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MARCH 2021

UTILITY SHUTOFF MORATORIUM EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30, 2021

Governor Phil Murphy recently extended a moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least June 30, 2021. The moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be permitted to charge late fees or fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected.

The moratorium extension also applies to cable and telecommunications providers, which are prohibited from disconnecting Internet service in households with school-age children who may be using such service for educational purposes. Also, if a household experiences a change of circumstances where school age children will be using their home Internet service for school, the cable and telecommunications company will be required to reconnect that Internet service.

The moratorium does not forgive outstanding balances and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is asking anyone who is having trouble paying their utility bills to use this time to contact their utility to either pay whatever you can or enroll in a deferred payment plan. There are many options for help. For an overview of the customer assistance programs available for New Jersey residents visit: https://www.nj.gov/bpu/assistance/programs

BULK RECYCLING PROGRAM

Residential Bulk Appliance Recycling for multifamily properties is now available through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program™. Rebates are available for dwellings with at least five units when recycling five or more working refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, or dehumidifiers at a time. Eligible dwellings may receive a $50 rebate for each recycled refrigerator or freezer and $25 for each room air conditioner or dehumidifier.

Visit NJCleanEnergy.com/BULKRECYCLING for program details and requirements.Visit this page if you want to recycle an appliance for a non-multifamily residence.

ENHANCED INCENTIVES: DIRECT INSTALL & PAY FOR PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS

Over the past 18 months, New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program™ has provided over $25 million in enhanced incentives through the SmartStart and Customer Tailored programs for energy efficient lighting equipment in support of K-12 schools, local governments, affordable housing projects, and facilities located in an Urban Enterprise Zone or Opportunity Zone. This successful initiative has concluded and enhanced incentives for lighting equipment were discontinued as of 11:59 p.m. January 29, 2021 . Please note that base level lighting incentives are still available. In addition, enhanced incentives are available via the Direct Install or Pay for Performance Programs should you wish to consider a more comprehensive project beyond just lighting equipment. Contact us today to discuss your project!

HEAT PUMPS

A heat pump functions as a single system that can both heat and cool a home. Heat pumps draw heat from the environment. They can move it outdoors to cool a home during the summer, or indoors to heat a house during the winter.

They are more efficient at cooling and heating than traditional oil or propane, and use less energy to heat a home than an electric baseboard system. Heat pumps use no combustion of fossil fuels and do not produce carbon monoxide like other cooling and heating equipment.

Prescriptive rebates are available for certain heat pump equipment. Heat pumps can also be included in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects.

Learn more here .

ACOUSTIC TESTING PILOT PROGRAM

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) approved the Acoustic Testing Pilot Program, a new $1.5 million grant program for water utilities to install state-of-the-art leak detection technology to aid in identifying water leaks throughout their infrastructure. Identifying and correcting leaks throughout a system results in water and energy savings for New Jersey’s water utilities and their customers. Qualifying water utilities in New Jersey can apply for a grant within the Pilot Program starting on March 15.

The Pilot Program is an example of how NJBPU has worked to implement the recommendations of Governor Murphy’s landmark Energy Master Plan (EMP), which includes looking for “new energy-saving opportunities in complementary sectors, such as the water sector.” Monitoring and replacing leaking water supply pipelines could be critical in driving energy reductions, as the EMP notes.

Qualifying NJ water utilities can click hereto learn more and apply.

COVID-19 QUICK LINKS

New Jersey Department of Health

NJDOL and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Employers & Businesses Should Know

NJDOL Benefits and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Employees Should Know

Coronavirus and Drinking Water and Wastewater (U.S. EPA)

U.S. Pandemic Planning Efforts and Resources COVID-19 (CDC)

Risk Management for Novel COVID-19 (U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA))

National Risk Management of Coronavirus (DHS and CISA)

Global Status on COVID-19 Disease Outbreak (WHO)

Join the thousands of New Jersey residents, homeowners, businesses, and municipalities that have taken advantage of incentives offered by New Jersey's Clean Energy Program. The program provides opportunities for you to save energy and money while helping to protect our climate and shorelines.

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