So with all of the outrage, headlines, talking points and social media posts that we’ve seen in recent weeks regarding coming energy rate hikes, we were hoping that maybe the Legislature would get the hint and start taking some real actions to deal with the problems New Jersey is facing.

You could say we were dissapointed when we took a look at the agenda in the Legislature for Monday to see their “flurry of activity” when it comes to energy:

A5436 Requires BPU to determine and consider lowest reasonable return on equity before approving electric, gas, and water public utility base rate cases.

A5438  “Public Utility Fair Profit Act”; requires public utilities to take certain actions regarding excess profits and directs fines for violations to fund utility assistance programs.

A5442  Requires BPU members to have certain experience and complete certain training.

A5464  Prohibits BPU from approving electric public utility rate increase without full rate review.

A5466  Requires BPU to study effects of data centers on electricity rates.

A5517  Directs BPU to study feasibility of deploying small modular reactors Statewide; appropriates $5 million.

A5564  Requires submission of energy usage plan to BPU for proposed artificial intelligence data centers; requires all electricity for artificial intelligence data centers to be derived from new clean energy sources.

AJR216 Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.’s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms.

More deflection from the people that are supposed to be showing leadership. After chasing offshore wind and spending billions in taxpayer money (including a $1 billion payment authorized by the NJ Legislature that we still haven’t gotten back yet), now they want people to complete training and study more? What have they been doing for the last nearly decade now?

The simple fact is the Legislature failed to do their job for 8 years enabling this situation to occur. Now they have 9 do nothing bills up for consideration that will not solve the problems because none of them will actually do anything to create more energy generation to meet the growing demand.

Nothing about repealing or even delaying the mandates that are helping to drive up rates that harms the ratepayer every day they exist. And don’t forget, there is another auction coming in July that will likely mean more rate hikes.

The NJ Legislature can completely change our course with one piece of legislation. The question is, will they?