The federal government has been undertaking the largest energy deregulation effort in Department of Energy history. According to their release:

Now look, we understand that honest and well meaning people can debate and disagree on the specifics and merits of each regulation, but there is one goal that is clear:

Build energy infrastructure faster.

The message from Washington is simple: Less paperwork. More power plants.

Meanwhile… New Jersey has spent years perfecting the opposite approach. More reviews. More delays. More uncertainty. More reasons not to build. The result? Not more clean energy. Not even more reliable energy. Just… less energy that costs more.

Governor Mikie Sherrill has repeatedly said she wants more energy generated here in New Jersey. She has also said cutting unnecessary red tape should be a priority. Good. Because now comes the part that matters. The budget is about to be finalized. A new BPU President is about to take office. If increasing in-state generation is truly the goal, this is the moment to prove it. Not with another study. Not with another task force. Not with another press conference. With permitting reform. With regulatory reform. With policies that make it easier to build generation instead of harder.

The federal government is asking a straightforward question: How do we get projects built faster? New Jersey should be asking the same thing. Because adding generation while keeping every barrier to generation in place isn’t an energy strategy. It’s wishful thinking. So far the governor has said the right things. Now New Jersey needs to show it can do the hard part.

• What red tape will be cut?
• What permitting will be streamlined?
• What barriers will be removed?

If New Jersey is serious about building more energy, the next announcement shouldn’t be another goal. It should be a list of obstacles that are no longer standing in the way