Credit: (NJBPU)Gov. Phil Murphy announced he would appoint Christine Guhl-Sadovy, a former top aide and one-time chief of staff to the Board of Public Utilities, as president of the agency.
Guhl-Sadovy, who joined the commission in June, will succeed Joseph Fiordaliso, who died last week. The governor also is expected to nominate Stephanie Lagos, who served both as deputy and later chief of staff to first lady Tammy Murphy to replace Guhl-Sadovy as commissioner.
The shuffling of the five-member agency comes at a turbulent time, as it moves forward with key components of the administration’s clean-energy agenda, including increasing questions about Murphy’s signature goal to make New Jersey the hub of an emerging offshore wind sector along the Eastern Seaboard.
Guhl-Sadovy once worked at the New Jersey branch of the Sierra Club, as well as legislative director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. At the BPU, she was chief of staff before moving over to the governor’s office as cabinet secretary.
As governor, Murphy gets to name the president of the BPU, without his choice being subjected to confirmation by the state Senate.
No significant change in goals
The revamping of the board, first disclosed by the New Jersey Globe, is unlikely to lead to any significant changes in Murphy’s goal of a 100% clean-energy economy by 2040, according to Trenton insiders who follow the agency more closely.
In recent months, the agenda has come under increasing scrutiny and criticism from opponents of offshore wind; consumer and business advocates concerned about the transition to more expensive renewable energy; and Republican lawmakers, who cite both issues.
In appointing Guhl-Sadovy, Murphy in a news release praised Fiordaliso, who served on the commission for 17 years, along with his choice for president, a lifelong resident of New Jersey.
“I look forward to Christine guiding our work to responsibly transition New Jersey to a clean-energy economy while putting the needs of consumers and New Jersey first,’’ the governor said.
Clean-energy advocates approve
Guhl-Sadovy said she is “deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Joe Fiordaliso but will do everything I can to honor his legacy as BPU president.’’ At the BPU, she was instrumental in helping draft the Energy Master Plan, a blueprint for transitioning to cleaner energy, such as solar and offshore wind.
The appointment was praised by clean-energy advocates. “She’s a force in her own right and is committed to fighting climate change,’’ said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey.
The nomination of Lagos is expected to be taken up in the lame-duck Legislature, following this fall’s election. A former Peace Corps volunteer, she also served as legislative director for Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic).
