SJI details sustainability efforts on National Energy Efficiency Day

South Jersey Industries' headquarters.

Saying that increasing energy efficiency is the quickest, most cost-effective way to meet the state and region’s energy needs, cut utility bills and reduce pollution, South Jersey Industries marked National Energy Efficiency Day by affirming its commitment to the mission.

“At SJI, we are passionate about responsible stewardship of the environment,” CEO Mike Renna said. “We see it as our responsibility to engage our customers in energy efficiency, providing education, resources and additional support that help them save money and conserve energy.”

In 2021, SJI’s utility subsidiaries, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas, received regulatory approval for their largest-ever energy efficiency program, Conserve, which has an ambitious timeline for achieving a 70% carbon reduction of operational emissions and consumption by the year 2030 and having 100% carbon-neutral operations by 2040.

In addition to providing greater access to financial incentives and energy assessments, Conserve also features an online marketplace with instant rebates and discounts on energy-efficient products. Now through the end of the year, customers can get a free Google Nest Thermostat through the South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas online marketplaces.

Renna said SJI also is committed to forming meaningful partnerships with organizations that provide energy conservation education, resources and tools.

Each academic year, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas partner with the Alliance to Save Energy to deliver the EmPowered Schools program, a yearlong science, technology, engineering and mathematics-based curriculum that educates students about energy efficiency. In addition, the program provides participating students with tools and resources to save energy at home and in school. As a result, participating schools achieve, on average, 5-15% energy savings through no-cost operations and behavior changes.

In addition, SJI and its utilities partner with local municipalities, community-centric organizations and nonprofits to provide customers and community members with energy efficiency information and materials at local events.