Ralph Izzo

Over the course of his career, Izzo’s views on corporate social responsibility developed. He increasingly supported companies speaking out on social and political issues such as climate change, voter access, and systemic racism, aligning with the growing expectations of employees and stakeholders.

Izzo is married to Karen Izzo, a retired biologist, and lives in Cranbury, New Jersey with his wife, and two kids.

During his time at PSEG, Izzo faced controversy over state subsidies for nuclear power. In 2018, PSEG requested financial support from New Jersey, stating that two of its nuclear plants would not be economically viable without it. The proposed subsidy, estimated at $300 million annually, drew criticism from competitors, advocacy groups, and the media. Some questioned whether a profitable company should receive public funds, and Izzo personally faced scrutiny.

Izzo defended the subsidy as necessary to maintain the state’s supply of carbon-free energy and to protect consumers from higher energy costs. He emphasized his duty to act in the best interest of shareholders and acknowledged the personal and professional challenges the debate created. Izzo maintained that the subsidy served New Jersey’s long-term energy goals.

In addition to the nuclear subsidy issue, Izzo dealt with regulatory disputes over energy efficiency programs and grid modernization. These efforts sometimes led to disagreements with state regulators and consumer advocates, particularly regarding proposed rates and compensation for revenue lost through efficiency improvements.

During the incident, Izzo, was "praised for his character and integrity by those who know him best in government and the business world, has essentially been called a liar, a fraud, a cheat and a crook by almost every special interest group and media," wrote news outlet ROI-NJ.