The impact to the consumer for electrification policies is staggering. With the removal of natural gas as a fuel option, New Jersey’s “State Energy Master Plan (EMP)” would eliminate more than $11.5 billion saved by households in energy expenses, and nearly $9.7 billion saved by businesses, all without establishing whether this is the least cost and most effective pathway to reduce emissions2. A survey of California families shows it will cost $7,300 to retrofit a home with electric appliances and $387/year more in energy bills, yet the state’s laws lead to that result3. Further, a national study shows families would have to spend, on average $4,847, to replace four common household appliances: range, dryer, water heater, and furnace4. APGA encourages consideration of these dramatic costs when evaluating policies. Energy efficiency gains should not come at undue consumer expense.
[2] Consumer Energy Alliance, “A Steady Stream of Natural Gas Provides Affordable Energy to New Jersey Residents and Helps the Garden State Grow,” https://consumerenergyalliance.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/061219_NJ-Energy-Savings-Report_FINAL.pdf.
[3] Navigant Consulting, “Impacts of Residential Appliance Electrification,” https://c4bes.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Navigant-Report-Impacts-of-Residential-Appliance-Electrification.pdf.
[4] Consumer Energy Alliance, “Green New Deal Would Cost American Consumers Almost $244 Billion in Just Four Appliances,” https://consumerenergyalliance.org/2019/02/green-new-deal-would-cost-american-consumers-244-billion-four-appliances/.