NJ.ORG
Green Pages 2009

The stimulus plans from an environmental perspective.

First Energy Block Grant Received

by Margaret Morris

New Jersey is starting to receive approximately $17.5B total in economic stimulus funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Of that, 9%,  or about $1.5B,  will be used for infrastructure and energy..

This is part of the $3.2B in Federal funds earmarked for “energy efficiency and conservation block grants” for programs already authorized under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and aimed at reducing fossil-fuel emissions, improving energy efficiency and reducing total energy usage in the transportation and building sectors.

Those funds are intended primarly  for local government entities (68%) and state governments (28%),with 2% available for distribution to Indian tribes and 2% for competitive bids. They are to be used for

·        Developing energy efficiency and conservation strategies

·        Using technical consultants to develop those strategies

·        Formulating  efficiency, conservation and usage goals

·        Encouraging energy consumers to adopt new behaviors

·        Developing:measurable standards of progjress toward goals

·        Developing and publishing annual reports

·        Conducting energy audits for both business and residential users

·        Rewarding increased energy efficiency with financial incentives

·        Providing grants to nonprofits and government agencies for retrofits

·        Educating the public

·        Identifying energy efficient technologies

·        Developing and implementing programs to conserve energy that is used in transportation, e.g., use of flex time, setting up satellite work centers,  synchronizing traffic signals, etc.

New Jersey will receive $75.4M of the block-grant money. The state Department of Energy will establish accountability standards for grant recipients and require reporting on such factors as

·        The number of jobs that were created or retained

·        The energy that was saved

·        The renewable energy capacity that was installed

·        The greenhouse gas emissions that were reduced

·        The funds that were leveraged

Seventy-six state, county and local government units will share in this grant.

 Weatherization Funding

New Jersey will receive $192.4M in weatherization funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

The funds are to be used for weatherizing homes. Individuals earning less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines can qualify, with an average of $6500 being invested per home for such things as

·        Adding more insulation

·        Sealing air leaks

·        Updating heating and air-conditioning equipment

The state Department of Energy estimates that energy consumers can reduce their heating bills by 32% and overall energy bills by hundreds of dollars each year

For information about applying for weatherization, call the NJ Department of Community Affairs at 1-800-510-3102.

 State Energy Program

New Jersey will receive $73.6M in stimulus funds for the State Energy Program.  The program’s goals are to reduce the demand for energy, promote conservatoin, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

The state is considering several methods of allocating this money. It may use programs run by the Board of Public Utilities Office of Clean Energy or the state Office of Energy Savings.

The funds will be used for projects that:

·        Provide rebates to consumers for home-energy audits and other improvements that save energy

·        Develop renewable energy sources and alternative fuels

·        Promote energy-saving Energy Star products

·        Improve the energy efficiency of state and local government office buildings

New Jersey is starting to recieve the funds.

 

Modernizing the Grid

The Stimulus Plan includes $4.5B for “Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.”

New Jersey’s Energy Plan, announced by Gov. Corzine in November, 2008, includes as one of its goals combatting “an outdated transmission infrastructure.”

The governor referred to a study by PJM Interconnection, operator of the regional transmission system, which forecast that the state could be paying 96% more for energy in 2020 than it paid in 2005 unless it takes action. PJM also said that inaction can lead to global climate change that may raise sea level along the New Jersey coastline.

The Energy Plan aims to:

·        Reduce energy consumption by at least 20%  by 2020, by maximizing conservation and efficiency

·        Reduce peak consumption by 5700 megawatts by 2020

·        Develop low-carbon-emitting power plants to accommodate increased distributed generation and peak-demand shifts, and ensure reliability

·        Give consumers ways to manage their energy usage

·        Stimulate the growth of green technologies and businesses through investing in New Jersey’s clean-energy industries

The Governor expects the Energy Plan to create a responsible energy system, reduce energy spending for consumers, create jobs and “establish the clean energy industry as a major part of New Jersey’s economy.”