Yesterday, U.S. Rep. and New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill announced a plan to address the rising electricity cost crisis for New Jersey families—freezing utility rates, fast-tracking clean energy, and holding PJM accountable for mismanagement. In response, Evergreen Action Deputy State Policy Director Julia Kortrey released the following statement:

"New Jersey residents are feeling the impact of rising utility costs, and Mikie Sherrill's plan goes right at the source of that increase: PJM Interconnection's mismanagement of the grid. For too long, consumers have paid the price for PJM’s decision to slowwalk connecting cheaper clean energy to the grid while its utility members make more money from expensive fossil fuel infrastructure. Mikie Sherrill's plan will hold PJM accountable, invest in affordable clean energy and prevent rate increases for New Jersey residents.

“We need more leaders willing to confront the status quo head-on, not just manage around it. PJM must start putting working families first and fast-track connecting cheap clean energy to the grid, instead of padding utility profits with expensive new gas plants. PJM’s utility-members’ greed and PJM’s mismanagement are blocking hundreds of low-cost clean energy projects while sticking ratepayers with the bill. Enough is enough. It’s time to stop protecting utility interests and start holding PJM and utilities accountable to the people they’re supposed to serve.”