Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin Announce Direct Economic Relief to Lower Monthly Energy Costs For New Jerseyans

Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Nick Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced over $430 million in direct relief to lower the cost of energy bills. This comes in anticipation of the utility rate increase that took effect on June 1, 2025, as New Jersey ratepayers face record high wholesale electric prices which will hit customers with bills 20% higher than they were one year ago.  

All 3.9 million ratepayers in New Jersey will receive at least $100 in direct relief, while eligible low-to-moderate income (LMI) New Jerseyans will see at least $150 more deducted from their energy bills.

These credits are funded by the Clean Energy Fund, the Board of Public Utilities’ allocation of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) proceeds, and the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment account.

“Today, we are coming together to provide critical economic relief to the people of New Jersey by directly lowering the cost of their monthly energy bills,” said Governor Murphy. “But let me be clear: this is a short-term solution for the people of our state being battered by rising energy costs. Moving forward, we are going to work alongside BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy and our legislative partners to hold PJM accountable for the untenable and unconscionable costs they have forced on our state’s residents. Together, we are going to explore every possible avenue for lowering the cost of energy in the long term to make our state more affordable for more families.”

In recent months, New Jersey has led the way in advocating for a solution to the cost crisis faced by multiple states that are members of the PJM region. In April, Governor Murphy called on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to investigate whether market manipulation led to higher capacity auction prices.

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New Jersey Joins Global Commitment to Preserve 30% of Natural Lands by 2030

Governor Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey has joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a group of member states, territories, and countries committed to conserving 30% of their land by 2030. As a leader in land and water conservation, New Jersey has already protected more than 1.6 million acres of open space — more than 30% of the state’s total land. 

“Our investments in New Jersey’s natural land improve the quality of life for neighborhoods and families and the long-term health of our state,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jersey has been committed to ensuring every community has access to quality parks, recreation facilities, and opportunities through the Green Acres Program. By joining the High Ambition Coalition, we further this commitment to a global vision of a more sustainable future.”

Over the last seven years, the Murphy Administration has prioritized investments in preserving land and restoring and enhancing natural resources, such as wetlands that sequester carbon in the fight against climate change. The total acreage of protected open space across New Jersey now exceeds 1.62 million acres, about 31%. 

Most recently, Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced more than $131 million in Green Acres investments during Earth Week 2025 for parks, recreation, and open space preservation projects in every county across New Jersey. Upon approval of the current budget proposal, the Murphy Administration will have made a total of $695 million in Green Acres investments. This year’s funding is the largest Green Acres package of the Murphy Administration and the fourth largest in Green Acres Program history. 

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Statement from Governor Murphy on Trump Administration’s Cancellation of Unemployment Insurance Modernization Grant Programs

"The Trump Administration recently announced the termination of three grant programs that support continuing efforts to modernize New Jersey’s unemployment insurance application.

“In 2021, New Jersey was proud to be selected to lead a national effort to modernize the federal unemployment system. The Integrity, Equity, and Modernization grants, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan, supported years-long projects to improve the efficiency of our state’s unemployment insurance application and ensure that all eligible workers can access the benefits to which they are entitled. New Jersey has leveraged these funds to streamline the application process, make the application itself more user-friendly, and combat fraud and abuse.

“At a time of increased uncertainty about the U.S. economy, the last thing the federal government should be doing is taking away resources from states’ unemployment insurance systems. These cuts undermine American workers." 

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NJEDA Awards $7M to Revitalize Trenton’s South Broad Street Corridor - NJEDA

New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan joined Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and city officials to announce a grant award under the Urban Investment Fund (UIF) Grant Program to the City of Trenton. The $7 million award will support two building rehabilitation projects along South Broad Street in the city’s North Ward, supporting revitalization efforts and promoting increased foot-traffic along a key commercial corridor. 

“The Coronavirus Pandemic created economic challenges across New Jersey, particularly for small businesses and local entrepreneurs, resulting in decreased revenue along key commercial corridors,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Through programs like the NJEDA’s Urban Investment Fund, our Administration continues to make historic investments into cities like Trenton, ensuring communities have the funding necessary to promote a strong and equitable economic recovery.”  

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, the NJEDA continues to catalyze economic growth in communities most impacted by the pandemic through strategic investments that create jobs, support small businesses, and uplift our downtowns and main streets,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The funding awarded to Trenton through the Urban Investment Fund will support efforts to revitalize the city’s South Broad Street corridor, increasing foot traffic and fostering long-term economic growth.” 

In addition, the city plans to partner with the Mercer County Improvement Authority to renovate the Eagle Tavern with the remaining $3.5 million in UIF funding. The project will remediate the commercial kitchen, improve access between the first and lower floors, and upgrade the HVAC system, among other changes, returning the historic building to commercial use.

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Murphy Administration Announces Proposed Rules Establishing Comprehensive Consumer Data Privacy Protections | New Jersey Office of Attorney General

The Murphy Administration announced proposed rules aimed at protecting consumers from the unauthorized use and sale of their personal data by the operators – or “controllers” – that collect it during certain business transactions.

The proposed rules, published in the New Jersey Register, implement P.L. 2023, c.266 – also known as the New Jersey Data Privacy Act (“NJDPA”), which Governor Phil Murphy signed into law in January 2024, providing New Jerseyans with some of the strongest data privacy protections in the country.

“We live in a rapidly changing digital age, and personal data is collected at an alarming rate. Consumers in New Jersey deserve to know exactly when and how their information is used,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Our residents rely on the internet for everything from shopping and working to deeply personal tasks such as managing finances or medical care. This highly sensitive information should never be exploited. These proposed rules will help ensure consumers in New Jersey can reclaim control over their personal data.”

“As data breaches and cyber threats continue to grow in this age of digital consumerism, protecting the personal data of New Jersey residents from unauthorized access and use is more important than ever,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The proposed rules advance consumer privacy protections by requiring internet websites, online providers, and other entities to fully disclose to consumers how their private data will be used, notify consumers of their data privacy rights, and provide them with information on how to exercise those rights.”

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