The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has returned to a full five-member panel. The appointments of Emma Rebhorn and Joseph Coviello to the NJBPU fill two vacancies.
Gov. Phil Murphy nominated both commissioners. The New Jersey Senate unanimously confirmed the picks Jan. 12.
Rebhorn and Coviello join President Christine Guhl-Sadovy as well as Commissioners Dr. Zenon Christodoulou and Michael Bange on the board. The group provides oversight for regulation of the state’s electric, gas, water and telecommunications utilities.
“Having a fully seated Board again will help to further enhance the NJBPU’s ability address affordability while maintaining the reliability and safety of utility services our residents and businesses depend on,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
Rebhorn is a clean energy policy expert with extensive experience in climate strategy and labor-focused legal work. She most recently served as deputy executive director of the Climate Jobs National Resource Center (CJNRC). Meanwhile, Coviello adds nearly a decade of operational experience from the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority. At JCMUA, he managed water and sewer infrastructure for one of the state’s largest public utility systems, serving nearly 300,000 residents and sovereign capital planning and modernization initiatives.
Adding necessary operational expertise
“Commissioner Rebhorn brings a wealth of experience as an attorney working on energy policy issues and comes at a critical time for the state,” said Guhl-Sadovy. “Commissioner Coviello’s nearly decade of experience managing essential water utility infrastructure brings the operational expertise necessary to maintain stable, dependable systems across the state.”
The appointments come as the board works to implement Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s first two executive orders. The EOS focus on affordability, rate stabilization, regulatory reforms and rapidly deploying new generation.
The two new commissioners hit the ground running. Both participated in the Feb. 12 board meeting, during which NJBPU certified the 2026 electricity auction results, which NJBIZ reported on.
“Together, they strengthen our capacity to meet the needs of New Jersey’s utility customers and continue to support New Jersey’s economic competitiveness,” said Guhl-Sadovy. “The work ahead in 2026 demands both strategic vision and practical execution – particularly as we focus on reducing costs for ratepayers while ensuring system reliability. These appointments position us well to deliver on both fronts.
“Welcome to both.”
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