Annually across the U.S., energy efficiency saves consumers approximately $90 billion in reduced energy bills while cutting carbon dioxide emissions. As the only strategy that lowers greenhouse gas emissions while also saving customers money, energy efficiency for all New Jersey residents is a crucial part of New Jersey’s efforts to address climate change.

Recently, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) published their 2019 report, ranking New Jersey as #17 overall in the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. This is an improvement from the state’s #18 ranking in 2018, with ACEEE recognizing the work of both New Jersey’s utilities and regulators. The report commends New Jersey’s passage of significant renewable energy legislation like the Clean Energy Act of 2018, and the sweeping goals set by the Energy Master Plan (EMP).

Governor Murphy’s clean energy agenda has put the state of New Jersey at the forefront of bold climate change action. Now, through the Clean Energy Act of 2018, Governor Murphy is taking the state even further towards it’s goals and ensuring utilities across the state are required to reduce their electricity usage by two percent and natural gas usage by 0.75 percent. Through the strategies laid out in the Energy Master Plan, New Jersey will prioritize clear energy-reduction goal setting and accountability, strategic energy management, and appliance efficiency, ensuring that New Jersey’s utilities are actively working towards the state’s energy efficiency standards and held accountable.

Beyond these important efficiency standards, the EMP lays out a plan to require increased efficiency in buildings across New Jersey. New construction codes will ensure that existing building are rehabilitated for maximum efficiency through retrofitting and upgraded equipment. These standards will also ensure new state-funded buildings in New Jersey are built to at least LEED Silver standards, established through certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system.

Over the last two decades, New Jersey has invested more than $2 billion on statewide energy efficiency programs through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP). NJCEP offers statewide financial incentives and services like instant rebates on LED lighting and energy efficient appliance to New Jersey residents, business owners, and local governments. NJCEP also provides a 100% reimbursement to qualifying local governments and non-profits for the Local Government Energy Audit, a consultation on how these entites can improve the efficiency of their buildings. As part of Governor Murphy’s Clean Energy Act of 2018, New Jersey will continue to invest in NJCEP to ensure all residents have access to these programs.

Through the Clean Energy Job Program outlined in the EMP, New Jersey will help it’s residents obtain the necessary skills to thrive in the state’s growing energy efficiency job market. In their 2019 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, the National Association of State Energy Officials and the Energy Futures Initiative found that almost 34,000 New Jersey residents were employed in energy efficiency jobs in 2017. One year later, the state saw an increase of over 2,000 energy efficiency jobs, with more than 36,000 residents employed in that sector in 2018. As New Jersey continues to prioritize energy efficiency, this job market will continue to grow rapidly, employing more and more residents every year. The Clean Energy Job Training Program ensures all residents can benefit from new jobs in energy efficiency.