New Jersey took a giant step toward becoming a national leader in energy efficiency when state regulators approved the centerpiece of Public Service Electric and Gas’s (PSE&G) landmark Clean Energy Future proposal.
The decision by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) clears the way for the state’s largest utility to commit to $1 billion in energy efficiency investments over the next three years. It’s the largest commitment ever in New Jersey and is expected to deliver environmental benefits and reduce customer bills while creating jobs and boosting the state’s economy. It’s also a major step toward achieving Gov. Phil Murphy’s clean energy vision, and propelling New Jersey’s economic and environmental sustainability policies to a new level.
Today’s decision will allow us to bring the benefits of energy efficiency to every customer and give them options to reduce their energy use, save money and shrink their carbon footprint. New Jersey now has the opportunity to be at the forefront of clean energy policy and be a role model for the nation.”
The program’s energy-saving measures, which include rebates for energy-efficient appliances and equipment, are expected to deliver $1 billion in net customer savings, create 4,300 job and help New Jersey avoid 8 million metric tons of CO2 through 2050. Moreover, the program can help New Jersey achieve the BPU’s preliminary energy savings targets of 2.15% for electricity and 1.1% for gas within five years.
These newly approved programs will enable New Jersey to become a national leader in energy efficiency savings: currently the state ranks 34th for electric saving and 24th for gas savings through energy efficiency measures, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s most recent report.
To help build a workforce with the skills needed to implement energy efficiency projects, PSE&G last month launched a job training program, and has partnered with community organizations and the state Department of Labor to recruit participants from urban centers. The goal is to prepare as many as 2,000 state residents for positions with contractors that will implement PSE&G’s energy efficiency programs.
The initiative offers residential, commercial and industrial customers rebates and other financial incentives to purchase energy-efficient lighting, HVAC equipment and smart thermostats. Customers also are eligible for free or affordable energy audits and energy efficiency kits. It was designed to meet with special emphasis on the needs of low-income, multifamily and small business customers.
We are committed to ensuring that all of our customers and the communities we serve get an opportunity to share in the benefits of this program, including lower energy bills, new jobs and cleaner air.”
For more, see: Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet.
This program sounds great – we are all for it! Are there more residential Solar incentives included?
Sounds good but not a single detail besides hiring people…
Within the month, I am planning to renovate a one-family and need all new appliances, heating and cooling systems, etc. Are the rebates and instructions available now before I purchase the products?
Following
Sounds great but where are the details I’m planning on replacing a gas system.
PSE&G already has the Cool/Warm Advantage programs for rebates on EnergyStar equipment. How is this different? The also offer rebates on Smart Thermostats. Thumbs up for Job Training. Thumbs down for trying to sell this a s new and innovative.
[…] Read about PSEG’s Clean Energy Future: Energy Efficiency Program […]
When is PSE&G converting to Solar Farms to really help the environment?
Any rebates to help me replace my 55 year old furnace?
I have no doubt this program aligns with the NJ government’s crazy ‘carbon foot print’ minimization programs. PSEG has no option but to conform. This type of government intrusion into cost effective business operation is exactly why government must be limited. As my mother used to say about politicians “big wind…..big dust…..no rain”
The idea that solar, wind and battery powered automobiles are less harmful to the environment than fossil fuels, especially gas, is unproven and most likely a false flag around which to rally for partisan political purposes, especially money and power. For example, heavy metals associated
with solar and batteries have devastating long term effects. You see those little solar panels on telephone poles here in NJ? I wrote to PSEG and asked for access to their cost study. No reply.
As a result of government mandates, programs such as these are most likely NOT cost effective. An example would be residential solar roof top panels…..sure, it’s good for the individual roof top resident because of subsidies, and those households with rooftop panels save on electric bills, but everybody else pays more! Despite all the promises, solar and wind power are still not cheaper than natural gas. See what has happened to the EU and Great Britain under draconian energy policies. The long term effect of less than optimal programs is a slow loss of international competitiveness.
I installed energy efficient double pane argon gas filled windows about ten years ago in my home even though they were not cost effective. When I did research on reflective coatings, I realized coatings were on the least efficient side of the glass for my south facing home. I wanted to install windows on the south facing side of my home to accept warming winter sun when the sun is low in the sky….In hot summers, the sun is overhead, and virtually no sun comes in those windows.
I spoke with the manufacturer and he agreed saying the coatings were applied for hotter southern climates, designed to keep infrared warming rays out rather than for colder northern climates. I asked “then why apply the coatings as you do?” the reply was “because if we don’t, the government won’t give us the energy star certification.”
More recently, I acquired some high quality used glass siding doors without reflective coating and used them for a south facing sun room. Sunlight in that room is now sufficient to heat my house from about 11AM to about 4PM on nearly all sunny days all winter long down to about 20 degrees and 20 mph winds. In hot weather, we keep the room ventilated and sealed off from the house interior, so we don’t have to air condition it. Once again, even doing the work myself, I seriously doubt this was a cost effective project any payback was very long term.
When a utility like PSE&G subsidizes select customer’s purchases, they are redistributing all customers bill payments to help certain customers, often more affluent, reduce their bills.
as PSE&G checks the box for reducing fossil fuel reliance “new” jobs will probably replace the decent jobs at Bayway etc. with crappy $13-15/hr jobs.
This is another form of virtue signaling and to demonstrate alignment w the Green New Deal crowd.
Wont everyone be surprised when corporations continue to call the shots financing subsidies and increasing profits on the backs of the middle class. The energy efficiency savings will be cancelled out by some tax, subsidy or “green energy delivery fee.” It’s called re-distribution of wealth (and it doesnt come from the wealthy).
Excellent commentary.
Rob, the article actually does not state anything about incentives for PV, batteries, or other behind-the-meter assets. This program is simply to incentivize residential and small business customers to take advantage of the energy efficient options on the market. If you look at California, you will see that the market for flexible customer load is huge and growing, and the proliferation of these smart energy efficient products will bring that market to New Jersey. In fact, not only do these programs bring monthly bill savings through reduced energy consumption, they can also pay out additional bill credits for participation in demand response, since you would be doing the utility a service by reducing load at a specified time.
We have a big problem. A small nudge toward more efficient energy usage is nothing but a convenience for PSE&G who doesn’t want to build more expensive power plants.
Build some windmills or solar power plants. Subsidize residential and commercial solar power. Create a program to convert all street lights to solar power. Now that could start to make a dent in a huge problem.
This is just a cover up for contributing to the problem.
This is a great program.
I’m not saying this is a bad thing but Understand PSEG only does this by charging its utility customers for all the upgrades. That’s why BPU approval is needed – for the rate increases. So if we’re paying for it, why don’t we get more of a say in what gets done and when? I get that it’s not a democracy but it’s our money and we are virtually captive customers of this behemoth. For years the BPU has been simply a rubber stamp for all PSEG rate changes, projects good or bad, etc. Where was the support for all green utility projects that were not “of” PSEG? Why isn’t solar pushed more? Why has it taken so long for PSEG to even get this far?
This is great news! I’m proud to live in a state that is addressing climate change. When are the energy-efficient appliances rebates becoming available?
You omitted a basis of comparison. How about this. My Current average 2020 monthly lPSE&G energy bill is $200.00. How many dollars per average month will it be in 2025?
Another partisan move ….and what choice do consumers have. The decision has been made and all will sow the consequences. NJ needs to wake up!
Have a deep suspicion that this will end up like California where they can’t keep the lights on. Also wondering if this is some kind of corruption thing. Maybe Murphy coerced PSEG to do this or else !
I know we didn’t give a billion dollars to pseg for these numerous emails I am getting to buy led light bulbs, power strips and thermostat from pseg because rebates give us a discount. I assume doing a home energy audit would include checking your HVAC and offering u a rebate if u purchase a unit for thousands of dollars through pseg. We r a rat in a wheel with this plan. What a way to waste a billion dollars. Think long term next time, geeze.
Will there be more support for solar and wind (and similar renewables if any such thing exist)? Any kind of grid-based power storage?
How are you going to save on our bill, we want more details. Oftentimes these type of so called changes only bring increased fees lasting forever. I for one do not want to see any wind mills its bad for migratory birds, real estate and its ugly.