Newsroom & Public Notices

TRENTON, N.J. – (February 13, 2026) – Emma Rebhorn and Joseph Coviello are the newest commissioners of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), filling two vacancies on the five-member Board. Both commissioners were nominated to the NJBPU by former Governor Phil Murphy and unanimously confirmed by the New Jersey State Senate January 12, 2026.

"Having a fully seated Board again will help to further enhance the NJBPU’s ability address affordability while maintaining the reliability and safety of utility services our residents and businesses depend on," NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said.

"Commissioner Rebhorn brings a wealth of experience as an attorney working on energy policy issues and comes at a critical time for the state. Commissioner Coviello's nearly decade of experience managing essential water utility infrastructure brings the operational expertise necessary to maintain stable, dependable systems across the state," Guhl-Sadovy said.

"Together, they strengthen our capacity to meet the needs of New Jersey's utility customers and continue to support New Jersey's economic competitiveness. The work ahead in 2026 demands both strategic vision and practical execution—particularly as we focus on reducing costs for ratepayers while ensuring system reliability. These appointments position us well to deliver on both fronts. Welcome to both."

The appointments come as the NJBPU works to implement Governor Sherrill’s executive orders ensuring affordability is the centerpiece of state energy policy. Governor Sherrill’s Executive Orders 1 and 2 focus on rate stabilization, regulatory reforms, and rapidly deploying new generation, all designed to reduce the financial burden on ratepayers while encouraging important infrastructure investments that will increase energy supply.

Commissioner Rebhorn is a clean energy policy expert with extensive experience in climate strategy. She most recently served as Deputy Executive Director of the Climate Jobs National Resource Center (CJNRC), a national organization dedicated to advancing worker- and equity-centered climate solutions. In that role, she led national clean energy deployment campaigns, built inter-regional labor partnerships, and advised coalitions and labor unions to align clean energy deployment with labor standards, community benefits, and environmental protections.

In addition, Commissioner Rebhorn brings extensive litigation and corporate counsel experience in practice areas including antitrust, bankruptcy, civil rights, labor, and employment law, including as assistant general counsel to the United Steelworkers International Union, the nation’s largest private sector union, and as general counsel to Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), New Jersey's largest union of nurses and health professionals. Rebhorn has contributed to national clean energy policy initiatives and has worked at the intersection of worker advocacy, community engagement, and strategic communications throughout her career.

Commissioner Coviello brings extensive operational and infrastructure management expertise to the Board. As Deputy Executive Director of the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA), Coviello has overseen one of New Jersey's largest public utility systems, managing water and sewer services for nearly 300,000 Jersey City residents.

At JCMUA, Commissioner Coviello's responsibilities encompassed day-to-day operations, long-term capital infrastructure planning, and administration of major contracts and compliance programs. He previously served as Acting Executive Director, where he championed initiatives including Jersey City's green infrastructure incentive program and advanced water meter modernization projects. Since joining JCMUA in 2017, his career has included advancement through senior management, including earlier service as Director of Public Affairs. His hands-on experience with cost management and operational efficiency will be essential as the Board works to balance infrastructure needs with affordability concerns.

Commissioner Coviello brings extensive utility management experience to the Board and is committed to serving all of New Jersey.

"I am excited to bring a strong operational perspective to the Board and look forward to work alongside my fellow commissioners to ensure New Jersey's utilities remain safe, reliable, and prepared for the future," Commissioner Coviello said. "After years of managing essential infrastructure systems, I understand the responsibility of maintaining system integrity while delivering affordability and value for ratepayers."

Commissioners Rebhorn and Coviello join President Guhl-Sadovy and Commissioners Dr. Zenon Christodoulou and Michael Bange on the five-member Board.

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is a state regulatory authority established to ensure that critical utility services — including electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and cable television — are provided safely, reliably, and at reasonable rates to all New Jersey customers. The Board's regulatory mandate emphasizes consumer protection, cost management, and long-term system planning. It also promotes energy efficiency, infrastructure modernization, and policies that balance reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship to benefit consumers and the environment alike.

For more information about the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, visit www.nj.gov/bpu.