TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has awarded Community Energy Plan Grants to 19 municipalities across the state to support local clean energy planning efforts.
Seventeen municipalities will receive $10,000 grants, while two will receive enhanced awards of $25,000 through the Community Energy Plan Grant (CEPG) program, officials said.
“Since its inception in 2019, the Clean Energy Plan Grant (CEPG) Program has issued grants to159 communities across New Jersey,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “CEPG is a great investment to help municipalities identify clean energy projects to help lower energy costs and benefit residents, especially those in overburdened communities.”
The program helps municipalities develop community energy plans aligned with the state’s Energy Master Plan, focusing on reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy access.
The municipalities receiving grants include Long Branch (Monmouth County), Newark (Essex County), Atlantic Highlands (Monmouth County), Bloomfield (Essex County), Byram (Sussex County), Chesterfield (Burlington County), East Amwell (Hunterdon County), Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic County), Englewood Cliffs (Bergen County), Hackensack (Bergen County), Hillsborough (Somerset County), Jackson (Ocean County), Keyport (Monmouth County), Mahwah (Bergen County), Mullica (Atlantic County), Neptune City (Monmouth County), North Haledon (Passaic County), Point Pleasant Beach (Ocean County), and Wall (Monmouth County).
Officials said municipalities that complete energy plans will be eligible to apply for additional clean energy incentives.
“Sustainable Jersey is proud to serve as the technical assistance provider for the Community Energy Planning Grant program,” said Randall Solomon, Executive Director of Sustainable Jersey. “It’s an honor to support municipal teams in planning actions that will reduce energy use and save money for the municipalities, while working toward making the goals outlined in the Energy Master Plan a reality.”
The CEPG program, launched in 2019, is administered by NJBPU’s Office of Clean Energy Equity and provides additional funding opportunities for overburdened communities.
