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Elizabethtown Gas Requests Significant Expansion of Energy Efficiency Programs

 Aligning Clean Energy Investments with State Environmental Goals, Helping Customers Save Money

UNION, NJ, December 4, 2023 – Elizabethtown Gas, subsidiary of SJI, announced that the company filed a request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) seeking to expand the company’s energy efficiency programs for two and half years, beginning in January 2025. The $277 million proposal is Elizabethtown Gas’ largest energy-efficiency program request and would expand opportunities for low-to-moderate income customers and align with the State’s clean energy goals.

The filing represents a commitment to the State’s emissions priorities, advancing New Jersey’s clean energy goals in a manner that will benefit customers, the environment and the State’s green economy. The program positions Elizabethtown Gas to meet or exceed its annual energy consumption reduction targets set by the New Jersey Clean Energy Act. Fully subscribed, the program will help customers save $92 million in energy costs and over 71 million therms over its lifetime, which equates to preventing the release of over 540,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – the same as removing over 109,000 cars from New Jersey roadways for a year.

“SJI and our regulated utility subsidiaries remain steadfastly committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable energy to our over 725,000 natural gas customers across the State,” said Melissa Orsen, President, SJI Utilities. “Promoting energy efficiency is core to our efforts to reduce costs for our customers while also advancing favorable environmental outcomes. We fully support the Murphy Administration’s and the BPU’s efforts to continue the progress our industry has made in enhancing energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction in our State.”

As proposed, Elizabethtown Gas will offer a comprehensive suite of residential, multifamily, commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs that will encourage all customers, regardless of customer type or income, to reduce energy usage and save money. While the overall program investments will lead to reduced energy usage and savings for participating customers, the impact of the proposed programs on the monthly bill of a residential heating customer using 100 therms would be an increase of $1.26, or 1.1 %, as compared to current rates. The programs include on-bill repayment and rebates for energy efficiency equipment upgrades, an efficient products marketplace featuring discounted smart thermostats, free weatherization measures for low to moderate-income customers, and tailored solutions for multifamily and commercial and industrial customers. The filing also proposes three new programs focused on building decarbonization and natural gas demand response. Elizabethtown Gas also proposed to expand its recently launched Workforce Development Program, which provides free educational opportunities, technical training and certification to support and advance a clean energy workforce and economy.

“We are committed to providing innovative energy efficiency programs to help customers save energy and money,” said Christie McMullen, President & COO, Elizabethtown Gas. “As we file for the new programs, we look forward to providing more energy efficient resources to our community.”

For more information about Elizabethtown Gas Energy Efficiency Programs, visit elizabethtowngas.com/save or call 1.800.242.5830.