An earlier version of this article originally appeared in the The Whit, a student-operated campus news outlet for Rowan University and a content partner with South Jersey Climate News.
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Governor Elect Mikie Sherrill visited Pitman, New Jersey to talk with local business owners about her plans to drive down costs.
“There are small businesses that go out of business in this state before they even open their doors,” said Sherrill. “So that’s why I’m so focused on cutting through that red tape, on cutting down on those fees.”
And she also highlighted her plan to reduce energy costs.
“[We have been] sitting down to negotiate some of these rates as we drive the cost down, and then we’ll also defray some of those costs with some of the money that comes in through the VPU and elsewhere,” said Sherrill. “But they’ve been very receptive to sitting down to work out how we’re going to drive these costs down.”
Sherrill’s energy plan also includes new solar and battery storage projects that would make existing natural gas cleaner. This would, according to her declaration, decrease carbon emissions and support energy independence. These plans are not only environmentally forward, but have the potential to significantly reduce costs for New Jersey residents.
In her “Day One Declaration,” Sherrill states that “On Day One as New Jersey’s next governor, I’m going to declare a State of Emergency on Utility Costs and freeze your utility rates, massively build out cheaper and cleaner power generation, and require more transparency from our utility companies including PSE&G, JCP&L, Atlantic City Electric, and Rockland Electric, and our grid operator PJM.”
At Words Matter bookstore, Sherrill spoke with owner Keryl Hausmann, who said she was honored to have Sherrill in her business and looks forward to what the governor-elect has in store for New Jersey in terms of energy-efficient solutions.
“I was really concerned going into the election, and I feel like she will do as much as she can, and that she really understands, and that she actually really cares,” said Hausmann. “Dealing with the utilities, that’s incredible. That would be an incredible help.”
