South Jersey Gas Requests Significant Expansion of Energy Efficiency Programs
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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, December 4, 2023 – South Jersey Gas, a subsidiary of SJI, announced that the company filed a request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) seeking to expand the company’s energy efficiency programs for two and half years, beginning in January 2025. The $425 million proposal, South Jersey Gas’ largest energy-efficiency program request, would expand opportunities for low-to-moderate income customers and align with the State’s clean energy goals.
Since 2009, South Jersey Gas has invested more than $187 million in energy efficiency programs. South Jersey Gas’ filing represents a commitment to the State’s emissions priorities, advancing New Jersey’s clean energy goals in a manner that will benefit customers, the environment and the State’s green economy. The program positions South Jersey Gas to meet or exceed its annual energy consumption reduction targets set by the New Jersey Clean Energy Act. Fully subscribed, the program could help customers save $127 million in energy costs and over 81 million therms over its lifetime, which equates to preventing the release of over 560,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – the same as removing over 113,000 cars from New Jersey roadways for a year.
“SJI and our regulated utility subsidiaries remain steadfastly committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable energy to our over 725,000 natural gas customers across the State,” said Melissa Orsen, President, SJI Utilities. “Promoting energy efficiency is core to our efforts to reduce costs for our customers while also advancing favorable environmental outcomes. We fully support the Murphy Administration’s and the BPU’s efforts to continue the progress our industry has made in enhancing energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction in our State.”
The programs include on-bill repayment and rebates for energy efficiency equipment upgrades, an efficient products marketplace featuring discounted smart thermostats, free weatherization measures for low to moderate-income customers, and tailored solutions for commercial and industrial customers. While the overall program investments will lead to reduced energy usage and savings for participating customers, the impact of the proposed programs on the monthly bill of a residential heating customer using 100 therms would be an increase of $1.24 or 0.7 %, as compared to current rates.
The filing also proposes three new programs focused on building decarbonization and natural gas demand response. South Jersey Gas also proposed to expand its recently launched Workforce Development Program, which provides free educational opportunities, technical training and certification to support and advance a clean energy workforce and economy.
“Building on our decades-long record of leadership in running energy efficiency programs, South Jersey Gas continues to help customers save money, manage energy usage and reduce emissions,” said Brent Schomber, President & COO, South Jersey Gas. “As proposed, by enlarging energy efficiency programs available to our community, we hope to empower residential, multifamily, commercial and industrial customers to save energy in a cost-effective way.”
For more information about South Jersey Gas Energy Efficiency Programs, visit southjerseygas.com/save or call 1.866.604.5728.