In an effort to address carbon emissions through the building sector, the state’s second-largest emissions contributor, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities this week released three straw proposals for Building Decarbonization Start Up programs for the second three-year program cycle of energy efficiency initiatives.
Two meetings will be held to welcome public input on the straw proposals, which the BPU feels will significantly impact energy efficiency programs and ratepayer savings in New Jersey.
“These proposals represent an important step to work with utilities to measure and consider both energy savings and building emissions,” BPU President Joe Fiordaliso said.
Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration feels decarbonization of buildings is a critical component in the state’s Energy Master Plan and is the focus of the governor’s Executive Order 316, which aims 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 properties electrification-ready by 2030.
The BPU said the proposals represent an important step to work with utilities to measure and consider both energy savings and building emissions. It also feels it 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 Tuesday to discuss the straw proposals. Comments on the straw proposals are due by 5 p.m. June 27.
To register for the 2 p.m. public meeting, click here.
To register for the 6 p.m. public hearing, click here.
