Newsroom & Public Notices
NJBPU Releases Building Decarbonization Start-Up Programs Proposal
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: Peter Peretzman |
| Date: 06/14/2023 | 609-900-5626 |
“These proposals represent an important step to work with utilities to measure and consider both energy savings and building emissions,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.
“Last week’s air quality crisis was a stark reminder of the climate change impacts we can expect to see more of if we do not take action today. Decarbonizing our buildings and improving upon energy efficiencies are a part of many meaningful actions we can take today. I encourage the public to take advantage of the stakeholder meetings, an important part of our effort to seek public input on an essential part of Governor Phil Murphy’s vision for a clean energy future.”
“In New Jersey, our buildings should provide safe and healthy places to gather, rest, work, learn and grow. Comfortable building temperatures should not create emissions that contribute to the climate crisis,” said Catherine Klinger, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. “NJBPU’s first-of-its kind building decarbonization straw proposal will increase utility customers’ access to money-saving energy efficiency measures and climate-friendly heating and cooling technologies. Utilities will be asked to help educate customers about the benefits of home electrification, and open up access to federal incentives that put money back into customers’ pockets when they adopt heat pumps.”
Decarbonization of buildings is a critical component in the State’s Energy Master Plan and is the focus of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 316 target to install zero-carbon-emission space heating and cooling systems in 400,000 homes and 20,000 commercial properties and make 10% of all low-to-moderate income (LMI) properties electrification-ready by 2030. The proposal represents an important step for NJBPU to work with utilities to measure and consider both energy savings and building emissions. It also provides a clear way for customers to take advantage of the federal programs that put money back in their pockets when they choose to switch to efficient electric equipment.
The CEA establishes that utilities must achieve energy savings of 0.75% for the natural gas utilities and 2% for the electric utilities of the average annual usage in the prior three years within five years of implementation of their energy efficiency programs.
Two virtual public meetings will be held on June 20 to discuss the straw proposals. Comments on the straw proposals are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 27. To register for the 2 p.m. public meeting, register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom. To register for the 6 p.m. public hearing, register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom.
About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.
About the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA)
NJDCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including affordable housing production, fire and building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, disaster recovery and mitigation, and information privacy. For more information about NJDCA, visit http://nj.gov/dca/
