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New Jersey’s energy future must be resilient. Here’s a tool that can help | Opinion

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New Jersey’s energy future must be resilient. Here’s a tool that can help | Opinion



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  • Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, necessitating a multifaceted approach to energy solutions.
  • While renewable energy sources are important, a balanced approach that incorporates existing infrastructure like propane is crucial for reliability and affordability.
  • Propane offers a resilient energy source independent of the electric grid, vital during emergencies and grid failures.
  • Overreliance on a single energy system could strain affordability and reliability as energy demands increase.
  • A practical, collaborative approach involving businesses, government, and researchers is needed to build a resilient and accessible energy future.

There is no doubt that our climate is changing. The frequency and severity of extreme weather events impacting local communities across the country have increased dramatically. According to the American Red Cross, the number of billion-dollar disaster response events in the last decade has grown five-fold compared to the 1980s. While one factor impacting climate change is our reliance on high carbon intensity energy, the path forward cannot be reduced to a simple choice between fossil fuels and full electrification.

Over recent decades, society has made major strides in energy efficiency — from appliances to building construction — and we’ve seen innovation across energy production and delivery that has lowered the cost and carbon footprint of traditional fuels. Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies have advanced rapidly, offering even cleaner energy options. Yet, despite this progress, the national debate around climate change solutions and energy policy has become increasingly polarized. The narrative has become a binary one: stick with fossil fuels or embrace full electrification.

This false choice is both misleading and counterproductive. What society truly needs is affordable, reliable, low carbon-intensity energy that is available on-demand — and this need is growing more urgent by the day.

As a leader in an energy business that has delivered on-demand fuel to local communities for nearly a century, I’ve seen firsthand how energy demand shifts — especially for heating — and how critical it is to have access to energy when and where it’s needed. I’ve also witnessed the hardship that follows when that access is lost. In just the past year, devastating wildfires, hurricanes and historic floods have left families without homes, power or safety. These events have a very human cost: lives lost, livelihoods disrupted and communities forever changed.

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In times of crisis, our electric grid — though essential — has shown its vulnerabilities. When the grid fails, people suffer. And increasingly, it does fail under pressure. That’s why energy resilience must be treated as a core pillar of our energy future, alongside sustainability and affordability. We cannot ignore the need for redundancy, flexibility and accessibility in our energy systems.

Propane can help fill gaps in demand for energy

Propane is one often-overlooked solution that can play a vital role in filling that gap. It’s a reliable, clean-burning energy source used by millions of Americans every day. Because of its portable infrastructure and availability, propane is one of the most accessible on-demand energy sources. When the grid goes down — whether from wildfire, hurricane, or ice storm — propane-powered generators keep critical services operational. During recent flooding in the southeast, propane helped restore power, feed displaced families and heat emergency shelters.

Importantly, propane operates independently of the electric grid. As a distributed energy source, it provides communities with a resilient backup that can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively. This kind of infrastructure matters — not just for disaster response, but for long-term energy planning.

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We have to manage the shift to renewables through economic reality

We also have to recognize that the transition to lower carbon alternatives must be grounded in economic reality. Millions of Americans live with energy insecurity, where fluctuating costs force impossible choices — like heating their homes or feeding their families. As demand for electricity is projected to rise by 55% in the next two decades — driven in part by the growth of AI and data centers — overreliance on a single energy system could raise costs and strain reliability.

Abandoning existing infrastructure before new systems are fully viable will only add to the financial burden on vulnerable communities. A resilient energy future cannot afford to be ideological—it must be practical.

It’s time to move beyond the binary. The future of energy is not either-or — it’s both-and. Yes, we must reduce emissions. Yes, we must invest in renewables. But we must also prioritize resilience, affordability and access. Propane is one tool — among many — that can help us meet those goals today, not just years down the road.

The climate will continue to change. Our response must be bold, but also thoughtful. Real progress will come not through rigid mandates, but through collaboration — between businesses, government and researchers — to innovate, bring down costs, expand access and protect people.

Let’s move beyond the binary and build an energy future that truly works—for everyone.

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Michael Stivala is president and CEO of Suburban Propane.



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New Jersey

NJ Lottery Pick-3, Pick-4, Cash 5, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Sunday, April 19

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The New Jersey Lottery offers multiple draw games for people looking to strike it rich.

Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:

Pick-3

Midday: 8-7-3, Fireball: 9

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Evening: 5-0-8, Fireball: 0

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick-4

Midday: 4-7-7-9, Fireball: 9

Evening: 5-9-7-8, Fireball: 0

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Jersey Cash 5

20-25-35-38-45, Xtra: 35

Check Jersey Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Quick Draw

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

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Cash Pop

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the New Jersey Lottery drawings held?

  • Pick-3: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily.
  • Pick-4: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily.
  • Jersey Cash 5: 10:57 p.m. daily.
  • Pick-6: 10:57 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Jersey Sr Breaking News Editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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New Jersey

The Maple House Is Planning To Open In Two Locations In New Jersey This Year

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The Maple House Is Planning To Open In Two Locations In New Jersey This Year


Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.

Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.

A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned

And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.

And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?

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The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey

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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.

The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.

The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations

The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.

The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.

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18 Best Places In New Jersey To Get A Pork Roll Egg And Cheese Sandwich

It’s called Pork Roll, first off, and these are the 18 best restaurants and delis. and diners to get a PEC in the Garden State

Gallery Credit: Buehler





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Nearby shooting interrupts 13-year-old’s birthday party in Paterson; 1 killed, 3 injured

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Nearby shooting interrupts 13-year-old’s birthday party in Paterson; 1 killed, 3 injured


PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.

The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.

Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.

“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.

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She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.

“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.

Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.

Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.

“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”

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The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.

“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.

Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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