Media Blamed Clean Energy, But They Were wrong
A recent investigation by watchdog Media Matters reveals that media companies owned by Rupert Murdoch, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, wrongly blamed clean energy mandates for soaring electricity bills in New Jersey. These outlets pointed fingers at green initiatives, but energy experts and state agencies say the real culprits are massive demand from data centers and slow grid connections for new power projects. This misinformation campaign, which Media Matters calls a "scapegoat" strategy, could impact how clean energy is perceived nationwide. The accurate understanding of these issues is crucial as states like New Jersey push for ambitious 100 percent clean electricity goals.
For months, media outlets like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post have published opinion pieces and reports suggesting that New Jersey's high electricity prices are a direct result of the state's clean energy goals. However, a closer look by Media Matters, a non-profit dedicated to monitoring media misinformation, found these claims to be misleading. According to their reports, these outlets have created a false narrative, diverting attention from the true causes.
State energy officials and experts point to entirely different reasons for the dramatic increase in power bills. A major factor is the explosive growth of data centers, which are consuming vast amounts of electricity. PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, estimates these data centers will add an astonishing 30 gigawatts of demand by 2030, equivalent to powering 20 million homes. This surge in demand isn't being met because of delays in connecting new power sources to the grid. There are currently over 1,300 energy projects, mostly renewables, waiting for approval from PJM, as highlighted by Energy Innovation. If even a fraction of these renewables were online, they could have significantly lowered costs.
Contrary to the media narrative, New Jersey's long-term clean energy targets, like achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, are not behind the current price hikes. Many of these projects, such as offshore wind farms, are still in the planning or early construction phases and haven't even begun to impact bills. Furthermore, the retirement of older coal and nuclear plants, which some outlets also blamed, was driven by economic factors and the need to meet tighter pollution rules. Keeping them open would have meant expensive upgrades, and their closure actually led to savings for ratepayers, according to New Jersey Rate Counsel.
The spread of such misinformation is concerning because it can undermine public support for essential climate action. New Jersey, like many other states, is working towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, which is vital for our planet and public health. Misleading the public about the true drivers of energy costs makes it harder to invest in the solutions that will ultimately provide stable, affordable, and clean power for everyone. It's crucial for the public to understand the real issues at play to ensure progress on climate goals isn't derailed by false accusations against clean energy.