Official Site of The State of New Jersey
This Week in NJ - November 28th, 2025
Governor Murphy Announces Release of Energy Master Plan
Governor Phil Murphy announced the release of the 2024 Energy Master Plan (EMP), a roadmap to guide future energy policy in New Jersey. The report looks back on progress made and recommends clear action steps over the next decade to provide New Jersey with a clean and affordable energy future that accomplishes the State’s demand and supply goals.
The development of the EMP spanned roughly 22 months, from early 2024 through October 2025. This edition of the EMP builds on the 2019 EMP, incorporating the latest advancements in technology, policy, and programming to create an affordable and sustainable path and leverage the benefits of the clean energy economy. The report was prepared by a consulting team from Energy and Environmental Economics (E3), ILLUME Advising, and BW Research.
“This report is the culmination of our no-regrets strategy to tackling the challenges of energy affordability, supply and demand, and climate change,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “I am proud of all that we’ve been able to achieve to make our energy sector cleaner and more efficient over the past eight years. This report’s recommendations will help guide energy policy to new heights in the future.”
The core output of the 2024 EMP is a flexible, adaptive framework of “no-regrets” strategies and policies that can be pursued regardless of the changing energy landscape. The strategies build upon the comprehensive energy programming that the Murphy Administration has built from the ground up over the past eight years.
In Sixth Round of Clemency Actions, Governor Murphy Announces Pardons and Commutations for 55 Individuals
Governor Phil Murphy announced his sixth round of clemency actions as part of his Administration’s ongoing effort to expand meaningful second chances for individuals involved in the justice system. In this latest round, his third of the month, the Governor exercised his executive authority to grant 19 commutations and 36 pardons, bringing the cumulative total to 283 grants of clemency since the launch of this historic initiative, further cementing New Jersey’s standing as The State for Second Chances.
“Each grant of clemency represents a renewed opportunity for someone who has demonstrated accountability, growth, and a sincere commitment to rebuilding their life,” said Governor Murphy. “As we approach the holiday season, I am grateful to play a small part in reuniting families and providing a second chance to each of these individuals.”
“Our Administration’s clemency initiative remains a powerful testament to what it means to lead with empathy and courage,” said Lt. Governor Tahesha Way. “More than 280 families have now experienced the impact of this work firsthand. I am incredibly proud of this initiative and the opportunities it brings to residents across our state who are ready to begin their next chapter.”
New Jersey’s Constitution gives the Governor broad discretion and the sole authority to issue pardons and commutations to individuals for State criminal convictions.
Governor Murphy Leads Multi-State Petition to Request Nationwide Monitoring of Microplastics in Drinking Water
Governor Phil Murphy led a coalition of seven states to sign a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requesting nationwide monitoring of drinking water supplies for microplastics, with the goal of better understanding the occurrence of contamination in drinking water supplies.
Joining Governor Murphy in signing the petition were Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.
The petition to Administrator Lee Zeldin requests that the EPA include microplastics in the 2027 renewal of the agency’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 6 (UCMR-6). Including a new contaminant in the UCMR – in this case, microplastics – is often the first important step in determining whether a drinking water standard is warranted.
“New Jersey is proud to lead six other states at the forefront of an emerging public health and environmental issue that affects all of us,” said Governor Murphy. “We deserve to better understand the potential for microplastics contamination in our drinking water. We appreciate the collaborative partnership of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the environmental team at the Division of Law in the Department of Law and Public Safety in helping New Jersey take the lead on this multi-state effort.”
“Pollution from microplastics is widespread across the nation and the globe, and our understanding of potential public health consequences is rapidly expanding, especially for children,” said New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “The collection of monitoring data for microplastics from the nation’s drinking water supplies is a critical first step in developing strategies and standards that will better protect the health of all Americans.”
“This is a momentous step towards gathering critical information we need about microplastics in our drinking water,” said Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. “We thank Governor Murphy for his leadership on this petition, and we appreciate the other Governors who signed on. We now call on the EPA to grant this petition. People have a right to know about microplastic contamination of their drinking water.”
Human Services to Offer Limited Reopening of the Child Care Assistance Program Application in December
Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced that the Department will start the process of reopening the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for a limited number of slots, with the goal of allowing applications for new children in January. Reopening the application will extend this vital assistance to 75,000 children.
The opportunity to apply will be first issued to families who fall into the program’s priority groups and who complete a registration form starting in December. The limited number of available slots will be offered to priority groups (in accordance with state regulation) that include families with children experiencing homelessness, children with special needs, and children from households with very low incomes. Due to the limited funding available, not all applicants who fall into a priority group and who are invited to apply may be granted assistance.
“For most New Jersey families, child care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. The child care assistance program is a vital economic lifeline that helps pay for high quality early childhood education and allows parents to continue their careers. That is why reopening applications to maximize utilization for this program is so important. We encourage families to complete the registration form as soon as it becomes available,” said Commissioner Adelman.
“Today’s decision to reopen the Child Care Assistance Program to new applicants is a significant victory for the vitality of our families, our early childhood workforce, and our state. I am grateful for the Administration’s partnership in bringing this relief back to our communities, and for the sustained efforts of the advocates, parents, and community leaders whose voices made clear just how fundamental this program is to our collective well-being,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “Child care is not just a service; it is a central cog in the system that supports our labor force, children’s academic attainment, and broader economic development. With this restoration, more families can work with confidence, knowing their children are cared for in safe, enriching, and well-resourced environments.”