The snow outside does not seem to be leaving, but there are a lot of other changes happening around us. From electrical bills, to vaccinations, immigration enforcement and real estate regulations, there is a lot to talk about this month. We delve into all of it for you in the February issue of Princeton Perspectives, What is Shaping NJ Communities Right Now?

When we asked our readers, most said their utility bills have gone up drastically over the past year. Locals around Quakerbridge Mall had some different insights and a variety of responses. How much are the winter weather and electrical rates impacting people? You can see what they have to say in this month’s Pulse of Princeton video.

While the Governor’s office and NJ Board of Public Utilities were not willing to elaborate on Governor Sherrill’s recent Executive Orders to impact high electricity supply charges, there are others willing to talk. Utility Rates Skyrocketed Last Summer. Can Governor Sherrill Finally Provide Help? delves deeper into the local impact, what is being done and what could change.

Last month, revised guidelines were released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reducing the list of recommended childhood vaccines. Our article, What Princeton Residents Need to Know About Proposed Vaccination Standards, provides more in-depth information from two long-time Princeton health professionals.

Do you want to see immigration enforcement back off, stay the same or get stronger? There are many opinions, and no matter where you stand, the policies are touching everyone. The article How do Immigration Practices Impact the Safety, Security and Stability of a Community? takes a closer look at what is happening, how people are reacting, and what affect it may be having locally.

Princeton takes pride in its community, and that also means in the way people can rent or own here. A local real estate professional walks us through recent changes in the article Understanding the Impact of New Housing Regulations in Princeton and Across the State.

Perspectives Revisited shares the latest news on topics we’ve brought to you in the past. This month we provide details on the latest roadway safety initiative and what is being done to help with food insecurity and the environment in our area and beyond.

February is already half-way over, and if you’ve been loving the snow and cold, you have had a good run. If you are looking forward to it melting and temperatures rising, you are only 124 days from the first day of summer! Until then, keep reading!

New Jersey’s electricity rates are amongst the highest across the continental United States. In fact, residential prices rose more than 33% from June 2023 through June 2025. Last summer, customers saw prices spike sharply, and aside from some temporary account credits, few changes were made to help consumers ease this burden quickly. On inauguration day, January 20, 2026, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill fulfilled a campaign promise when she enacted her first two Executive Orders, aimed at curbing the cost of electricity in the Garden State.

Sherrill’s first Executive Order requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide more universal bill credits. The governor also empowered BPU to pause or modify actions that could increase bills further, and to conduct a study on modernizing the electric distribution business. In her 2nd Executive Order, she declared a State of Emergency, established a Nuclear Power Task Force, and urged permit reform. She also created and expedited programs to expand development of new power generation.

Will these Executive Orders lead to changes that benefit locals?

HISTORY OF UTILITY PRICING IN NJ

You may recall, last summer utility pricing (mainly electricity) sharply increased. This was due to the escalation of the supply portion of residential bills. The cause is a bit complicated, but simply put, expectations for high future electricity demands drove up the pricing (mostly due to increased Artificial Intelligence use and advances). The regional grid operator for New Jersey, PJM Interconnection, held its capacity auction that locked in wholesale supply costs. Those costs skyrocketed due to this expected increase in demand and a lacking supply infrastructure to meet it. The wholesale costs are passed on to the consumer.

To help offset the spikes, which were increasingly troublesome during summer months with peak air conditioning usage, BPU, with legislative cooperation, approved a $100 residential credit. This resulted in two $50 credits on utility bills provided during the fall months last year.

The NJ Legislature also sought to assist, with the introduction of multiple bills aimed at improving affordability down the road. Many urge BPU to act, including conducting studies of alternative grid operators, alternative reactors and gathering information on data center’s electricity rates. There were also bills put forth to use alternate energy for proposed artificial intelligence data centers, to expand solar and storage programs or to redirect profits and fines to offset costs. Some of the bills were passed and signed into law, mostly those to increase transparency and conduct more studies.

None of the actions immediately offer long-term pricing easement for consumers. They may eventually, but today locals are still feeling the burden.

THE IMPACT OF HIGHER UTILITY PRICES

Princeton Perspectives asked our readers to share how they have been affected by higher utility costs. Though most have been able to manage, it has made them much more aware of their actions and caused some to make changes.

85% of respondents shared they have certainly noticed the increase. Some stated their bills have been up by as much as 20-25%. With many families already working to become more energy conscious (such as switching to LED lights and turning off lights in unoccupied rooms) it has been difficult for many to further curb electricity use.

“I’ve become very obnoxious around the house regarding utility use,” one reader shared. “Feeling cold? Put on a sweater. Still cold? Put on another sweater! Likewise in summer, we were more diligent about raising the AC temp on the second floor of our home (where the bedrooms are) during the day and reversing that at night when we don’t need cooling downstairs.”

While keeping costs down is normally up to the adults, it seems the increase in utility bills has become more of a family affair, with children also working to find alternate ways to cut back usage and save money.

CAN EXECUTIVE ORDERS LEAD TO CHANGE

Supporters of Gov. Sherrill’s Day 1 actions, putting a hold on increases and requiring credits to offset any 2026 planned increases, say it will provide some relief. Additionally, there is praise for Sherill’s moves to study and accelerate other forms of electricity options to help ease the burdens on traditional electrical grids, noting these could also lead to improvement. Does this go far enough?

Opponents say credits are great, but when will they come? They further add that the root of the pricing problems cannot be solved in this way, and any change that will come from the Executive Orders will take too much time.

The governor alone cannot have a huge impact on utility pricing. NJ is only one of 13 states (plus the District of Columbia) that are part of PJM, so it alone can’t make all the change necessary. The auction prices are the prices, regardless of what legislation is passed statewide. NJ utility companies like PSE&G mostly pass along the supply pricing to their customers, they do not profit from it. So, while BPU can review the pricing, it has little say about what it is. That being said, reforms can be enacted, urged by NJ and other states, that could allow for change over time. Additionally Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) could revise rules that could impact the pricing as well.

Rate freezes do not lower rates, and credits are only temporary. Princeton Perspectives’ readers agree the governor’s Executive Orders are an effort, yet 80% feel they will not lead to meaningful change.

“The cost should be brought down by increasing energy production, bringing nuclear energy back onboard, stopping expensive and environmentally degrading windmills and decreasing energy costs, not holding them at current high rates. Why would you want to freeze costs at a high rate instead of lowering them?” shared one respondent.

“Credits? Coming from where? To whom and how much? ‘Far enough?’ This political word salad is the equivalent of ‘we’re working on it’ and kicking the can down the road.,” said another.

While some noted it would be better for consumers if the administration legislated a rollback rather than a freeze, the government cannot dictate such pricing. There were also mentions that Trump’s cancellation of offshore windmill projects, and the long lead time needed to develop other forms of energy will not allow change to come fast enough.

Some readers shared they are excited to add solar energy to their home. It was also suggested more incentives for energy upgrades (such as buying electric cars or adding home insulation) could provide quick benefits now. NJ could also look to what other states are doing.

“We have a home in Northeast Pennsylvania and the state has a website that simplifies energy provider selection. The PA site allows me to select rate terms (6 months / 1 year / etc.), green vs. not green energy suppliers, and a few other parameters. I think this would be very useful in NJ,” a respondent added.

CHANGES LOCALS WANT TO SEE

There have been a lot of possibilities laid out through the Executive Orders and the proposed and adopted legislation. What options appeal to locals the most? What else would they like to see done?

Everything from reducing the salaries of energy executives to making data centers pay more has been suggested. But the government has little to no control over such structures. Where it could have an impact is with incentive rebates and making alternate energy sources more available.

“Bring back the tax credits to households for upgrading to solar energy. Of course this is a federal program, not state,” a reader recommends. “But this would be what would allow residents to continue to be proactive about reducing use of electricity from the grid, have the opportunity to sell the extra electricity harvested via solar panels back to the grid and help bring prices down.”

“Provide more robust state-regulated utility options for much more use of higher-efficiency home heating, cooling, and other energy use systems. The highest efficiency systems will, over their depreciable lifetime, result in a meaningful reduction in energy use and thus cost,” another reader suggests.

Beyond the types of energy available and used, there is also a hope that the root of the problem be discovered and solved for.

“A concern that is big or bigger is whether there will be enough power being reliably delivered in the future…and the governor would be well advised to take an unblinking, impartial look at exactly why power costs are going up.”

EFFORTS TO HELP

The Princeton-area’s energy company, PSE&G, controls the costs for delivery but can’t control the cost of supply – it just passes that on. But it has taken some efforts to help inform customers of their usage, which can make small inroads to reducing charges. A personalized monthly “MyEnergy” letter/email details your overall spend for the previous month and shares small changes that could be made. The messaging compares your usage to other homes nearby, of similar square footage, age and electrical abilities. In doing so, it helps determine where your energy is being used most (on heating, in the kitchen, doing laundry, etc.), so you can cut back if you are able and desire to do so. Additionally, it charts your electrical usage over time, from month to month, so you can see where you peak.

If and until big changes happen to curb the price of electricity, there are some little things that could be done to impact your costs. PSE&G frequently offers tips, such as suggesting a household could, “use the sun’s free heat by opening the window coverings on your sunny windows during the day, and then reduce heat loss by closing curtains and shades at night.”

Are you willing to try it?

NEW LANDSCAPE FOR UTILITY PRICING

Whether you make any major household changes or not, the good news is that electricity supply rates will not go up this year, in fact they will go down slightly. On February 12, 2026, BPU certified NJ’s 25th annual electricity auction for Basic Generation Service (BGS), which re-prices one-third of the supply each year. This is the default electricity supply for most New Jerseyans (unless you have chosen a 3^rd party supplier). The new pricing goes into effect on June 1^st and this year a residential customer using 650 kwh per month will experience a monthly bill decrease of $3.23. It is not a huge amount but constitutes $38.76 savings for the coming year term. Additionally, customers will be seeing billing credits as required by Sherrill’s Executive Order. Now that pricing has been certified, the BPU board will next vote on what credit amounts will be issued and when. The Executive Order requires at least an initial set of credits must be issued by July 1, 2026.

There are residents of Princeton that are in hiding, families that are scared, and community members that are rallying behind them. Local leaders have spoken out and galvanized supporting resources. Schools have been on high alert and teachers have informed students to walk in groups and record encounters on their phones. The Princeton community has been impacted.

To many, it seems like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action is occurring like never before. Though it is more publicized and more visible, enforcement of immigration and customs law is not new. And it is not new to Princeton. In recent years, locals were detained and deported under President Obama, President Biden, during President Trump’s previous term as well as today. Locals rallied on Hinds Plaza then and across Princeton now.

ICE has officially been around since 2003, formed through a merger of departments during the presidency of George W. Bush. In its previous incarnations, immigration enforcement departments, systems and services have existed since nearly the inception of the United States. As far back as 1798, the Alien Acts were amongst the first federal laws that enabled the U.S. government to detain and deport non-citizens.

President Trump won his current term, in part, on immigration and border security. Yet the actions and situations that occurred in late 2025, and so far this year, feel different to many. Whether you condemn or support them, the outcomes may have a rippling effect on the daily functioning, safety and stability of communities like Princeton.

DAILY FUNCTIONING

Regular daily functioning means being able to go about your day as you would any other. To travel to a job, take children to school, pick up groceries and more. For the most vulnerable in Princeton, they are discovering a paralyzing impact from the latest ICE actions, unsure whether it is safe to walk out of their homes and onto the streets. From the undocumented to immigrants who do have proper paperwork, they are telling Princeton Perspectives things are different these days.

“In 2016, it was maybe three times it happened overall. Now it’s more aggressive. Now we have it every month,” a community member shares anonymously, adding that amidst the fears, others are stepping up to assist. “Community members are taking friends’ children to school because they’re too afraid of leaving their homes. It’s the good of the people. There are different groups, some getting them diapers, going to the market, taking all the risks to help. That never happened before.”

As some have done during past ICE raids, there are neighbors completing notarized custody paperwork, granting them permission to take care of another’s child should those parents get picked up while at work or away from home.

SAFETY

“It’s clear that what is being done today by ICE across the United States leaves our communities feeling less safe,” says Princeton Mayor Mark Freda. “No one should have to live in fear of having their family torn apart suddenly and maybe even violently. Children should not be afraid to go to or to leave school. A family should not suddenly have an income earner taken away and then have little ability to pay for basic needs. Locally we have resources that will help people know their rights and help people that may be facing many challenges when a family member is taken away.”

While many in the area understand and support legal immigration and deportation of criminal undocumented workers, there are also concerns about the targeting of longtime undocumented residents who are contributing to society. To ensure families are cared for after a member has been taken by ICE, municipal departments such as Human Services offer guidance and can make important connections with other resources. Community groups are also trying to help. After ICE detained multiple individuals last July, Nassau Presbyterian Church set up a Neighbor Fund, which helps to support legal expenses and other essential needs for families impacted by detention or deportation. It was started with $20,000 from Nassau’s Mission and Outreach Committee and has continued to grow through individual donations.

Beyond the familial instability, there is also concern that the worries of the undocumented could lead to public safety concerns. Is the trust still there enabling them to ask for help from local police or other officials? Will they be willing to report crimes to keep them and other residents safe?

“We are aware that ICE activity can generate anxiety, fear, and uncertainty within the community. In those environments, some residents may be hesitant to contact the police due to perceptions that all law enforcement agencies operate similarly or share the same roles. We recognize this concern and work continuously to build trust, legitimacy, and strong relationships within our community. Through these efforts, we strive to ensure residents feel safe seeking assistance and reporting concerns,” explains Princeton Police Chief Matthew Solovay.

Princeton Police Department enhanced the staffing of its recently renamed Community Relations Bureau this year, specifically aimed at having even more personnel to engage and build trust with residents. It is also amongst the many statewide agencies that operate under the guidelines of the Immigrant Trust Initiative. Enacted in NJ in 2018, it limits the voluntary assistance that New Jersey’s officers can provide to federal immigration officials, and in doing so, hopes to encourage immigrant residents to interact with them without fear of deportation. Neither the police nor anyone from the municipality coordinates with ICE on their actions. They did not during the ICE activity that detained two adult men on January 15, 2026 or at other times. But they do work to stay informed to understand what is taking place. They do not want immigration events to deter them from primary safety roles.

“Public safety is our top priority, and when crimes occur in Princeton, we investigate them thoroughly and hold offenders accountable under New Jersey law—regardless of immigration status. At the same time, immigration enforcement is not the role of the Princeton Police Department,” Chief Solovay adds. “When residents feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with police, it helps us do our jobs and better serve the community. By focusing on our responsibilities and fostering respectful relationships, we make the entire community safer.”

While the state supports the lawful enforcement of federal immigration laws, Governor Mikie Sherrill stated last week, “ICE is making everyone less safe,” as she laid out actions she said are “to protect New Jerseyans.”

Sherrill signed an Executive Order banning ICE from launching any of their actions from state property. The Office of the Attorney General additionally created a portal for NJ residents to report “incidents involving harmful conduct by, or negative interactions with, federal personnel conducting immigration enforcement in New Jersey.” The portal offers an opportunity to upload any ICE operations captured in a photo or recorded on video which could be used to enforce laws or as evidence in court. Lastly, the website, Know Your Rights NJ, was launched which offers up information on Constitutional rights and directs to resources including pro bono legal services.

STABILITY

When there is unrest in a community, it can not only impact daily functions and safety, but also stability. Is everything else on good footing to move forward? Many undocumented people have become essential workers who help keep local businesses running. How are they getting by with the loss of employees?

Local restaurants have been struggling for a while due to inflation, not enough workers wanting to take the jobs, and now the fears and realities of deportation impacting many already on the job.

One local eatery recently had two of its kitchen staff apprehended by ICE. The owner shared that while it is worst for the targets and their families, it is bad for everybody.

“People are still showing up for work, but they’re definitely fearful. It’s really sad what they’re going through. This issue exacerbates the cost of labor and customers aren’t coming out and spending. Sales are down significantly.”

A Princeton resident recalled walking through Witherspoon Street recently. “It felt like a ghost town,” they explained, noting the businesses in that neighborhood are really hurting while many of the nearby residents are in hiding.

THE COMMUNITY OUTCOME

While the majority of locals respect that immigration laws exist for a reason, many of the Princeton area’s undocumented residents have been here for decades. Their love of this community propels their supporters to hope things can happen differently. Whether it is the hiring of more judges and attorneys to enable more and frequent immigration court hearings, or the development of a path forward for rule-abiding lifelong Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other longtime residents. Many in Princeton’s welcoming community are hoping the system can become clearer or change.

President Trump recently agreed to take a lighter approach, refocusing primary efforts on detaining and deporting the criminal undocumented that he campaigned on. The hope is it will alleviate some fears, calm down protests and enable communities to be more stable.