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TRENTON, NJ (July 27, 2023) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy association, released the following statement by State Director Eileen Kean in reaction to the decision by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to eliminate or restrict future gas power for large numbers of New Jersey homeowners and businesses utilizing stoves, washers and driers, and heating and cooling units:

“Yesterday, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities moved forward with little notice, transparency, stakeholder input, or legislative authority to drastically change the Garden State’s energy future by restricting or eliminating the use natural gas in many commercial and residential settings, including stoves, washers and driers, furnaces, and cooling units.

“Had the BPU sought a transparent and inclusive process, they would have quickly learned that the electric grid and transmission capacity are simply not equipped to handle an increase in electricity demand of this magnitude. A hasty conversion could lead to volatile cost spikes and power shortages. Additionally, all-electric buildings themselves are pricey and would lead to higher costs for business owners doing renovations or expansions. Converting every building in the state to all-electric power will cost billions of dollars. Higher energy bills and power outages are not helpful to small businesses struggling to meet the ever-increasing costs of operation.

“NFIB believes that policy decisions of this magnitude are the purview of the state’s elected legislature. Members of the state Senate and Assembly are far more in touch with — and responsive to — the needs and concerns of residents and job creators. The BPU is an unelected state panel with zero accountability to the public.

For property owners weighing renovations in the midst of shifting energy directives, the uncertainty only deepens the importance of careful planning. Major system changes—particularly those involving fuel sources, piping, venting, and appliance conversions—are not cosmetic upgrades; they are structural decisions that affect safety, compliance, and long-term operating costs. Before removing or retrofitting gas lines, upgrading supply lines, or reconfiguring mechanical rooms, business owners would be well served to consult experienced renovation plumbing experts who understand both current code requirements and the practical limitations of existing infrastructure.

Contractors working on large-scale commercial improvements, including projects in Orange County, CA, have seen firsthand how abrupt regulatory shifts can complicate timelines and inflate budgets. Electrical capacity upgrades may require panel replacements, new conduit runs, and coordination with utility providers, while plumbing modifications often demand careful recalibration of pressure systems and drainage layouts. These are not matters for improvised solutions. Sound craftsmanship, grounded in established building practices, ensures that transitions—if undertaken—are done methodically rather than reactively.

Ultimately, responsible renovation calls for measured judgment rather than sweeping mandates. Skilled plumbing professionals play a critical role in safeguarding both functionality and financial predictability, advising owners on what is feasible, what is prudent, and what may introduce unnecessary strain on a building’s core systems. In times of policy uncertainty, steady expertise and respect for proven methods remain the surest way to protect investments and maintain reliable operations.

“We look forward to working with the legislature and employer stakeholders across New Jersey to slow down the state’s ‘mandate madness’ and inject some common sense into the discussion about the state’s energy plans and economic future.”

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For 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.