DeAngelo Highlights Need for Immediate, Practical Action to Strengthen New Jersey’s Energy Grid

(Monroe, NJ) — During a recent talk before energy leaders, policymakers, and industry experts at the New Jersey Energy Policy Coalition, Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo, Chair of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, delivered a clear message: New Jersey must move from discussion to deployment to secure its energy future.

Assemblyman DeAngelo, a 27-year electrician and longtime labor leader, emphasized that solving the state’s energy challenges requires both policy vision and real-world execution.

“We all understand the issue,” said Assemblyman DeAngelo. “The question is how we resolve it — responsibly, realistically, and quickly.”

New Jersey currently generates roughly two-thirds of the electricity it consumes, relying heavily on imported power. With increasing demand from electric vehicle charging, building electrification, and large-scale data centers connecting to the regional grid, the state faces a growing generation gap estimated at six to eight gigawatts.

Assemblyman DeAngelo underscored that the challenge is not theoretical — it is mathematical.

“When you’re operating near peak capacity during extreme heat or cold, and then layer in new demand without matching generation, you strain the system," the Assemblyman said. "That’s not politics — that’s physics.”

A Balanced, All-of-the-Above Strategy

Assemblyman DeAngelo highlighted recently enacted legislation supporting expanded battery storage and solar development, while stressing that implementation must accelerate to meet current demand.

He called for:

• Expanded battery storage deployment, including repurposing vacant industrial properties in urban communities — creating local jobs while strengthening grid resilience.

• Accelerated solar buildout, particularly in areas that have historically lacked access to clean energy investment.

• Short-term natural gas reliability, to stabilize the grid over the next four to six years as longer-term assets come online.

• Serious advancement of nuclear expansion, including exploring additional capacity at existing facilities to provide stable, carbon-free baseload power.

• Addressing grid interconnection delays, which are slowing critical energy projects from connecting to the system.

“Battery storage can come online quickly. Nuclear provides long-term stability. Natural gas ensures reliability in the transition. We need all of it working together,” Assemblyman DeAngelo said.

Workforce Reality Matters

Drawing from decades of experience building and maintaining substations, duct banks, and major energy infrastructure, Assemblyman DeAngelo stressed that energy policy must align with on-the-ground construction realities.

“There are timelines, materials, skilled labor requirements, and engineering constraints that can’t be ignored,” he said. “If we want solutions that work, we have to listen to the people who build and maintain the grid.”

He pledged to continue educating newly elected lawmakers on how power generation, transmission, and distribution function — including visits to power plants, substations, and grid operators — so policy decisions reflect operational reality.

Protecting Ratepayers

Assemblyman DeAngelo also called for immediate consideration of measures to provide relief to ratepayers while long-term supply solutions are built out.

“Families are feeling this,” he said. “We need to balance long-term infrastructure investments with short-term affordability.”

Moving From Talk to Action

Assemblyman DeAngelo concluded by urging collaboration among labor, utilities, regulators, and policymakers.

“This room represents the expertise New Jersey needs. If we work together — and act with urgency — we can secure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for our state.”