New Jersey Voters Divided on Responsibility for Summer Electricity Bill Spike

New Jersey residents are grappling with a significant rise in electricity bills, with increases reaching about 20% on average and up to 35% for some during recent heatwaves. A series of polls from Fairleigh Dickinson University reveal a divided public on who is to blame: about a quarter blame utility companies, nearly 20% point to Governor Phil Murphy, and others fault the state legislature, the federal government, or the regional grid operator PJM. Republicans predominantly blame Governor Murphy and the legislature, criticizing his offshore wind initiatives that failed to materialize sufficient new energy generation, while Democrats tend to blame utility companies and PJM. Despite the political blame game, experts note that many New Jerseyans do not fully understand the supply and demand dynamics driving price increases, including factors like rising wholesale electricity prices, increased demand from AI and cryptocurrency data centers, and inflation. Voter preferences on energy sources also differ by party, with Democrats favoring green energy and Republicans leaning towards natural gas and nuclear power. The overall uncertainty and lack of clear leadership have left many consumers frustrated and confused about the causes of their soaring electricity costs.