Phil Murphy on Energy & Oil

Renewable energy can create a generation of good-paying jobs

Extend deadlines to complete solar power facilities

Analysis by NJ Spotlight News, June 24, 2022:Bills will give deadline extensions to pending "subsection t" projects that are held up by the delays at PJM. Without this legislation, dozens of solar landfill and brownfield projects will die, along with thousands of construction jobs and nearly 500 MW dc of clean solar power.

InsiderNJ.com reason to vote NO:[At an FDU "Gubernatorial Conversation"], an audience member asked [Sen. Ed Durr] if he believed in global warming. He said he did not, offering that he believes in some climate change: "It's called the four seasons," he said.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 77-0-3 on Jun/30/23; passed Senate 35-1-4 on Jun/30/23; signed by Governor Phil Murphy on Sep/12/23.

Primed to be a leader on the East Coast in offshore-wind

100% clean energy economy by 2050

Wind farm smarter than drilling for oil

Protect our precious Jersey Shore from offshore drilling

A stronger and fairer New Jersey accepts the reality of climate change, invests aggressively in renewable energy, and upholds the goals of the Paris Climate Accord. A stronger and fairer New Jersey means that someone has your back. I do.

Rejoin Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Phil understands that we need to generate clean energy here in New Jersey and not import polluting electricity from neighboring states while exporting jobs. That is why he will increase the amount of electricity utilities are required to purchase from local wind and solar sources. He will also make sure New Jersey develops its enormous offshore wind opportunities, which will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but has the potential to create good, new jobs in New Jersey. Phil will also develop a plan for New Jersey to eventually reach 100% carbon-free electricity.

Raise gas tax to renew Transportation Trust Fund

Raising the state's 14.5-cent gasoline tax, second-lowest in the country, has been identified by most as the only way to renew the state's Transportation Trust Fund, currently unable to pay for anything other than debt service.

While it's not a "perfect match," he suggested raising the Earned Income Tax Credit--a popular credit among working class families--to 40 percent. Increasing that tax credit has been a part of multiple TTF plans proposed over the last few months. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." But doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.

It stinks, but raise the gas tax to fund transportation

A gasoline tax hike has become wildly unpopular in New Jersey, even at Murphy's event: There was only a smattering of applause when he called for the tax to be raised. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." Doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.