Watch President Trump talk about his campaign's plan for how to power America.

The typical home in New Jersey pays, on average, $140 per month for electricity.

A brief look at seven candidates' plans for powering NJ, both today and in the future.

What are the pros and cons of each source of electricity?

Dread looking at the electric bill in August? Then you should be paying attention to New Jersey's gubernatorial race.

Energy policy is just one of the dozens of ways the next governor can decide the fatness of your wallet.

What path Gov. Chris Christie's successor chooses could also effect the quality of our air and how quickly sea levels rise and envelop low-lying coastal areas.

Next month when Garden State voters determine the two main party candidates for the general election in November, they'll be looking for a change.

DEBATES RECAP: Governor's race candidates focus on Christie, policies

Two-thirds of registered voters think New Jersey is on the wrong track, according to a Fairleigh-Dickinson poll in March. Does that include the state's power plan, too?

In February, this is how New Jersey generated its electricity, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration:

Only 10 states in the country ask their residents to pay more for electricity than New Jersey. The typical household pays about $140 a month for electricity in the state, according to federal data and estimates.

Governors can have significant influence over the energy markets in their states, according to Christina Simeone, director of policy at the University of Pennsylvania's Kleinman Center for Energy Policy.

"The electricity rates in New Jersey are some of the highest in the country," Simeone said. "Anything that impacts the cost of electricity would be something that is meaningful to people's day-to-day lives."

COMPLETE COVERAGE:Tuesday's gubernatorial debates

With nuclear power being undercut by an abundant supply of cheap natural gas, this is a dynamic time for energy generation in New Jersey, Simeone said.

The gubernatorial races have entered into the debate season. The voters will decide the Republican and Democratic nominees in primary elections on June 6.

Where they stand

Here's how each of the candidates describe their energy proposals, based on campaign statements or responses to questions from the Asbury Park Press.

Candidates who did not respond to queries from the Press or post their positions online are not included.

Democrats

Phil Murphy

In a plan announced last month, Murphy set a target of 2050 for New Jersey to be completely powered by clean energy.

Under a Murphy administration, the state would aim for 3,500 megawatts of energy created by offshore wind. That would be enough power for nearly half the homes in the state.

“We can base a new and stronger middle class on innovation and clean energy, and ensure all communities take part.”

Jim Johnson

Johnson, too, endorses a 100 percent clean energy plan by 2050.

Leading by example, Johnson says that public buildings would be equipped with solar or wind power technology on their roofs. He would also subsidize the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on residences.

"While New Jersey once had the second-largest number of solar energy jobs of any state nationwide, over the past year, due to flagging support from the Christie administration, we’ve fallen to ninth."

John Wisniewski

Wisniewski says New Jersey must commit "to going fully renewable by mid-century."

The state assemblyman has been an outspoken opponent of "fracking" — the method by which natural gas is freed and harvested from pockets deep underground.

“Don’t tell me climate change isn’t real. My family witnessed it right here in my hometown of Sayreville when superstorm Sandy devastated New Jersey and the entire the East Coast."

Republicans

Kim Guadagno

Guadagno told the Press she would "look to get New Jersey back into" the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade program designed to limit greenhouse gases. Christie pulled out of the RGGI in 2011.

She did not mention natural gas in a statement to the Press, instead focusing on "reliable, affordable, resilient and clean energy" such as wind, solar and nuclear.

"I believe in climate change. I am also a strong believer in green energy and even have solar panels on my roof at home."

Jack Ciattarelli

For now, Ciattarelli says New Jersey should embrace "the current and unprecedented era of domestic natural gas discovery and extraction."

He urged support for the nuclear plants in Salem County. A suitable replacement for Oyster Creek, which is closing at the end of 2019, must be found to maintain employment and energy production in southern Ocean County, he told the Press.

"Zero carbon emission, renewable energy sources are, without a doubt, the way of the future. The cleaner our energy, the better."

Rudy Rullo

Natural gas is going to be the present and the future of electricity in New Jersey, Rullo told the Press.

There needs to a balance of power production from the different fuel sources, with natural gas — the most price-competitive fuel on the market — leading the way.

"Somebody has to pay for everything and because of the cost of solar and wind, unfortunately the taxpayers are paying for this. With natural gas, it's so much more cheaper and more effective. It's cleaner, the carbon footprint is small."

Steven Rogers

Rogers blamed politics for creating divisions and pledged to form a task force made up of energy experts, environmentalists and citizens from all over the state.

He told the Press that he would keep politicians out of the energy plan, instead letting this task force decide what was the right path forward.

"We need to look at all options with regard to energy. Natural gas, wind, solar, and other means to provide clean energy will be reviewed and considered in our planning for both short and long term goals."

And the winner is...

So who's right? That depends on your priorities.

Here are some pros and cons to weigh for each of New Jersey's primary fuel options:

Nuclear

Pros : Zero carbon emissions; plants employ hundreds; relatively inexpensive power after the costs of building the plant are covered.

: Zero carbon emissions; plants employ hundreds; relatively inexpensive power after the costs of building the plant are covered. Cons: Not competitive with natural gas right now, meaning that taxpayers or ratepayers may have to subsidize nuclear plants; nobody knows what to do with the nuclear waste; the unlikely, but catastrophic, threat of a meltdown.

Natural gas

Pros : A very cheap and plentiful domestic source of energy; savings are quickly realized by the customer; produces half the carbon of coal when burned.

: A very cheap and plentiful domestic source of energy; savings are quickly realized by the customer; produces half the carbon of coal when burned. Cons: Fracking has been tied to earthquakes and groundwater poisoning; produces half the carbon of coal when burned.

Wind

Pros : Onshore wind is cost competitive with other fuels, especially versus coal; generates no carbon pollution; not subject to volatile commodity prices that largely determine what consumers pay.

: Onshore wind is cost competitive with other fuels, especially versus coal; generates no carbon pollution; not subject to volatile commodity prices that largely determine what consumers pay. Cons: The economics for offshore wind just don't work now, Simeone said; wind turbines kill 573,000 birds every year, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; intermittent power — only generates when the wind is blowing — meaning that advances must be made in energy storage.

Solar

Pros : A nascent industry with the potential to provide thousands of jobs; generates no carbon pollution; not subject to volatile commodity prices that largely determine what consumers pay.

: A nascent industry with the potential to provide thousands of jobs; generates no carbon pollution; not subject to volatile commodity prices that largely determine what consumers pay. Cons: Dependent on lucrative subsidies; intermittent power — only generates when the sun is shining — meaning that advances must be made in energy storage.

OFFSHORE DRILLING:Will it help or hurt NJ?

OYSTER CREEK:Nuclear plant 'failed to follow procedures,' NRC says

NJ TRANSIT:Phil Murphy calls for changes

Russ Zimmer: 732-557-5748, razimmer@app.com