March 1, 2023
A recent analysis from New Jersey Policy Perspective found that nearly $2 billion has been diverted from New Jersey’s Clean Energy Fund since 2010. From press conferences to sign-on letters, the responding message from New Jersey’s energy efficiency industry has been clear: Stop the Raids!
Frustration with Clean Energy Fund raids led over thirty businesses to co-sign mid-February letters to Governor Murphy and NJ legislature leadership (readable at bit.ly/eeanjCEFraidletter). Many of those businesses are members of our organization–the Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey (or EEA-NJ), a trade association of energy efficiency businesses that do work in New Jersey. In light of these letters and Governor Murphy’s budget address yesterday afternoon, EEA-NJ is sharing this statement:
“EEA-NJ is disappointed that Governor Murphy’s budget announcement includes $70 million of raids from the Clean Energy Fund. The Clean Energy Fund is a ratepayer-funded pool that funds energy efficiency, distributed energy, and renewable energy programs, as well as programs for EVs, energy storage, and workforce development. Especially in light of the Governor’s recent commitment to 100% clean energy by 2035, raiding the CEF is essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul. NJ needs fully funded clean energy programs to reach these ambitious goals. We urge the legislature to prioritize full funding of the Clean Energy Fund in this year’s budget.”
The Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey will continue advocating for our member businesses. That means fighting for better protection of the Clean Energy Fund and better funding for economy-boosting, cost-cutting, job-creating, and emissions-slashing clean energy projects. Please contact us to learn more about our work on this issue and the services we provide to members.