on day one. When I take office, the average New Jersey family won’t see an increase in utility rates for an entire year. I’ll massively expand cheaper, cleaner power generation – and build an energy arsenal in our state.”

Long-range plan

As she ticked through the plan, which can be found here, Sherrill said it would deliver immediate relief to New Jersey families – while also creating a long-range plan and strategy to drive down costs, increase production and decrease carbon emissions.

“And I’m not afraid to take on anyone – whether it’s the utility companies, our grid operator, or my own party – to get it done,” said Sherrill.

When I take office, the average New Jersey family won’t see an increase in utility rates for an entire year.
– Democrat gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill

When asked if the governor had the authority to freeze utility rates, Sherrill said her team has determined that, as governor, she would have the power to – pointing to a stakeholder process with utility companies and PJM to analyze prices/costs, as well as highlighting money that comes into NJBPU that could be used toward this.

Sherrill was asked how she would deploy her NJBPU in this effort.

“Look, my BPU is going to share my focus on expanding power, decreasing cost, and decreasing carbon emissions,” said Sherrill. “And right now, I think – this is just one of the entities that is really asleep at the switch. This was a foreseeable crisis. Not every single part of it – but the can was kicked down the road because it’s complicated and hard to address.

“That’s no excuse for any entity that’s serving the public. This is what public servants do. So, my BPU is going to take these things head on and address these things head on.”

Watch the announcement on X:

Sherrill to Make Major Policy Announcement To Lower Utility Costs For Working Families https://t.co/3pOx0KKWpe

— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) August 20, 2025

When asked if she is looking to replace any of the current BPU commissioners, Sherrill said pointedly:

“If the current BPU commissioners are not going to address this, and if they are not going to drive down costs for people – then, yes: they will be replaced.”

Opponent’s plan

NJBIZ has reported extensively on this issue – which has become the hot-button topic on the campaign trail and beyond, especially during these hot summer months with a major rate hike hitting.

Her opponent, GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli and members of his party – along with a number of key voices in this space – have laid the energy crisis at the feet of the Murphy administration – and say that Sherrill would just be Phil Murphy 2.0.

“Electric prices in New Jersey are through the roof — and my opponent fully backs the failed radical energy agenda that’s driving them up,” Ciattarelli wrote in an Aug. 13 post on X. “As Governor, I’ll scrap the unrealistic energy master plan and failed wind farms off the Jersey Shore, increase natural gas generation, expand nuclear power, and deliver common-sense solutions for cheaper, reliable energy. It’s time to make New Jersey affordable again.”

Ciattarelli has not yet weighed in publicly on the plan Sherrill introduced Wednesday. His energy platform on his campaign page can be found here.

This is certainly not the last time you will hear (and read) about this issue as the campaign reaches this critical stretch.

Please stay with NJBIZ for further coverage and analysis of this story.