TRENTON — Governor Mikie Sherrill signed three pieces of energy legislation and announced immediate bill credits for New Jersey utility customers, actions the administration says will save ratepayers more than $1 billion annually when combined with steps taken over the past six months.

The legislation includes a repeal of a utility incentive tied to regional grid membership, new state oversight requirements for utility infrastructure spending, and a measure requiring large data centers to pay for their own energy use and related grid costs rather than shifting those costs to households and small businesses.

Sherrill also announced a $25 credit for all 3.6 million New Jersey ratepayers through the Residential Universal Bill Credit program, along with an additional $150 credit for lower- to moderate-income households through the Residential Energy Assistance Payment program.

“For too long, New Jersey families have paid the price for poor oversight, outdated policies, and rising demand on our electric grid by unchecked actors,” Sherrill said. “Today, we’re putting money back into people’s pockets while holding utility companies and large data centers accountable through stronger oversight and smarter incentives that will drive down costs and strengthen our grid.”

According to the administration, one of the bills eliminates a provision that allowed utility companies to add to their return on equity for participating in the regional transmission organization known as PJM, a cost that had been passed to customers through higher transmission rates. A second bill requires utility companies to seek state approval before constructing certain infrastructure projects, following findings that supplemental project spending accounted for 79 percent of New Jersey ratepayer transmission expenses between 2008 and 2025. A third bill creates a new rate structure for data centers, requiring them to pay for their own energy use and infrastructure needs and to reduce demand before residential customers are affected during periods of grid strain.

The Board of Public Utilities also renewed the Summer Termination Program, which protects vulnerable households from utility shutoffs during extreme heat, and approved 12 new solar projects expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 45,000 homes.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said the Legislature has prioritized measures to address both immediate and long-term energy costs. Assemblyman John Bailey, D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, said the data center measure is intended to prevent households and small businesses from bearing the cost of new data center connections to the grid. Dawone Robinson, managing director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the measures could help lower costs if implemented effectively, while cautioning that “smart implementation will be essential” to deliver the intended benefits.

ASBURY PARK — Mentors and youth participants from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey recently attended a FIFA World Cup 2026 match together at NYNJ Stadium, sharing a day of cheering, laughter, and shared memories.

The organization said the outing reflects its broader approach to mentorship, which emphasizes shared experiences alongside one-on-one conversations to help young people build confidence and see new possibilities.

The organization thanked Governor Mikie Sherrill for helping make the outing possible.

Celebrating 50 years of impact, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey has provided professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships between children and adult volunteers. The organization serves 10 counties across New Jersey, including Morris County, and says its programs help young people grow into confident, capable, and compassionate individuals.

Those interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, or in donating to the organization, can visit mentornj.org.

PARSIPPANY — People always say a dream can only go so far, but a vision is the one that grows. That is the definition of Hopeful Hands. What started as a simple idea grew into a student-led initiative that supports NICU parents through handmade care packages.

I am Joanna Mathew, a high school student and the founder of Hopeful Hands, a handmade care package initiative that serves and shares love with NICU parents.

Hopeful Hands has been active for just over a year. Over that time, the initiative has distributed more than 50 care packages, connected with NICU parents, built a team, and grown an online following. We also partnered with the maternal ward at Saint Clare’s Denville, and we recently crossed 1,000 followers on Instagram.

All this success is great, but it makes me want to go back to my roots — the “why” of Hopeful Hands. Why NICU parents? Why care packages? Why care at such a young age? This is the story behind Hopeful Hands.

I grew up hearing the same story over and over again. Every child has a birth story. Mine was a little different. Most birth stories sound something like, “You looked just like your mom the moment I laid eyes on you.” Mine was far from that. Mine goes more like this: “You used to wear your father’s wedding ring as a bangle,” and “the nurses and doctors weren’t sure you would survive.”

Looking back, I truly believe a miracle happened. I was born at about 24 weeks’ gestation. I spent almost four months in the NICU and had multiple health complications, including bronchitis. I relied on oxygen support for most of my time there, and it was my parents’ endless prayers and the amazing doctors, practitioners, and nurses who supported us that got me through.

Hopeful Hands is my way of giving back. The NICU is one of the scariest places for both a child and their parents — waking up every day just hoping and praying that your child will live, seeing a tiny, premature baby struggle. My parents experienced this firsthand, and it was the most emotionally difficult experience of their lives.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this essay, it all started as a dream. It was just an idea. I remember thinking, “It would be so impactful to start something like this.” For a while, it just stayed an idea, until I worked for it, and my dream became a reality. It was no longer a dream, but a working vision.

If this story resonated with you, I invite you to support Hopeful Hands as we continue to serve NICU families, whether through donations or by simply sharing our mission with the world. To learn more, follow us on Instagram or reach out to us by email at [email protected].

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County 250th Anniversary Celebrations Committee, in partnership with the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, will host a free day of patriotic festivities on Saturday, July 11, to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest freshwater lake.

The celebration begins at 11:00 a.m. and features a Patriotic Boat Parade, an All Fleet Sail, a Paddler Flotilla, live music, family-friendly entertainment, and community celebrations around the lake.

Boaters are encouraged to decorate their vessels in red, white and blue and join the Patriotic Boat Parade, departing from Nolan’s Point at 11:00 a.m., with participants gathering in Great Cove by 10:45 a.m. Sailboats are invited to take part in the All Fleet Sail, departing from Bertrand Island to Halsey Island at 11:30 a.m., with vessels gathering in front of the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club at 11:15 a.m. Kayakers, canoeists and paddleboarders are welcome to join the Paddler Flotilla, gathering on the north side of Lakeside Village at noon.

“Whether you’ve lived here for years or are visiting Lake Hopatcong for the first time, this celebration is a wonderful opportunity to experience the natural beauty, recreation and history that make Morris County so special,” said Morris County Commissioner Christine Myers, a member of the Morris County 250th Anniversary Celebrations Committee. “We invite everyone out to celebrate America’s 250th birthday out on the water while creating lasting memories with family, friends and neighbors.”

“Lake Hopatcong has always been more than a lake — it has been a gathering place where history, community, and tradition come together,” said Marty Kane, chair of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and president of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum. “For generations, people have come here to celebrate holidays, spend time with family, and create lasting memories. As America marks its 250th anniversary, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on our shared history while bringing people together in one of New Jersey’s most iconic places. I can think of no better setting to celebrate.”

Residents and businesses throughout the lake communities are encouraged to decorate their docks, homes and storefronts in patriotic colors and join the celebration.

“As our nation celebrates 250 years of independence, this event provides a unique way to honor our shared history while enjoying one of New Jersey’s most treasured destinations,” said Sarah Neibart, executive director of the Morris County 250th Anniversary Celebrations Committee. “We hope residents and visitors alike will join us in creating a memorable and patriotic celebration on the lake.”

The event is part of Morris County’s countywide America 250 initiative, commemorating the county’s role in the American Revolution while encouraging residents and visitors to explore its historic sites, communities and destinations.

For a complete schedule of events, visit the America’s 250th Birthday on Lake Hopatcong event page. To learn more about Morris County’s America 250 celebration, visit morriscounty250.morristourism.org.

MORRIS COUNTY — History fans can experience one of the most compelling chapters of the American Revolution on Tuesday, July 14, at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road.

The museum will host a special screening of “Drive By History: The Worst Winter of the Revolution: 1779-80,” a PBS episode that explores the Continental Army’s encampment at Jockey Hollow and Morris County’s pivotal role in America’s fight for independence.

The evening begins with a VIP cocktail reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for $30.00, followed by a free screening and live question-and-answer session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with creator and host Ken Magos.

Attendees will hear firsthand how the story was brought to life and gain new insight into one of the most significant Revolutionary War sites in the nation.

Registration is required by clicking here.