New Jersey Energy Master Plan Backfires: GSI Report Warns of $5 Billion in Costs and 35% Rate Hikes

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Garden State Initiative (GSI) says it has been proven right about the hidden dangers of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan (NJEMP). In a newly released report, The Reality of the Renewable Energy Provisions of the NJEMP, GSI outlines how the plan’s heavy reliance on wind and solar energy is projected to cost $5 billion per year and drive up electricity rates by 35%, all while reducing the state’s overall energy reliability.

GSI: “We Sounded the Alarm — Sadly, We Were Right”

“The NJEMP’s focus on wind and solar will lead to skyrocketing energy bills and higher costs for goods and services — increases that were both foreseeable and preventable,” said GSI President Audrey Lane.

Lane stressed that the administration failed to account for the economic burden when drafting the 2019 plan:

“Our data clearly shows that the issue of rising costs was either not contemplated or, more likely, purposefully ignored. The attempt to shift blame for the impact on ratepayers is unfortunate, but futile.”

Key Findings From the Report

• $5 billion annually: Added burden for New Jersey taxpayers.

• 35% increase in energy costs: Affecting both households and businesses.

• Rising bills across the board: Families face higher utility costs, while businesses pass expenses onto consumers.

• Shrinking supply: Six power plants decommissioned in the last eight years with no replacement plan.

The Hard Questions the NJEMP Fails to Answer

• What is the true cost of new electricity under the plan?

• Is offshore wind really the most cost-effective way to cut emissions?

• Do marginal environmental gains justify billions in higher costs?

According to the report, the incremental cost of offshore wind alone is $3.09 billion annually, while solar adds another $1.83 billion per year. Factoring in battery backups and grid upgrades, costs nearly double.

Expert Analysis

Kenneth Richards, Professor at the O’Neill School of Public Affairs, noted:

“If the marginal cost of two options is different, policymakers should shift toward the one with lower costs. Instead, the 2019 NJEMP set arbitrary targets for expensive offshore wind while ignoring cheaper alternatives.”

The study also warns of hidden costs tied to storage, transmission, backup generation, and eventual decommissioning of renewable infrastructure.

GSI’s Recommendations for a Smarter Energy Future

• Adopt a technology-neutral policy prioritizing emissions reduction at the lowest cost.

• Defer offshore wind projects due to prohibitive expenses.

• Implement transparent, system-level planning that accounts for lifecycle costs.

• Require cost-benefit analysis and accountability in setting energy targets.

• Ensure reliability and affordability for New Jersey families and businesses.

Conclusion

For years, GSI cautioned that the NJ Energy Master Plan would raise costs while jeopardizing reliability. With this latest report, the warnings appear to have come true, leaving policymakers with a critical choice: stay the course or rethink New Jersey’s energy future.

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