Energy.gov

Note: Residents affected by Hurricane Sandy are eligible for an additional incentive of of $200 for qualifying furnaces, boilers, and water heaters purchased after October 29, 2012. It should also be noted that new incentives for gas water heaters took effect January 24, 2013 and further changes will take effect for furnaces on February 24, 2013.

In August 2010 New Jersey enacted legislation ([http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/AL10/57_.PDF S.B.

In New Jersey, under the Farmland Assessment Act, farmland actively devoted to an agricultural or horticultural use is assessed at its productivity value. This practice generally results in a lower tax burden for farmland owners compared to residential or commercial land owners. In January 2010 New Jersey enacted legislation ([http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/213_.PDF S.B.

In October 2008, New Jersey enacted legislation exempting renewable energy systems used to meet on-site electricity, heating, cooling, or general energy needs from local property taxes. (There is not a state component to property taxes in New Jersey). Eligible renewable energy systems* include solar PV, wind, fuel cells, sustainable biomass, geothermal electric, landfill gas, hydroelectric, resource recovery, wave, and tidal systems that produce electricity.

The PSE&G Small Business Direct Install Program provides recommended efficiency upgrades to business customers with an electric demand of less than 150 kilowatts(kW) or 40,300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. PSE&G provides a walk-through energy evaluation, and a report of recommended energy efficiency improvements. PSE&G will initially cover the cost of installing the recommended energy efficiency measures. See the program web site for repayment details.

The PSE&G Municipal Direct Install Program provides recommended efficiency upgrades up front with a program budget of $50 million to government and non-profit facilities including schools with a willingness to repay 20% of the cost over two years. The program will target all government and non-profit entities who receive natural gas and/or electricity from PSE&G. Customers with electric demand of 150 kW or less will be eligible for the program.

Note: As of this writing this program is no longer accepting new applications. The summary below describes the program as it existed prior to its suspension and is included for informational purposes only. In May 2012 the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) issued an order (see May 23, 2012 BPU Order above) providing for an extension of utility solar programs and allowing utilities a choice on whether to participate or not participate.

PSE&G, in concert with New Jersey's Clean Energy Program (NJCEP), provides a range of incentives for new equipment and energy efficiency measures in residences. All program rebates are awarded through NJCEP, although customers may reach incentive information through the PSE&G web site. The Cool Advantage Program offers rebates for high-efficiency central air conditioners and electric heat pumps. Additionally, the Warm Advantage Program offers rebates for high-efficiency gas water heaters, furnaces and boilers. View the PSE&G program web site listed above for more information.

Note: In July 2012 New Jersey enacted legislation (S.B. 1925) requiring electric utilities to allow public entities such as state and local governments, local agencies and school districts to engage in "net metering aggregation" of solar facilities. In order to qualify for net metering aggregation, the solar facility must be on property owned by the customer, be owned and operated by the single customer, and with the exception of state entities, be located within the customer's territorial jurisdiction.

The New Jersey Comfort Partners program is a free of charge, direct installation energy efficiency assistance program available to most New Jersey households with significant energy usage and an income at or below 225% of the federal poverty guidelines. The measures offered are case-specific and will depend on the outcome of a comprehensive energy analysis of the household, but may include lighting upgrades, home and equipment insulation, HVAC system repairs, replacement of inefficient appliances (e.g., refrigerators), air and duct sealing, or custom measures.