Governor Murphy Announces Release of Energy Master Plan – Insider NJ

New Jersey’s 2024 Energy Master Plan: A Framework for Sustainable Development

Introduction

The State of New Jersey has released its 2024 Energy Master Plan (EMP), a strategic roadmap designed to guide the state’s energy policy over the next decade. The report, developed between early 2024 and October 2025, builds upon the 2019 EMP by incorporating recent technological and policy advancements. Prepared by a consulting team from Energy and Environmental Economics (E3), ILLUME Advising, and BW Research, the EMP outlines a flexible framework of “no-regrets” strategies. These strategies aim to achieve a clean and affordable energy future, directly aligning with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Strategies and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Accelerating Clean Energy Deployment

   The plan prioritizes the accelerated deployment of clean energy generation, including solar, wind, advanced nuclear, green hydrogen, and battery storage. This initiative is fundamental to achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By boosting in-state generation and resource diversity, this strategy also contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the creation of clean energy jobs.

2. Expanding Decarbonization and Efficiency Programs

   Continued expansion of energy efficiency programs is identified as a key mechanism for long-term bill reduction for residential and commercial customers. This focus on efficiency supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and enhances progress toward SDG 7. By reducing overall electric demand, these programs also contribute to creating more resilient and sustainable communities, in line with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

3. Ensuring a Reliable and Modern Grid

   The EMP calls for the development of reliable electric infrastructure capable of serving increasing loads. Modernizing the grid through improved interconnection processes, adaptive distribution planning, and new rate structures is a direct investment in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). A modern, flexible grid is essential for the integration of renewable sources, further supporting SDG 7.

4. Staying the Course on Transportation Electrification

   The state will continue its strategy to advance transportation electrification through consumer incentives, utility investments, and public-private partnerships. With a target of 330,000 light-duty electric vehicles by the end of 2025, this effort significantly advances SDG 11 by reducing urban air pollution and contributes to SDG 13 by lowering transport sector emissions.

5. Ensuring Energy Affordability and Environmental Fairness

   A central pillar of the plan is the commitment to energy affordability and environmental fairness. By expanding bill assistance, piloting time-of-use rates, and lowering upfront costs for low- and moderate-income customers, the strategy directly addresses SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). This ensures that the clean energy transition is equitable and benefits all communities.

6. Enhancing Regional Coordination and Advocacy

   The report emphasizes the need for continued engagement with regional grid operator PJM and neighboring states to ensure reliability and accelerate clean energy integration. This collaborative approach embodies the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), recognizing that regional cooperation is critical to achieving large-scale energy and climate objectives.

7. Driving Innovation and Workforce Development

   Strategic investments in workforce development are deemed vital for long-term success. With a projected need for 14,300 to 42,400 new workers in the energy economy by 2035, initiatives such as clean energy training hubs and apprenticeships are crucial. This focus aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by creating a skilled workforce prepared for the green economy.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The entire article revolves around New Jersey’s “Energy Master Plan (EMP),” which aims to create a “clean and affordable energy future.” It explicitly mentions accelerating the deployment of clean energy sources like solar and wind, and ensuring energy affordability.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article highlights the economic benefits of the clean energy transition, mentioning the goal to “grow clean energy jobs” and the need for “strategic workforce investments.” It cites a report on “Growing Green Jobs” and projects a significant increase in the green economy workforce.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • A key strategy mentioned is “Ensuring a Reliable and Modern Grid.” This involves upgrading “electric infrastructure” to handle increasing loads and adapting distribution planning for a more flexible grid, which directly relates to building resilient infrastructure.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The plan emphasizes “Energy Affordability and Environmental Fairness.” It details actions to support “low- and moderate-income customers” through expanded bill assistance and lower upfront costs for clean energy technologies, aiming to reduce economic disparities.
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The strategy of “Staying the Course on Transportation Electrification” directly addresses sustainable transport. The article discusses accelerating “zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption” and expanding “charging infrastructure,” which are crucial for creating sustainable transportation systems in communities.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The EMP is framed as a strategy for “tackling the challenges of… climate change.” Its goals, such as decarbonization, reducing emissions from the power and buildings sectors, and promoting clean energy, are direct measures to combat climate change and its impacts.
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article underscores the importance of “Enhancing Regional Coordination and Advocacy.” It mentions New Jersey’s collaboration with “PJM and neighboring states” and the creation of a “PJM Governor’s Collaborative” to jointly address regional energy challenges, exemplifying a partnership approach.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article’s focus on “energy affordability,” “long-term bill reduction,” and “lower-cost charging” directly supports this target.
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The strategy to “Accelerating Clean Energy Deployment” of “solar, wind, advanced nuclear, green hydrogen, and battery storage” aligns perfectly with this target.
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The plan includes “Expanding Decarbonization and Efficiency Programs” to reduce “overall electric demand” and promote “more efficient equipment.”
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article’s focus on leveraging the “clean energy economy” and incorporating the “latest advancements in technology” supports this target.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The emphasis on “Workforce Development,” creating “clean energy training hubs,” and expanding apprenticeships to meet the projected demand for new workers in the green economy relates to this target.
3. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The goal of “Ensuring a Reliable and Modern Grid” and improving “reliable electric infrastructure” is a direct match for this target.
4. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all. The commitment to “Energy Equity and Affordability” by expanding “bill assistance” and lowering costs for “low- and moderate-income customers” aims to ensure the benefits of the energy transition are shared more equitably.
5. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The state’s strategy for “transportation electrification” to accelerate “ZEV adoption and expand charging infrastructure” is a direct contribution to this target.
6. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The “Energy Master Plan” itself is a comprehensive state-level policy and strategy designed to integrate climate action into New Jersey’s energy future.
7. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article highlights “public-private partnerships” for transportation and the creation of a “PJM Governor’s Collaborative” with neighboring states, which exemplifies this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 11 (Target 11.2):
   • The article provides specific, quantifiable indicators for transportation electrification:
     • The statutory target of 330,000 light-duty electric vehicles by the end of 2025.
     • The current achievement of 260,000 light-duty EVs on the road.
     • The deployment of more than 5,000 charging ports statewide.
2. For SDG 8 (Target 8.5):
   • The article mentions concrete data points for workforce development:
     • A 12% increase in the green economy workforce since 2021.
     • A projected need for 14,300 to 42,400 net new workers in the energy economy between 2022 and 2035.
3. For SDG 13 (Target 13.2):
   • An implied indicator is the reduction of “emissions from both the power and buildings sectors,” which would be a key metric for measuring the success of the state’s climate action plan.
4. For SDG 7 (Target 7.2 & 7.3):
   • Implied indicators include the rate of deployment of clean energy sources (solar, wind, etc.), the reduction in “electricity imports,” and the reduction in “overall electric demand” as a measure of energy efficiency success.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: insidernj.com