In 2018, Governor Murphy signed into law the Clean Energy Act of 2018, which plays a key role in achieving the State’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2050 by establishing aggressive energy reduction requirements, among other clean energy strategies. In particular, it emphasized the importance of energy efficiency (EE) and peak demand reduction, and called upon New Jersey’s electric and gas public utilities to play an increased role in reducing the use of gas and electricity in each of their service territories by set percentages over time.
The Act called for the Board to adopt programs that “ensure universal access to energy efficiency measures, and serve the needs of low-income communities,” while the Energy Master Plan (EMP) established the State’s priorities in developing its statewide EE structure: affordability, equity, environmental justice, economic development, decarbonization, and public health. In order to achieve the Clean Energy Act and EMP goals, the Board approved an EE Transition framework through a June 10, 2020 order. These next generation EE programs will seek to reduce the inequity currently experienced by groups and individuals across New Jersey who disproportionately lack access to energy efficient housing, appliances, and technologies, while also providing economic opportunities to underrepresented businesses and workers.
Today, NJBPU is announcing that it will be resuming monthly Energy Efficiency Committee Meetings, which will include information sharing and updates about current and future EE programs. Stakeholders are invited to engage in these meetings to provide feedback on New Jersey’s current programs, as well as the development of Energy Efficiency Working Group (EEWG) recommendations to further refine program design details of the next generation EE programs. The EEWGs will report on their work at these meetings until all utility EE programs are implemented, after which the frequency of their public reports will be adjusted.
The four EEWGs are as follows:
Equity
Workforce Development
Marketing
Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification
The monthly Energy Efficiency Commitee Meetings will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates:
March 31, 2021
April 28, 2021
May 26, 2021
June 30, 2021
July 28, 2021
August 25, 2021
September 29, 2021
October 27, 2021
November 17, 2021
December 22, 2021
Through thoughtful, transparent, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement, the Board continues to seek input and feedback as it works to ensure access to clean energy for all while achieving New Jersey’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.
Thank you for your interest in NJBPU and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Future.
