The cost of electricity will decrease slightly for most New Jersey residents and small- and medium-sized businesses from June 1. Customers of PSE&G will see their average estimated electric bill decrease by 2.8%. JCP&L customers will see a decrease of just over 1%. The new rates are set following an annual electricity auction, the results of which were approved by the Board of Public Utilities on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the state Senate Environment and Energy Committee is scheduled to consider legislation that would set up a financial assistance and loan program to help state entities and school districts finance energy-efficient projects. Another bill before the committee would establish an office of clean-energy equity within the Board of Public Utilities to set up community solar programs and make sure that clean-energy projects are rolled out in an equitable way.
New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson has halted production of its COVID-19 vaccine, according to a report in The New York Times. The report says Johnson & Johnson quietly stopped production at a plant in the Netherlands and was using the plant to work on a different drug. The report says the facility is expected to return to COVID-19 vaccine production, but it’s not clear when. The Times says the shutdown comes as Johnson & Johnson has fallen behind on delivering vaccines to poor countries. Johnson & Johnson responded that the company was “focused on ensuring our vaccine is available where people are in need.”
Analysts will be keeping a close eye on New Jersey’s sportsbooks following this weekend’s Super Bowl. New Jersey is facing new competition from New York, where sports betting was recently legalized. Lou Monaco, who follows the market for EmpireStakes.com, says while New Jersey’s sports betting market has done well, New York is already on track to break New Jersey’s record.
