For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
NJBPU Announces Charging Ecosystem Order for Medium and Heavy Duty Electric Vehicles
TRENTON, NJ - Today the NJ Board of Public Utilities issued an order adopting a final Medium and Heavy Duty Charging Ecosystem Order, which will further the infrastructure for and adoption of medium and heavy duty (MHD) electric vehicles in New Jersey. The final order will speed the way for utility programs enabling vehicle electrification throughout New Jersey, and in particular encourages electrification in overburdened communities, helping to realize the benefits of electrifying some of the dirtiest polluting vehicles in the state rapidly and equitably.
With this order, the Board sets the minimum requirements for utilities to play their vital role in building out the grid to support vehicle electrification of things like school buses, transit fleets, port infrastructure, and trucking. Electrifying these sectors will dramatically reduce the harmful NOx and particulate matter pollution that afflicts New Jerseyans, including the millions who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments.
A coalition including the NJ Sierra Club, NRDC, NJ League of Conservation Voters, Environment New Jersey, NJ Sustainable Business Council, and the NJ Conservation Foundation submitted substantial technical comments to the BPU in January 2023, following up on earlier comments in October 2021 with suggested improvements to earlier draft Ecosystem orders. A large majority of these suggestions have been incorporated, dramatically improving vehicle electrification policy in New Jersey.
“The NJ Sierra Club is thrilled to see the NJBPU’s Medium and Heavy Duty Charging Ecosystem Order or Straw Proposal finally moving forward. This is a huge milestone not only for clean transportation, but also for climate and clean air. New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in the nation, and as such our transportation sector is one of the dirtiest. Electrifying fleets at a local and state level will directly benefit our communities who experience roadway pollution,” said Anjuli Ramos Busot, Director of the NJ Sierra Club. “We are hopeful the utilities in the state will follow through with good programs to electrify our fleets and charging infrastructure that contain equity provisions. We must ensure that the electrification of our fleets and highways is not an exclusive process, but one that leaves no one behind.”
"NJPEEC applauds this important decision as electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is pivotal step towards addressing one of the major sources of toxins targeting the health and quality of life of our most vulnerable residents," said Marcus Sibley, Chair of the New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition. "We acknowledge the environmental & human harm that rare earth mining can cause, and support companies that use recycled materials and the best ethical standards in making the products moving our modes of transportation forward."
“This action on the medium heavy duty vehicle straw proposal by NJBPU was a long time coming, but has been worth the wait. Providing more charging for electric delivery vans, trucks, school buses and transit buses, especially for public fleets, is the path forward to clean our air and clean our fleets. Diesel air pollution is a public health menace that directly pollutes our lungs, especially in our urban communities, and this Board action will help pave the way for an electric bus and truck future,” said Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey.
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