New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill Declares Utility Emergency on Inaugural Day
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed two executive orders on utility costs while delivering her inauguration speech.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was sworn in on Tuesday and took immediate action by signing her first executive orders even before concluding her inauguration speech.
“So, right now, yes, before I even finish this speech, I am going to sign my first in a series of executive orders to declare a State of Emergency on Utility Costs,” Sherrill announced to the audience.
The first executive order mandates the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to evaluate the possibility of pausing or modifying proposed utility rate increases. Additionally, it requires NJBPU to review utility business models and utilize existing funds to mitigate anticipated electricity supply increases in 2026.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill shows her first executive order following being sworn in during her inauguration ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J., on Jan. 20, 2026. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters / Reuters)
“The current cost of electricity has reached the point of crisis for many residents and families, and requires bold action to provide short-term relief and medium and long-term strategies and reforms to improve our energy system,” the order states.
The second executive order instructs state agencies and regulators to expedite new power generation initiatives, including solar, battery storage, and nuclear energy. It also aims to reduce permitting and interconnection delays that hinder projects and inflate costs.
A solar farm produces electricity near Bakersfield, Texas, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
WHITE HOUSE ‘LASER FOCUSED’ ON AFFORDABILITY AS TRUMP SOFTENS TARIFF STRATEGY
The order emphasizes that without the “swift addition of new generation or a slowdown in demand growth,” the grid’s reliability could be compromised during peak periods, potentially leading to power restrictions. This practice, known as “load shedding,” may result in blackouts and brownouts, jeopardizing public health, safety, and welfare.
These two executive orders align with Sherrill’s campaign promise to declare a state of emergency regarding utility costs. Together, they aim to provide immediate relief while outlining longer-term strategies to tackle the rising energy expenses that have made living in New Jersey increasingly costly.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is sworn in during her inauguration ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J., on Jan. 20, 2026. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters / Reuters)
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“In the Navy, I learned that you have to lead, follow, or get out of the way — and I promised the people of New Jersey that I would be on a mission to deliver starting Day One. That’s why I’m beginning my term as governor by taking immediate action to deliver on some of the key issues impacting New Jerseyans,” Sherrill stated in a statement released by her office.
The orders addressing utility costs are part of a broader series of six orders that Sherrill signed upon taking office. The third order establishes a code of ethics for her administration, while the fourth creates the Office of the Chief Operating Officer within the Governor’s Office. The fifth order sets up a Cross-Agency Permitting Team within the new Office of the COO, and the sixth focuses on protecting children online, particularly concerning mental health.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed two executive orders on utility costs while delivering her inauguration speech.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was sworn in on Tuesday and took immediate action by signing her first executive orders even before concluding her inauguration speech.
“So, right now, yes, before I even finish this speech, I am going to sign my first in a series of executive orders to declare a State of Emergency on Utility Costs,” Sherrill announced to the audience.
The first executive order mandates the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to evaluate the possibility of pausing or modifying proposed utility rate increases. Additionally, it requires NJBPU to review utility business models and utilize existing funds to mitigate anticipated electricity supply increases in 2026.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill shows her first executive order following being sworn in during her inauguration ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J., on Jan. 20, 2026. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters / Reuters)
“The current cost of electricity has reached the point of crisis for many residents and families, and requires bold action to provide short-term relief and medium and long-term strategies and reforms to improve our energy system,” the order states.
The second executive order instructs state agencies and regulators to expedite new power generation initiatives, including solar, battery storage, and nuclear energy. It also aims to reduce permitting and interconnection delays that hinder projects and inflate costs.
A solar farm produces electricity near Bakersfield, Texas, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
WHITE HOUSE ‘LASER FOCUSED’ ON AFFORDABILITY AS TRUMP SOFTENS TARIFF STRATEGY
The order emphasizes that without the “swift addition of new generation or a slowdown in demand growth,” the grid’s reliability could be compromised during peak periods, potentially leading to power restrictions. This practice, known as “load shedding,” may result in blackouts and brownouts, jeopardizing public health, safety, and welfare.
These two executive orders align with Sherrill’s campaign promise to declare a state of emergency regarding utility costs. Together, they aim to provide immediate relief while outlining longer-term strategies to tackle the rising energy expenses that have made living in New Jersey increasingly costly.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is sworn in during her inauguration ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J., on Jan. 20, 2026. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters / Reuters)
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
“In the Navy, I learned that you have to lead, follow, or get out of the way — and I promised the people of New Jersey that I would be on a mission to deliver starting Day One. That’s why I’m beginning my term as governor by taking immediate action to deliver on some of the key issues impacting New Jerseyans,” Sherrill stated in a statement released by her office.
The orders addressing utility costs are part of a broader series of six orders that Sherrill signed upon taking office. The third order establishes a code of ethics for her administration, while the fourth creates the Office of the Chief Operating Officer within the Governor’s Office. The fifth order sets up a Cross-Agency Permitting Team within the new Office of the COO, and the sixth focuses on protecting children online, particularly concerning mental health.
