TRENTON – Gov. Phil Murphy moved quickly after Board of Public Utilities (BPU) President Joseph Fiordaliso died suddenly Sept. 6 at the age of 78. Murphy selected his former senior aide and Cabinet Secretary Christine Guhl-Sadovy as the BPU’s new president.

The BPU has been at the center of Murphy’s ambitious push into clean energy. Fiordaliso in many ways became the face of the state’s offshore wind initiative, leading the BPU through numerous struggles with local officials.

Fiordaliso had been a BPU commissioner since 2005, served under three governors and was made president of the BPU by Murphy in January 2018.

Guhl-Sadovy is no stranger to the utility regulator, having served as the BPU’s chief of staff during her time working at the board. She is a past employee of the Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Guhl-Sadovy served as a senior aide to Murphy prior to his nominating her as a BPU commissioner in June. Given her standing as a current commissioner, Murphy’s appointment of her as board president is not subject to a Senate confirmation process.

The BPU is heavily involved in Murphy’s goals for the electrification of homes and businesses as well as the push into offshore wind. Guhl-Sadovy’s appointment comes at a particularly challenging time as opposition to the offshore wind initiative mounts and wind farm developer Ørsted has signaled some uncertainty as to whether it will continue to work on its portfolio of offshore wind projects, which include Ocean Wind I and II.

Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.