Fewer than half of New Jersey municipalities have applied for no-match federal grants to help make energy efficiency upgrades. The deadline is fast approaching.

The deadline is Dec. 31, 2010 for New Jersey counties and municipalities to cash in on
a great opportunity to get a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

You’d think that at a time when local governments are so strapped for funding that they
would be all over this opportunity to win (no-match) funding for energy improvements that
can produce sizable cost savings year after year.

But, although 512 local governments are eligible for the grants, only a few
over 200 have applied.

Below is a copy of the reminder memo sent to local mayors by NJ State League of Municipalities Executive Director Bill Dressel. Give it a read and check with your county
or town to see if they’re working on their application.  Time’s almost up….
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December 10, 2010
Re:     Update on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
           Deadline of December 31, 2010 is approaching

Dear Mayor:

On behalf of Board of Public Utilities President Lee A. Solomon, I wanted to bring to your attention that of the 512 counties and municipalities eligible for the $20,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) only a little over 200 have submitted an application.  The deadline for this valuable grant is December 31, 2010 and there are no matching requirements.

The EECBG rebates of up to $20,000, funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), are being administered through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ (BPU) Clean Energy Program (NJCEP). In addition, the BPU’s Direct Install initiative covers 60% of energy efficiency upgrade costs up to $50,000 per project with a $250,000 cap per entity.  When used in conjunction with Direct Install, the combination of program incentives with the block grant means local governments can receive up to $50,000 of energy efficiency measures for free ($30,000 from Direct Install plus $20,000 from EECBG).  Many participants are using the funds to replace heating and cooling equipment and lighting systems with new technology and are looking forward to recurring savings on their utility bills.

The BPU has created a grant process that is simple and fast, with staff available to guide you. The Clean Energy Program’s website has a list of eligible municipalities and counties.  Additionally, towns that have not applied for their free upgrades are highlighted in red and can be found at: http://www.njcleanenergy.com/commercial-industrial/programs/eecbg-eligible-entities.

New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program offers local governments a number of opportunities to save energy and lower utility bills.  Taking advantage of Direct Install and combining it with the EECBG rebate program has the potential to cut expenses dramatically, often with zero net cost and an immediate payback.

Again, the EECBG is available with NO MATCH to qualifying counties and municipalities that apply by December 31st.  I encourage you to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the EECBG process and reach out to representatives at 866-NJSMART, ext. 4.

Very truly yours,

William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director 
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