July 2023

Look, There’s Money Coming Out the Wazoo!

By Robert Roop, P.E., Lockatong Engineering

N ew Jersey has had an Energy Master Plan since 1977, when enacted in response to the mid 1970s energy crisis. Some readers will remem ber the shocking price of gasoline and long lines at gas stations. Since that time, energy programs have evolved and grown. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is responsible for the regulation of tariffs on gas and electric consumer prices. They also oversee a multitude of programs including energy conservation. The BPU administers programs that directly impact resi dents, including condominium owners, through numerous programs designed to reduce energy consumption by improving the energy efficiency of home appliances. One of the BPU’s divisions, the Division of Clean Energy, admin isters the New Jersey Clean Energy Program to promote energy efficiency programs and the development of renew able sources of energy including solar, wind, geothermal, combined heat and power, as well as biomass. The

program goals include lowering energy costs, reducing electric demand, and emitting fewer pollutants. Periodically, the BPU review process establishes funding levels and sets tariffs that the utility companies can charge commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential custom ers. The most recent review important to consumers was the authorization of the July 2021 to June 2024 rebate and incentive program. This current program differs from earlier programs. It is administered through the utility companies themselves rather than through the state agencies. The incentive program is user-friendly and requires little paper work to participate. In New Jersey, there are four electric distribution utilities. To take advantage of any rebate program, the homeowner or association should contact their respective utility company (full website addresses are at the end of this article). Atlantic City Electric serves the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester,

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JULY 2023