Murphy Administration unveils roadmap to decarbonize New Jersey’s buildings, advance clean energy transition
TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy on Thursday announced the release of a strategic roadmap for building decarbonization, outlining policy, legislative, and workforce recommendations designed to reduce emissions, promote clean energy, and create greener, more energy-efficient buildings across New Jersey.
The roadmap — developed through a multi-year, whole-of-government effort — includes recommendations from the Clean Buildings Working Group, a coalition of agency experts formed to address the state’s second-largest source of pollution: buildings.
Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 316, signed in 2023, directed the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy (OCAGE) to craft the plan as part of the state’s broader effort to electrify 400,000 residential and 20,000 commercial units by 2030.
“Over the past eight years, we have worked across government to grow New Jersey’s green economy and reduce emissions,” Murphy said. “This report is the culmination of partnerships across labor, industry, and communities throughout the State – each bringing unique insight and experience to drive the adoption of energy efficiency improvements and emissions reduction upgrades in New Jersey’s buildings. Together, they have put forth a comprehensive strategy for lowering emissions as part of our all-of-the-above approach to climate action.”
The roadmap calls for sweeping updates to energy efficiency standards, expanded financial incentives for electrification, and new training programs to prepare workers for jobs in the growing clean energy economy.
“With this roadmap, we are releasing a whole-of-government approach to equitably addressing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from the buildings sector,” said Eric Miller, Executive Director of OCAGE. “The recommendations in the strategic roadmap reflect national best practices and countless hours of work by key stakeholders and government experts to craft an actionable pathway to make progress on building decarbonization.”
According to the report, fossil fuel combustion in buildings accounts for about 25% of New Jersey’s total emissions. The Murphy administration has identified this sector as central to meeting its goal of running the state on 100% clean energy.
The roadmap outlines five key focus areas:
- Decarbonization Policies: Accelerating building electrification through new regulatory measures, enhanced incentives, and public education.
- Utility Regulatory Evolution: Reforming gas and electric utility rules to align investments with decarbonization goals while maintaining affordability and reliability.
- Equity and Environmental Justice: Prioritizing underserved communities for clean energy access and protections.
- Workforce Development: Expanding certification programs and creating job pathways to build a diverse clean energy workforce.
- Data and Performance Tracking: Establishing systems to measure progress and ensure accountability in meeting climate goals.
The roadmap supports a multi-pronged approach that includes installing zero-carbon equipment, expanding energy efficiency and demand response programs, and ensuring that low-income and overburdened communities benefit from cleaner, more affordable energy.
Murphy emphasized that affordability remains a top priority, with policies designed to keep electricity and energy bills manageable as the state transitions to cleaner technologies.
The full roadmap is available on the State of New Jersey website.
