NJUA - New Jersey Utilities Association

June is #PrideMonth. NJUA applauds all our member companies that dedicate themselves to the diversity of ideas, thoughts and experiences that better serve employees and customers throughout NJ!

Here are just some of the great highlights from our 2024 Annual Conference in Long Branch this week. Thank you to our sponsors, exhibitors, attendees and speakers. It’s never too early to get excited about our 110th-annual conference, coming in 2025!

It was an incredible two-day NJUA conference at the sun-splashed Jersey Shore, filled with informative seminars, networking, receptions and even some golf. Thank you to our generous sponsors, our interesting exhibitors and our many engaged attendees. We are already thinking about the 110th-annual conference, coming next spring! #NJUA #njutilities

Incorporating innovation, safeguarding against cyberthreats, recruiting more staff, balancing climate change with ratepayer impact, and implementing a comprehensive energy plan are just some of the issues before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Ex-BPU commissioners took the stage for the final session of the NJUA conference, discussing where New Jersey’s energy policy has been and where it is all headed. It was truly a “who’s who” of the state’s energy leaders. Panelists included (l-r): Maryanna Holden, Elizabeth Randall, Jeanne Fox, Upendra Chivukula, Bob Gordon, Rick Mroz, and Nick Asselta.

Brian Thompson led a great discussion about innovation and investment among the state’s utilities as part of the morning session of the NJUA conference. There is plenty of cutting-edge research and development underway as New Jersey’s utilities prepare for a clean energy future. All agreed: every technology needs to have a seat at the table, as the industry experiences unprecedented, rapid advancement. The panel featured (l-r) Pat Migliaccio, New Jersey Natural Gas; Alan Weland, Veolia; Michael Bange, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities commissioner and Nick DiRocco, South Jersey Industries. Brian is on the end.

NJUA welcomed a panel of experts discussing the establishment of the grid reliability plan for New Jersey. The panel included (l-r): Paul Heitmann of the BPU, Ed Grey of PSEG, Eric Miller of the governor’s office, Michael Demas of JCP&L, Jason Stanek of PJM and Rick Mroz of the USDOE Electric Advisory Committee. To summarize: strengthening the power grid will cost a lot more if we don’t plan for it.  The need for collaborative, long-term planning, with fair cost allocation amongst government, business and ratepayers, are critical keys to grid modernization.

NJUA welcomed Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo to help kick off the final day of the NJUA conference. As a leader of IBEW Local 269, Assemblyman DeAngelo led the implementation of one of the state's first large solar panel systems to encourage energy independence and promote use of alternative sources of energy. During his remarks, the assemblyman proudly displayed his union logo.

There was plenty to discuss, as one would imagine, for the panel titled "Transforming New Jersey's Ratemaking Model" at the NJUA Conference today in Long Branch. The panel included (l-r) Joe Accardo of PSEG, Jay Ziminsky of Pepco Holdings, Stacy Peterson of the BPU, NJ Rate Counsel Brian Lipman and Heike Doerr of SP Global. The moderator was Brian Thompson, formerly of NBC.

No one wanted to miss the afternoon session at the NJUA Conference - titled "Building a Higher-Reliability Organization." It featured an incredible panel of (l-r) Dennis Pavagadhi of JCP&L, NJ Transit Police Chief Chris Trucillo, Jason Newman of J. Fletcher Creamer and Mark McKoy of Aqua America. The moderator, on left, was Brian Thompson.

Two Jersey giants in security - Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and NJ TRANSIT Chief Christopher Trucillo - were presenters at the annual NJUA Conference. Both discussed the latest efforts to keep New Jerseyans safe, as part of creating safe, secure, high-reliability organizations. NJUA was honored to welcome Secretary Chertoff - an Elizabeth native - as the keynote speaker at the NJUA Conference. Secretary Chertoff spoke with ROI-NJ's Tom Bergeron about ways in which utilities can fight against cyberattacks. The Secretary highlighted how our cyber infrastructure needs to be protected, just like air, land, sea and space. The keys to fighting cyber threats: Awareness, Vigilance and a Plan.