Enigin Update - New Jersey Launches $20 Million Energy Efficiency Programme
THE U.S. State of New Jersey has launched a $20-million pilot programme which will provide energy efficiency project incentives, amongst others, for the State's largest commercial and industrial facilities.
The Large Energy Users Pilot is designed to promote self-investment in energy efficiency projects in existing buildings, with incentives up to $1 million for eligible projects in New Jersey's largest commercial and industrial facilities.
Only buildings or facilities with an annual billed peak demand of 400 kilowatts or more, such as most hospitals, universities, manufacturing facilities, and large office buildings, will be qualified or even considered for the programme.
Also to qualify, large energy users must provide proof of their 2010 contributions to the NJ Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) came to at least $300,000, this Societal Benefit Charge is collected through New Jersey's utility bills.
Lee A. Solomon, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities stated: “The Draft 2011 State Energy Master Plan identified energy efficiency as priority in our efforts to reduce energy costs for all ratepayers, and improve the reliability of the regional grid."
"This pilot program encourages the level of investment required to achieve significant energy savings for large energy users, while advancing the State's goal of reducing energy consumption. Additionally, our Large Energy User Pilot Program will create and support high paying jobs, just as our energy efficiency programmes for residential users and local governments have.”
In addition to the Large Energy Users Pilot Programme incentives, the N.J. Economic Development Authority's Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund will provide low interest financing for those participating in the programme. The fund provides loans of between $250,000 and $2.5 million with interest rates of 2-4 percent based on the term of the loan.
Enigin Distributors in the region can help, and are helping, many businesses and organisations to gain control of their energy use through Enigin plc's EnergyMaps programme - using funding where available, but always making savings on energy use and energy costs.
Picture of The fountains and New Jersey State Library at Trenton, NJ by Gribiche reproduced under Creative Commons license.
