For Immediate Release:	Contact: Peter Peretzman
Date: 05/8/2023	609-900-5626

Trenton, N.J.—The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today celebrated the 125,000^th home to participate in the Comfort Partners energy efficiency program. To celebrate the milestone, Board President Joseph L. Fiordaliso traveled to the home of Sonia Barata in Hillside. President Fiordaliso was joined by Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese, PSE&G President and COO Kim Hanemann and Deborah Franco Vice President of Rates, Regulatory & Sustainability for Elizabethtown Gas/South Jersey Industries.

 

Comfort Partners is a partnership between NJBPU and the state’s electric and gas utilities to help income-qualifying families and individuals save energy and money by making their homes more energy efficient. The program began in 2001. From the inception of the program in 2001 through 2022 there has been a total of 140,901 megawatt hours and 1,322,197 dekatherms of energy savings.  Currently, more than 126,000 homes have participated in the program.

 

“Comfort Partners is one of New Jersey’s most important energy efficiency programs,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “New Jersey’s housing stock is one of the oldest in the nation and often these homes are located in environmental justice communities. It is vitally important that the Comfort Partners program is able to make health, safety, and energy efficiency improvements in these homes to benefit the homeowner or renter. Thank you to Ms. Barata for hosting us at your home.”

 

Ms. Barata’s home was built in 1947 and posed health, safety, and energy efficiency challenges. The home had almost no insulation in the attic, leaking ductwork and safety risks with both her aging furnace and clothes dryer. The Comfort Partners program team was tasked with addressing these safety and comfort concerns in her home and saving her money on her energy bills. Ms. Barata was eligible for extensive energy and safety related assistance from Comfort Partners and all of the upgrades were performed free-of-charge.

 

“Congratulations to Comfort Partners for crossing such an important milestone,” said Senator Joseph Cryan (D-Union). “Helping New Jersey’s homeowners and renters improve the efficiency of their houses and apartments is a very effective way to help families reduce costs and improve their quality of life.”

 

“It is great to see firsthand an example of Government working for the people,” said Assemblyman Reginald Atkins, (D-Union). “The Comfort Partners program does a great job in providing upgrades to improve the lives of their residents.”

“Programs like Comfort Partners are so important as we attempt to improve the housing conditions in our communities,” said Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese. “I would urge all residents of Hillside who qualify for this program to apply so that they can reap the benefits of a healthier, safer and more energy efficient home.”

 

“Comfort Partners has been an important mainstay of New Jersey’s energy efficiency and environmental justice efforts for decades,” said Kim Hanemann, PSE&G president and COO. “This program delivers savings and support where they are needed most – to our low income community members. PSE&G is proud to be a part of the program that is so critical to the health and well-being of our communities. And we’re eager to continue to deliver this and all our programs that fulfill on our vision for a future where people use less energy, and it’s cleaner, safer and delivered more reliably than ever.”

 

“Energy efficiency enhancements are an effective way for customers to reduce their environmental footprint, save money, and decrease their energy consumption, all while contributing to a more sustainable future,” said Melissa Orsen, President, SJI Utilities, and SVP, SJI. “That’s why we’re proud to work with Comfort Partners to provide valuable energy efficiency services for income eligible households in Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas communities.”

 

Program representatives work personally with customers, in their house or apartment, to evaluate the home’s current level of energy efficiency. They review many factors that affect energy use, including home heating and cooling, water heating, lighting, and major appliances. They also teach customers and their families’ new ways to conserve energy and help them create an action plan for the future.

 

Comfort Partners may include added insulation, caulking, weather stripping, energy-saving showerheads, and light bulbs at no cost to the customer. All work is inspected and guaranteed for one year.   Those who are interested may contact the program at 800-915-8309 (Option 1) or through a form on the website of the New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program.  

 

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. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.  

 

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, thereby reducing energy usage, lowering customers' energy bills and reducing environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website is www.NJCleanEnergy.com.