Where We Stand: New Jersey’s Push for 100% clean Energy
- Adriana Tavarez
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
New Jersey is pursuing one of the most ambitious climate goals in the country:
achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035. This accelerated target was established
through Executive Order No. 315, signed by Governor Phil Murphy in February 2023,
which moved the original 2050 clean-electricity deadline forward by 15 years. The order
directs state agencies to speed up renewable-energy development, reduce emissions,
and prepare for a rapid transition to a cleaner electric grid.
In recent years, New Jersey has made visible progress. One of the biggest
advancements has been the growth of solar energy across the state. In August 2023,
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) made the Community Solar Energy
Program permanent, expanding access to renters, multifamily buildings, and low-to-
moderate income households (NJBPU, 2023). Community solar allows families to
benefit from solar credits without needing to install panels on their own roofs—making
clean energy more accessible and equitable.
New Jersey has also taken steps to address the largest sources of emissions in the
built environment. In 2023, the state released a Strategic Roadmap for Building
Decarbonization, developed in partnership with Synapse Energy Economics. This
roadmap outlines strategies for electrifying heating systems, improving efficiency, and
retrofitting older buildings that contribute significantly to statewide emissions (Synapse
Energy, 2023). As buildings account for roughly a quarter of New Jersey’s climate
pollution, progress in this sector is essential.
However, New Jersey faces several setbacks on the road to 2035. The most
significant challenge has been the offshore wind sector. In late 2023, the company
Ørsted announced it would cease development of Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2,
two major offshore wind projects that were expected to supply large amounts of clean
electricity to New Jersey’s grid (Ørsted, 2023). The cancellation, driven by rising costs,
inflation, and supply-chain constraints, represented a major blow to the state’s clean-
energy timeline.
Another challenge is that New Jersey’s 2035 clean-electricity goal is established
through an executive order rather than state law. While Executive Order 315 reflects
strong leadership from the governor, it does not have the same long-term legal durability
as a statute passed by the legislature. This means the target could be revised,
weakened, or repealed by a future administration, creating uncertainty for the utilities,
regulators, and developers responsible for long-term planning. Major investments in
offshore wind, solar, transmission upgrades, and building electrification require stable,
multi-year commitments, and companies are less likely to move aggressively when the
policy foundation could shift after an election. Without statutory backing, state agencies
also face limits in how forcefully they can mandate changes to grid infrastructure,
building codes, or permitting processes. As a result, while the 2035 goal sets an
ambitious vision, its reliance on an executive order introduces political and financial risk
that can slow the pace of clean-energy development.
Still, New Jersey continues to take steps toward a cleaner and more resilient future.
The NJDEP’s ongoing work, outlined in its Climate Change – Energy resource, reflects
the state’s commitment to grid modernization, emissions reduction, and renewable-
energy integration (NJDEP, 2024). As the transition continues, the focus will be on how
quickly the state can scale solar, storage, and offshore wind replacements—and how
equitably the benefits reach overburdened communities.
New Jersey’s push toward 2035 represents both opportunity and challenge. If the
state can overcome its setbacks and maintain momentum, it has the potential to
become a national leader in clean energy, environmental justice, and climate resilience.
The next decade will determine not just whether New Jersey reaches 100% clean
electricity—but how fair, affordable, and community-centered the transition will be.
Sources
1.Executive Order No. 315 – NJ Governor’s Office
2. NJBPU Press Release – Community Solar Program Made Permanent (Aug 16, 2023)
3.Synapse Energy Economics – Building Decarbonization Roadmap (New Jersey)
4.RMI Analysis – New Jersey Climate Actions & EO 315
5. Ørsted – Cancellation of Ocean Wind Projects
6.NJDEP – Climate Change: Energy (State Energy & Emissions Initiatives)