Giant NJ Budget Again Funnels Money Away From Energy Fund
Updated: Aug 1, 2022
July 8, 2022 | njspotlightnews.org
Once again, the Legislature and Murphy administration diverted money away from the Clean Energy Fund to pay for other government operations, angering advocates who noted that the raids continued even as the state expects record high tax collections and is flush with billions in unspent federal aid.
The fund, supported by utility customers who pay a surcharge on their monthly bills, is designed to help New Jersey achieve its ambitious climate policy goals and quicken the state’s transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
NJ SEED: When the state is literally rolling in cash it appears to be inappropriate at best to continue the practice of diverting ratepayer money. Using funds collected as a surcharge to help pay for the implementation of the Energy Master Plan and spending it for “other than its legally dedicated purposes” whether by this or previous administrations ($1.7 billion to date), raises ethical questions. And the public is still not allowed to know what implementation of the Master Plan is projected to cost ratepayers.