NJBPU Marks Milestone in Surpassing 90,000 Homeowners Benefiting from the New Jersey Comfort Partners Program

On Jan 9, 2015

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Commissioner Dianne Solomon recently joined South Jersey Gas President Jeff DuBois, Atlantic City Electric President Vince Maione and other local officials at the home of Louis Crumble and his wife, Mary, in Atlantic City to highlight that more than 90,000 low-income families have benefited from the New Jersey Comfort Partners program (NJCP). Commissioner Solomon, along with the other officials, toured the home to see first-hand the energy-saving measures installed at no cost to the family.

NJCP, a component of New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, offers free energy-saving improvements and energy education for income-eligible families. NJCP, which is delivered by the state’s electric and natural gas utilities, has lowered energy costs for over 90,000 New Jersey low-income families who typically spend a high percentage of their income on energy.

“The New Jersey Comfort Partners program not only provides the critical assistance to New Jersey residents in need, but it also teaches them how to maintain good energy conservation habits that will continue to help reduce their energy bills for many years to come,” said Dianne Solomon, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities commissioner.

While the NJCP program saves energy, the program’s services can even more importantly save lives.  Some of the important benefits include safety testing of all appliances and checking for gas leaks.  The program also provided education about important home maintenance issues that may reduce the risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, mold and other potential hazards.  The whole-house improvements provided by NJCP result in increased comfort and safer temperature levels in homes, which can be critical for the elderly, children and the infirm.  NJCP program is available to any New Jersey household with significant energy use, having an income at or below 225% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Mr. Crumble and his wife received new insulation and air sealing, a new boiler, a new hot water heater, energy-saving light-bulbs, and a new carbon monoxide detector.   Additionally, the home has undergone a new mold remediation process which is part of a pilot program.

Since NJCP launched in 2001, New Jersey’s low-income residents have reduced their energy costs annually by approximately $24.5 million.  This equates to estimated annual electric savings of 101,500 megawatt-hours and an estimated annual natural gas savings of 824,421 dekatherms.

“For nearly 15 years, the New Jersey Comfort Partners Program has been helping families in need become more energy efficient and save money on energy bills,” said Jeff DuBois, president of South Jersey Gas. “We are a proud supporter of the program and the assistance it’s provided for the Crumble’s and others.”

“Atlantic City Electric is proud to partner with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and support the Comfort Partners program that has positively affected thousands of families throughout the state,” said Vince Maione, Atlantic City Electric region president. “I look forward to more New Jersey residents benefiting from this program in the future.”

For additional information on the New Jersey Comfort Partners program and other New Jersey Clean Energy Programs for local governments, businesses and residents, visit www.NJCleanEnergy.com

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