Eric DeGesero
Executive vice president
Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey
What is your organization’s role in the clean energy space?
“The Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey is trying to engage the public and the Legislature regarding Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of electrifying the building sector, both new and existing. The governor has publicly highlighted many of his highest-profile Energy Master Plan goals (solar, wind, nuclear, electric vehicles and wind manufacturing). Not only did the governor campaign and win twice championing these ideas, be he also worked collaboratively with the Legislature to enact them. Interestingly, the governor has never highlighted building electrification. This policy will impact every new and existing residential, commercial, industrial and institutional building in the state. It will impact citizens in numerous capacities; as homeowners or renters, as business owners or tenants, taxpayers (many government buildings, especially schools, are impacted) and as ratepayers. Not only has the governor not highlighted this policy, he is in the process of enacting it with the legislative collaboration he did on all the other aspects of the Energy Master Plan. Why is that?
That’s why we are calling on the Legislature to consider S2671/A3935, bills that require a 24-month “time out” on building electrification for more detailed study and recommendations to the Legislature. The governor has 44 months left in his term. The current DEP electric boiler regulations take effect in 32 months.“
How does your organization promote and enable greater energy efficiency and sustainability?
“The Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey represents retail heating fuel distributors and HVACR contractors. Our multigenerational small business members install high efficiency HVAC equipment today and will deliver a new fuel tomorrow, one that meets the net zero goals of the Energy Master Plan, if given the opportunity. Our members have sold energy-efficient equipment for decades. In the 1970s, the average home used about 1,700 gallons of fuel annually. Today, it’s less than 900 gallons. Not many industries sell you a product that enables you to lessen your relationship with them. Unfortunately, our members are not allowed to continue in business. Not because we don’t agree that we should have to meet the Energy Master Plan’s goal, but because we can’t meet the goal in the only manner the governor allows, the proscriptive and costly policy of electrifying everything.“
What are the biggest challenges New Jersey faces today in its efforts to transition from oil and gas to renewable energy?
“Cost of building electrification — and the governor’s unwillingness to accept net zero carbon alternatives to the incumbent fossil fuels. These alternatives can help meet the policy objective of net zero carbon energy in a dramatically less expensive manner than the governor’s all-eggs-in-one-basket policy of electrifying everything.”
How do your organization’s efforts play into economic and environmental advancements?
“We are advocating that less expensive manners be pursued to achieve the goal of dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
What do you see as New Jersey’s biggest long-term obstacles to getting to net zero by 2050?
“Cost of building electrification — and the governor’s unwillingness to accept net zero carbon alternatives to the incumbent fossil fuels. These alternatives can help meet the policy objective of net zero carbon energy in a dramatically less expensive manner than the governor’s all-eggs-in-one-basket policy of electrifying everything.”
