President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders concerning energy policy, signaling a shift from the approach of his predecessor. These changes could significantly impact states like New Jersey, where Gov. Phil Murphy has aligned closely with federal energy and environmental policies.
Ray Cantor, Deputy Chief Government Affairs Officer at NJBIA, commented on the potential implications: “The Trump Executive Orders on energy and environmental justice could be policy game changers and could have a profound impact on the nation’s and New Jersey’s policies.”
Cantor expressed concerns about previous policies under Biden and Murphy administrations: “Both the Biden and Murphy administrations put climate and environmental justice policies at the center of everything they did, often with harmful results for our businesses and residents."
While supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Cantor criticized certain mandates as overly aggressive: “They would harm both businesses, consumers, as well as lower income populations who couldn’t afford to comply.” He also noted that some executive orders might encounter legal challenges.
One order declares a National Energy Emergency aimed at expediting permits for energy projects and promoting fossil fuel development. The order defines energy broadly but omits wind and solar power. Cantor remarked on this declaration: “The ‘emergency’ declaration is justified by the president as a means to give broad authority to increase oil and gas production."
Another executive order removes an electric vehicle mandate in New Jersey. This move counters Gov. Murphy's adoption of programs requiring new gas-powered cars to be phased out by 2035. Cantor explained: “The EO basically ordered EPA to take action to eliminate the mandates."
Additionally, Trump's administration has paused offshore wind leasing, aligning with his campaign promise to halt offshore wind farms along the Jersey Shore. Cantor highlighted concerns over this decision: "There might be resistance to offshore wind, but at the end of the day, it would diversify our energy portfolio."
Cantor emphasized that while executive orders can prompt immediate changes, their long-term effects depend on further regulatory actions and potential legal battles: “Overall, it’s safe to say we applaud these measures for bringing balance to our energy policies."
He concluded by stressing New Jersey's need for rational energy policies that ensure affordability and reliability: "We look forward to working with the Trump administration, the Murphy administration and the next Governor."
