New Jersey Pushes Nuclear Power as Food Pantries Brace for SNAP Cuts

Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Power NJ Act into law on Monday, creating a new procurement process for nuclear power developments in the state. President Donald Trump pushes for massive nuclear expansion nationwide as the legislation arrives at a critical moment for New Jersey’s energy future. The new law represents a rare shared priority for the MAGA Republican president, the moderate Democratic governor, and both parties in the New Jersey Legislature, as residents stare down spiking energy costs. State legislators passed the measure unanimously.

“A nuclear renaissance is taking shape across America with new partnerships and billions in federal funding, and New Jersey is ready to lead once again,” Sherrill said.

The Trump administration has set a goal to bring 300 gigawatts of nuclear power online by 2050-a target that would roughly quadruple the nation’s current production. The ambitious plan forms a central part of a federal energy strategy that has also boosted coal and natural gas while pivoting away from renewable sources like solar and wind. The Department of Energy did not respond to a request for comment.

Critical Energy Supply Crisis Drives Nuclear Push

New Jersey consumes more power than it produces, creating a fundamental energy security challenge. PJM Interconnection, the regional grid serving New Jersey and a dozen other states, faces a supply crunch that worsens as power-hungry data centers come online faster than new energy sources. At its annual supply auction earlier this week, PJM failed to secure enough power supply to ensure the grid reaches reliability standards in 2028.

Sherrill wants new nuclear power as part of a long-term plan to boost New Jersey’s energy supply. The supply-and-demand problem has driven up electric bills and prompted Sherrill to make taming costs a centerpiece of her campaign. The strain on the grid has shown during this month’s extreme heat, with every single power generator connected to the grid needed to meet peak demand during recent heat waves.

Federal dollars will be critical to buffer New Jerseyans from costs that could sit on their utility bills for decades. However, it remains unclear whether sharing an affinity for nuclear means Sherrill’s administration can expect fruitful support from Trump’s. The new law sets the stage for state authorities to accept future proposals for new nuclear power projects.

Food Pantries Prepare for SNAP Benefit Cuts

The line outside a South Bronx food pantry recently snaked down the block, across the avenue and down two more blocks on a summer day. People began lining up as early as 5 a.m., even though the pantry doesn’t open until 10 a.m. Food pantries across New York City report they’re already seeing an increase in demand as schools that offer free meals close for the summer and gas prices remain stubbornly high.

“Demand’s always going to be here, because with the cost of everything going high, food especially, and then with gas, whenever gas goes up, especially in summertime, prices go up,” said Christian Estrada, who runs the pantry and is the food services director for United Bronx Parents, an affiliate of the Acacia Network.

Pantries say they have enough food for now but worry they’ll run out of supplies once more New Yorkers begin losing their benefits under the Trump administration’s changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump overhauled SNAP last summer. More expansive work rules took effect in New York earlier this year, requiring SNAP recipients between 18 and 64 years old to prove they are working, volunteering or in school in order to keep their benefits.

Thousands Face Benefit Shutoffs

People with a documented disability or medical condition can be exempt from the rules. City officials haven’t said how many New Yorkers were cut off their SNAP benefits last month as part of the first wave of shutoffs expected under the new work rules. However, they have warned that as many as 42,000 people–40% of whom are men between 18-30 years old-are at risk.

In New Jersey, more than 31,000 people have had their SNAP benefits turned off since May, state officials said. The regional impact of the benefit cuts extends across the tri-state area, affecting tens of thousands of families struggling with rising costs.

“We haven’t seen the height of this just yet,” said Lakisha Morris, division director for food and housing stability at Catholic Charities. “As the summer winds down and the fall begins, I think that’s when the impact is going to just spiral.”

Pantries Cannot Fill the Gap

Morris explained food pantries cannot make up the gap for what SNAP provides. She worried providers will have to make hard choices as more people come to their doors. The challenge intensifies as both energy costs and food prices continue climbing simultaneously across the region.

“That’s just disheartening to turn people away, especially if they’re standing on a line for hours waiting,” Morris said.

The convergence of energy infrastructure challenges and food security concerns highlights the broader economic pressures facing regional residents. New York residents also grapple with air quality issues from Canadian wildfire smoke, prompting health officials to recommend keeping windows and doors closed. The EPA advises using air conditioning instead of bringing in fresh air, adding to summer cooling costs.

Managing Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Season

The air has been hazy, and the sun was hanging red in the sky as New Yorkers search for respite from Canadian wildfire smoke invading their lungs. Getting inside isn’t always enough protection. HVAC experts and government agencies suggest several ways to keep indoor air cleaner and more breathable during smoke events.

Most window AC units primarily recirculate indoor air, but some units have fresh-air vents or outdoor air dampers-usually a small lever on the side. Residents should check for these vents as the air quality index in the city remained “moderate” or “unhealthy for sensitive groups” Friday, and conditions might worsen again.

Cole Goldklang, founder of Breasy, which rents and installs AC units in New York City, suggested paying attention to routine AC maintenance many people ignore. He recommended rinsing AC filters with water and changing them every four to six weeks, noting that every few years you should get a new filter from a hardware store or online.