New Jersey's Clean Energy Program Empowers Municipalities to Fight Climate Change

Strategic Insights -

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has opened the application window for the fourth Program Year of the Community Energy Plan Grant (CEPG) Program. This program aims to help local communities create community energy plans that align with the State's Energy Master Plan. Municipalities can earn up to $25,000 to create localized community energy plans focusing on equitable access, energy resilience, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

140 communities have been approved for grants since the beginning of the CEPG program. The program has provided funding for local projects that can lower energy costs for municipalities. The CEPG program has expanded its funding availability to overburdened municipalities. In partnership with NJBPU, Sustainable Jersey provides technical assistance to CEPG applicants, with a focus on overburdened municipalities. Municipalities that do not have a community energy plan are encouraged to apply for year four of the CEPG program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has opened the application window for the fourth Program Year of the CEPG program.
  • Municipalities may earn up to $25,000 to create localized community energy plans focusing on equitable access, energy resilience, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
  • 140 communities have been approved for grants since the beginning of the CEPG program.
  • The CEPG program has expanded its funding availability to overburdened municipalities, with eligible towns receiving up to $25,000.
  • Sustainable Jersey provides technical assistance to CEPG applicants, with a focus on overburdened municipalities.
  • Municipalities that do not have a community energy plan are encouraged to apply for year four of the CEPG program.
  • The application window opened on June 9, 2025, and will close on July 18.
  • The CEPG program involves a partnership between NJBPU and Sustainable Jersey.
  • Randall Solomon, Executive Director of Sustainable Jersey, has seen the impact of community energy plans in municipalities that have participated in the program.

Statistics:

  • 140 communities have been approved for grants since the beginning of the CEPG program.
  • The CEPG program has expanded its funding availability to overburdened municipalities.
  • Municipalities can earn up to $25,000 to create localized community energy plans.
  • Over 90 municipalities were awarded grants in the most recent series of grants for Program Year 3.
  • NJBPU's Office of Clean Energy Equity administers the CEPG program.
  • Sustainable Jersey provides technical assistance to CEPG applicants.

Sources:

  • Trenton, NJ -- The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
  • About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers.
  • About New Jersey's Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) NJCEP, established on January 22, 2003, in accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA), provides financial and other incentives to the State's residential customers, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies.