Trenton — A coalition of health, environmental justice, and climate organizations today applauded the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee’s vote in favor of Senate Bill 249 (S.249). The legislation requires electric utilities to propose and implement beneficial electrification programs for homes and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with New Jersey’s climate goals. The bill now heads to the Senate floor as advocates push for its passage before the conclusion of New Jersey’s legislative session at the end of June.
S.249 enables New Jersey’s electric utilities to offer more options for residents and building owners to lower their energy bills, improve air quality, and reduce emissions by upgrading to highly efficient clean energy technology like heat pumps. These upgrades can save residents up to 41% on their annual energy bills. As record-breaking heat blankets New Jersey and extreme heat events become more frequent, upgrading homes to the latest, most efficient equipment also provides life-saving cooling. Choosing heat pumps can also reduce a building’s emissions by 33% in just the first year and 59% over the lifetime of the equipment.
Committee passage of S.249 represents growing momentum for New Jersey to invest in programs that help residents upgrade to healthier homes and buildings. In May, the president of ASHRAE, which represents nearly 1,000 New Jersey HVAC professionals, sent a letter supporting policies to accelerate the adoption of highly efficient heat pumps. Earlier this year, New Jersey joined eight other states in pledging to accelerate heat pump adoption aiming for 65% of HVAC sales by 2030 and 90% by 2040—a move widely supported by industry voices and manufacturers. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities recently enacted new construction incentives promoting electrification measures and greater energy efficiency; residents will soon be able to access more than $183 million in federal rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Below are quotes from a coalition of advocates in support of S.249:
Joe O’Brien-Applegate, Eastern Equitable Building Decarbonization Advocate at Climate & Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):
“We are encouraged by today’s committee passage of S.249 that moves us one step closer to unlocking thousands in new rebates and incentives that will soon be available to residents to adopt healthier, more affordable homes. New Jersey has made bold commitments to increasing adoption of highly-efficient heat pumps and this measure is forward-looking legislation that ensures these commitments are upheld. We must now turn our attention to ensuring the bill gets over the finishing line and is signed into law without delay.”
Nicole Miller, Vice Chair at New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition (NJPEEC):
“Our state’s metro areas have some of the worst air quality across the nation, with Black, Brown, and low-income communities at greater risk from the debilitating impact of ozone pollution. Today’s committee passage of S.249 is the first step towards ensuring all New Jerseyans—including our most vulnerable residents—have greater access to healthier, more affordable homes. Accelerating adoption of heat pumps and other electric technologies will help residents save money on their energy bills, reduce climate emissions, and deliver cleaner air for New Jersey's residents.”
Anjuli Ramos-Busot, NJ State Director for Sierra Club:
“S.249 is a pathway towards delivering cleaner air for New Jersey families while reducing state greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing fossil fuel appliances that release dangerous pollutants such as nitrogen oxides—a key ingredient in smog—with clean energy technologies like heat pumps is essential for protecting our state's families' health.”
Barbara Blumenthal from New Jersey Conservation Foundation:
“Today lawmakers delivered on reducing utility bills for families while achieving state climate goals by advancing S.249.”
Ed Potosnak from Executive Director at League Conservation Voters:
“Today’s committee vote was for lower energy bills and cleaner air."
Doug O’Malley from Environment NJ:
“Building electrification popularity grows with national sales surpassing fossil heating furnaces."
Michael Seilback from American Lung Association:
"By advancing S.249 out committee lawmakers took an important step towards lung health protection."
