The State Energy Program  ARRA Proposal was submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in May. DOE is currently reviewing the proposal.  It is designed to further State and Federal energy conservation and efficiency goals.

The State proposes to allocate its $73.6 million in SEP-ARRA funds for:

•         Competitive grants for state-sponsored renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for qualifying State entities.

•         A financing program for residences via the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA).  The program would fund solar installations on multifamily buildings for income-qualified recipients.

•         Financing program for residential energy efficiency, via NJHMFA – offering financing to single-family and multifamily (1-4 units) owners.

•         Multi-family EE improvement loan program for multi-family residences, funded through NJHMFA.

•         EE programs for customers of Municipal-owned utilities, who are currently ineligible for NJ’s Clean Energy Program incentives.

•         A program to retrofit State buildings with energy efficiency measures.

New Jersey will receive $76 million from the EECBG Program. Of that, $61.1 million will go directly from DOE to 75 eligible counties and municipalities, based on population. 
The State will recive $14.4 million through the EECBG Program.   It proposes to use 71% ($10.3 million) of its allocation to create an energy efficiency program for counties and municipalities that are ineligible for direct formula Block Grants. These local governments may qualify for EE upgrade grants of up to $20,000 upon completion of an audit conducted through the Local Government Energy Audit Program.  The remaining $4.3 million will be dedicated to energy efficiency and conservation measures, and building retrofit improvements at State government buildings.