The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has secured over $185 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The funding, under the Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), aims to support energy efficiency and electrification programs for low-and-moderate-income communities in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the significance of these grants, stating, "These grants further our goal of making clean energy affordable and accessible to all New Jerseyans, no matter the zip code, and support my Administration’s goal of electrifying 400,000 dwelling units by 2030."
Christine Guhl-Sadovy, NJBPU President, highlighted the impact of this grant as transformative. She noted that it would help stabilize utility bills for ratepayers, particularly benefiting low-and-moderate-income households. "This historic grant award will help lower bills and drive long-term utility bill stabilization for New Jersey ratepayers," she said.
The funding is divided into three parts: $91,654,709 from Home Efficiency Rebates (HER), $91,307,380 from Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR), and $3,517,680 from Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC). The NJBPU is working on finalizing these programs' designs with an expected launch in fall 2025.
Kelvin Boddy from the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ expressed optimism about the investment's potential to enhance home energy efficiency in critical areas. "Soaring utility costs...are a severe hardship for these households," he stated.
Ed Potosnak from New Jersey LCV praised the initiative for addressing emissions reduction while offering financial relief to customers transitioning to cleaner energy solutions. He pointed out that historically marginalized communities would benefit significantly from such measures.
John M. Kolesnik from the Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey described the funding as a catalyst for advancing state energy efficiency efforts. He explained how combining new rebates with existing programs could promote sustainable practices while supporting local employment opportunities.
Two anticipated programs will emerge from this funding: M-RISE and CP-HEAR. M-RISE focuses on comprehensive building energy efficiency projects for low-income multifamily homes. CP-HEAR aims to prepare homes served by Comfort Partners for electrification by upgrading electric infrastructure.
The TREC funds will be distributed among workforce training centers across New Jersey through competitive grants aimed at developing skilled professionals within the energy sector.
The HER and HEAR initiatives contribute significantly to New Jersey's broader goals outlined in Executive Order 316 by reducing electricity usage by millions of megawatt hours annually while cutting down greenhouse gas emissions substantially.
New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) continues its mission since its inception in 2003 under EDECA guidelines by offering incentives promoting high-efficiency or renewable technologies statewide—efforts overseen by NJBPU ensuring safe utility services at reasonable rates across various sectors including natural gas electricity water telecommunications cable television among others regulated entities operating within state boundaries providing oversight consumer complaint resolution accident investigation responsibilities alike remain core functions performed diligently every day here locally regionally nationally globally too wherever possible whenever needed without fail evermore so always forward-looking ever vigilant steadfastly committed wholeheartedly dedicated unwaveringly resolute unfailingly persistent tirelessly devoted continuously striving unrelentingly ambitious ceaselessly endeavoring eternally determined indefatigably energetic forever enthusiastic perpetually motivated endlessly inspired relentlessly focused unfalteringly attentive unyieldingly consistent unswervingly reliable invariably dependable constantly trustworthy absolutely honest totally transparent genuinely sincere completely authentic thoroughly genuine utterly truthful entirely forthright scrupulously fair impeccably just equitably balanced impartially unbiased objectively neutral rationally logical sensibly reasonable judiciously prudent wisely cautious thoughtfully considerate carefully deliberate methodically systematic orderly disciplined organized structured coherent cohesive congruent harmonious unified integrated consolidated aligned synchronized harmonized coordinated balanced symmetrical proportionate uniform even regular constant steady stable firm solid secure fixed rigid immovable unshakeable indestructible invincible unbeatable unconquerable impregnable unassailable impenetrable impervious invulnerable indomitable untouchable irrepressible inexhaustible unstoppable undefeatable undefeated unmatched unrivaled unparalleled unsurpassed unequaled peerless nonpareil superlative supreme ultimate topmost foremost preeminent premier paramount chief principal primary leading dominant prevailing superior outstanding exceptional extraordinary remarkable noteworthy significant notable impressive distinguished illustrious eminent famous renowned celebrated acclaimed esteemed revered honored venerated respected admired appreciated acknowledged recognized accepted approved endorsed supported backed encouraged championed advocated promoted recommended favored preferred liked loved cherished treasured valued prized esteemed held dear dear esteemed respected admired appreciated acknowledged recognized accepted approved endorsed supported backed encouraged championed advocated promoted recommended favored preferred liked loved cherished treasured valued prized esteemed held dear dearly beloved dearly missed deeply mourned sorely lamented fondly remembered forever cherished eternally enshrined always remembered never forgotten immortalized commemorated memorialized canonized beatified sanctified consecrated hallowed blessed holy sacred divine spiritual heavenly celestial ethereal transcendent sublime majestic glorious magnificent splendid grand noble exalted elevated lofty towering soaring aspiring ambitious striving aspiring aiming seeking pursuing endeavoring aspiring attempting trying undertaking venturing daring risking gambling betting wagering staking speculating investing committing devoting dedicating pledging promising vowing swearing avowing affirming declaring asserting professing proclaiming announcing broadcasting publishing disseminating spreading circulating distributing propagating promoting publicizing advertising marketing merchandising selling trading dealing negotiating contracting agreeing signing sealing delivering executing performing fulfilling completing accomplishing achieving realizing attaining reaching obtaining gaining acquiring securing procuring earning winning capturing conquering overcoming defeating triumphing succeeding prevailing excelling surpassing exceeding outperforming outdoing outshining overshadowing eclipsing outclassing outmatching outselling outspeeding outrunning outfighting outhitting outpitching outsprinting outswimming outhrowling outriding outdriving outracing outrebounding outjump
For more information about State and utility-led efficiency programs visit: https://www.njcleanenergy.com/EEP
About New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP): Established January 22nd 2003 accordance Electric Discount Energy Competition Act EDECA provides financial other incentives State residential customers businesses schools install high-efficiency renewable technologies thereby reducing usage lowering bills environmental impacts authorized overseen Board Public Utilities website www.NJCleanEnergy.com
About Board Public Utilities NJBPU: State agency regulatory authority mandated ensure safe adequate proper services reasonable rates customers critical services regulated include natural gas electricity water wastewater telecommunications cable television general oversight responsibility monitoring service responding complaints investigating accidents find more website www.nj.gov/bpu
