Bridging Policy and Practice: Advancing Equitable Transmission Development in New Jersey and Multi-State Power Systems

As New Jersey advances toward 100% clean energy by 2035, transmission infrastructure upgrade is critical, not merely for reliability and renewable integration, but also for achieving an equitable energy transition [1]. In this paper, we consider how current transmission planning processes are aligned with the Energy Master Plan and Environmental Justice Law, requiring serious engagement with communities and resilience investments in overburdened communities [2], [3]. Using a systematic examination of regulatory filings, planning studies, and geospatial data from 2020-2025, we find that while equity is expressly codified in state policy, it is consistently absent from infrastructure siting decisions, benefit distribution, and public engagement processes. Regional transmission planning programs, adopted to deliver interregional reliability and efficient cost allocation across multi-state service territories, many times lack mechanisms to incorporate localized equity considerations, misaligning state mandates at the policy level and on-the-ground outcomes [4]. We identify actionable pathways to bridge this gap, including using equity-informed planning criteria, enhanced community benefit arrangements, and enhanced coordination across statewide agencies, regional grid entities, and local actors. These findings though applicable to New Jersey also provide information for other states navigating energy transition, social equity, and system reliability in multi-state power systems.