Declan O’Scanlon, Republican Senator for New Jersey’s 13th District, said a new study shows residential electricity costs in the state increased faster than in neighboring states, attributing the rise to Democratic energy policies.
“NJ Monthly article makes it clear, Democrat attempts at obfuscation notwithstanding, it is Murphy/Democrat policy choices that are driving up NJ energy costs,” said O’scanlon. “The study found that residential electricity customers in New Jersey have seen the highest rate increases in the mid-Atlantic region and among the highest in the nation. The average household now pays more than 51 percent more for power than it did in 2015, some 15 percentage points above the national average. New Jersey’s rate increase dwarfed hikes in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania.”
O’Scanlon’s post on X referenced an NJ Monthly article outlining rising electricity costs in New Jersey. It cites a study revealing a 51 percent increase in average household power expenses since 2015, surpassing both national and regional averages. O’Scanlon connects these increases to policy decisions under former Governor Phil Murphy and Democrat leadership.
A study from Seton Hall University shows that New Jersey’s energy policies from 2015 to 2025 resulted in the highest electricity rate increases in the mid-Atlantic region. Households are paying 51 percent more for power. In contrast, neighboring states like New York and Pennsylvania experienced smaller hikes by maintaining fossil fuel plants alongside renewables. This disparity underscores the fiscal impact on New Jersey residents due to the state’s approach.
The U.S. average residential electricity price rose from 12.65 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2015 to 16.00 cents in 2023, marking a 26 percent increase driven by fuel costs and infrastructure needs. National data reveals varied impacts across states based on energy source diversification, with policies emphasizing renewables without backups contributing to higher adjustments in some areas.
O’Scanlon has been serving as Senator for New Jersey’s 13th District since 2018 after his tenure in the General Assembly from 2008 to 2018. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and finance from Monmouth University and is CEO of a telecommunications firm. His political career began on the Little Silver Borough Council from 1994 to 2007.
