WHY SUPPORT WHOLE HOUSE APPROACHES IN
NEW JERSEY?
Funding at the NJBPU
The New Jersey Board of Public Utility’s (NJBPU) proposed fiscal year 25-26 budget for the Board’s Clean Energy Program, which oversees several energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives, includes a stipulation to “back-burner” the Whole House Pilot Program, started in 2022 to support health, safe and energy-efficient housing in Trenton’s low-income communities.
EEA-NJ urges the NJBPU to include Whole House approaches in their final budget.
The deadline for written comments on the proposed budget is 5 pm on June 6. To weigh in quickly, join our Organizational Sign-On letter by noon on June 6:
The Need is High
According to the original research that prompted the pilot program, at least 35% of NJ households qualify as low-income households (at or below twice the poverty threshold as determined by the United States Census Bureau) and at least 40% of the residents identify as minority or as members of a State recognized tribal community. 12% of the population in the state is considered extremely low-income households (those earning less than 30% of the state median income).
Read the Asset and Gap Analysis Report from the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative here.
Energy Burdens Perpetuate Poverty
According to RMI, New Jersey’s extremely low-income households experience 11% energy burden. That’s over the 10% threshold where households are considered “energy impoverished.”
Energy impoverished households spend a high portion of their annual income to maintain livable heating and cooling levels in their home. Many of these homes consume more energy because they are leaky, in poor condition, and need critical (but expensive) repairs. This creates a vicious cycle where those who can least afford high energy bills face the highest heating/cooling costs per square foot and the greatest emissions.
Home Repairs & Weatherization Make A Difference
Weatherization is a proven, cost-effective strategy for fighting high energy burdens. According to the Department of Energy, every dollar invested in weatherization creates $1.72 in energy benefits and $2.78 in nonenergy benefits such as improved health outcomes. Weatherization creates average annual savings of $283 per household. With energy price spikes on New Jersey’s horizon due to PJM interconnection queue delays, accessing these savings is even more pressing.
HOWEVER, the need for critical home repairs—often deferred for financial reasons—can prevent effective weatherization. Many homes that need roof repair, mold remediation, wiring upgrades, etc., cannot receive weatherization services. These issues often contribute to health and habitability concerns while becoming increasingly more severe and expensive to fix over time.
Whole House Success in Pennsylvania
EEA-NJ’s sister trade association in Pennsylvania, the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) vehemently supported that state’s Whole-Home Repairs Program. Whole-Home Repairs saw runaway demand once implemented.
Visit KEEA’s website to learn more about why we supported a Whole House approach.