NJ Receives National Recognition for Accomplishments in Energy Efficiency

On Apr 8, 2016

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced that New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program will receive the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2016 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements.

“We are proud to once again receive EPA’s national recognition of New Jersey being a leader in promoting and implementing energy efficiency solutions and the positive impacts these policies have for New Jerseyans, businesses and the environment,” said Richard S. Mroz, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “While energy efficiency and conservation have been and continue to be a priority of the Christie Administration’s Energy Master Plan, it is my hope that as the national conversation on clean energy policy continues that the full spectrum of State energy efficiency accomplishments are recognized for the important role energy conservation plays in reaching future environmental policy goals.”

NJBPU has been an ENERGY STAR partner since 2001.  In 2015, NJBPU received Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for the Energy Efficiency Products Program. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, NJBPU also received the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.  In 2011, NJBPU was honored with the award for delivery of its New Jersey ENERGY STAR Homes Program.

The 2016 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contributions to reducing harmful emissions through superior energy efficiency efforts. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors.

The NJBPU will be honored for their commitment to energy efficiency in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2016, specifically for the accomplishments of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program.

“By continued collaboration with ENERGY STAR, New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program is helping Americans save money, save energy, and do their part to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “I’m proud to recognize the NJBPU with the highest form of ENERGY STAR recognition, as the winner of the 2016 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. The BPU demonstrates a strong commitment to energy efficiency and to preserving a healthy planet for future generations.”

The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program (HPwES) helps homeowners save up to 30 percent on their energy bills by incentivizing energy efficient upgrades installed in their homes by Building Performance Institute (BPI) GoldStar contractors. The program provides up to $4,000 in rebates and 0 percent interest loans up to $10,000 or 4.99 percent interest loans up to $15,000 to NJ residents. The HPwES program completed 5,768 projects in 2015 alone. Since 2007, HPwES has helped 28,093 homes in NJ to become more energy efficient.

New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program provides financial and other incentives to the state’s residential customers, businesses and local governments that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies. These programs are administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

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