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Adopted Community Energy Plan
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The City of Union City Community Energy Plan, prepared by DMR Architects and adopted on March 5, 2024, outlines strategies to promote cleaner, less expensive energy sources and align with New Jersey's Energy Master Plan goals. The plan addresses reducing energy consumption in government buildings, fleet vehicles, and among residents and businesses. It identifies 18 initiatives including supporting electric vehicles, zoning for solar installations, improving energy efficiency in municipal buildings, and engaging the public in energy conservation efforts. The city aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% of 2006 levels by 2050, mirroring state objectives.
Key initiatives include increasing charging stations and electrifying the city's vehicle fleet, promoting private and community solar projects through supportive zoning, enhancing energy efficiency in municipal buildings, and collaborating with stakeholders to overcome cost barriers to energy efficiency improvements. The plan also focuses on ensuring low- and moderate-income households benefit from clean energy initiatives. Strategies are supported by grant funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Sustainable Jersey's technical assistance, aiming to strategically prioritize initiatives and capitalize on current financial incentives.
Union City, identified as an overburdened municipality, is eligible for enhanced incentives to implement energy-saving actions. The plan emphasizes the importance of prioritizing initiatives to ensure the city leverages existing financial incentives for governments, businesses, and households to improve energy efficiency and adopt renewable energy generation and electric or alternative fuel vehicles.
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--- Document: Adopted Community Energy Plan Document --- CITY OF UNION CITY COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN PREPARED BY DMR ARCHITECTS ADOPTED MARCH 5, 2024 Mayor Brian Stack City of Union City Daniel Hauben, PP, AICP, LEED® Green Associate™ DMR Architects ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 3 City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CITY COUNCIL Mayor Brian P. Stack Commissioner Lucio P. Hernandez Commissioner Maryury A. Martinetti Commissioner Celin J. Valdivia Commissioner Wendy A. Grullon CITY PERSONNEL AND PROFESSIONALS Tammy Zucca, CPA, RMA, CMFO, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer David Spatz, PP, AICP, Community Housing & Planning Association, City’s Consulting Planner Shawn Thomas, Fleet Director Rosa Ayala, Office of the Mayor Rebecca Colditz, Deputy Department Head, Purchasing Ana Ledesma, Bookkeeper, Parking Authority SUSTAINABLE JERSEY Tracey Woods, Energy Program Manager Victoria Bearden, Project and Research Specialist GRANT FUNDING PROVIDED BY New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program, Community Energy Planning Grant 5 City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS Acknowledgments 3 City council 3 City Personnel and Professionals 3 Sustainable Jersey 3 Grant Funding Provided by 3 Table of Figures 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9 GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 11 INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE 13 COMMUNITY PROFILE 14 Demographics 14 Energy And Vehicle Usage Patterns 15 Actions To Date, And Potential Opportunities and Obstacles 16 Identifying A Leader 18 Sustainable Jersey Certification 18 Looking Beyond The Template 18 STRATEGY 1: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR 19 1.2 & 1.3 Train First Responders and NON EMERGENCY STAFF on EVs and EVSe 20 1.4 Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles 20 1.5 Improve Municipal Fleet Efficiency 22 1.6 Install Public EV Charging Infrastructure 24 1.8 Encourage Workplace EV Charging Infrastructure 26 STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES 27 2.1 Adopt Supportive Zoning and Permitting for Private Solar 27 2.3 Adopt Zoning and Permitting for Community Solar 28 2.5 Train Non-Emergency Staff on Solar 29 2.6 Install On-Site Municipal Renewable Generation / 2.13 Host a Community Solar Project on Municipal Property 30 Strategy 3: MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION AND REDUCE PEAK DEMAND 33 3.1 Upgrade Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities 33 3.3 Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign 35 STRATEGY 4: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR 37 4.2 Encourage Benchmarking and Commissioning for Existing Buildings 37 4.3 Require Developers to Complete Green Development Checklist 37 4.4 Conduct Outreach Targeting New Construction in the Community 39 STRATEGY 6: SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION With an Emphasis on Encouraging and Supporting Participation by Low- and Moderate-Income and Environmental Justice Communities 40 7 City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF NOTES Note 1. Idle Reduction Types 23 Note 2. Typical EVSE Charger Levels 24 Note 3. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) 30 Note 4. Energy Upgrade Types 33 Note 5. Benefits of a Green Building Policy (Sustainable Jersey) 38 Note 6. Residential Energy Efficiency Standards, per NJ CEP RNC Program 39 Note 7. Income Based Energy Assistance Programs 40 TABLE OF FIGURES TABLE OF MAPS Map 1. City Map 14 Map 2. Transit Map 15 Map 3. Walk Score® walkability map for Union City. Darker green means more amenities and services are accessible by foot. 16 Map 4. Google Project Sunroof Data for Union City. Yellow roofs have more sunlight exposure, browner roofs have less. Screenshot taken November 3, 2023. 17 Map 5. Alternative Fueling Stations Near Union City 17 Map 6. NJ DEP’s Community Fast Charger Solicitation Map Tool for Union City. Highest scoring areas for suitability are in darker purple, scoring as much as 90 out 100 for suitability for Fast Charging stations.25 6.2 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Low- and Moderate-Income Residents 40 6.5 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Community-Serving Institutions 41 CONCLUSION 43 Next Steps 43 TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1. NJ Energy Master Plan Cover Page 13 Figure 2. Demographic Profile. Source: Sustainable Jersey Community Profile Data, originally sourced from the US Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. 15 Figure 3. GHG Emissions by Sector / Energy Type; Source: Sustainable Jersey Community Scale GHG Emissions Data. 15 Figure 4. VMT by Vehicle Type in 2019; Source: NJTPA On- Road VMT Data. 16 Figure 5. Commute Patterns; Source: 2020 American Community Survey 16 Figure 6. CO2e emissions by vehicle fuel type in New Jersey and Nationally 19 Figure 7. NJDEP’s 2023 Level 2 Charging Incentive Comparison Table, last updated January 2023 25 Figure 8. Screenshot of Google Project Sunroof data for City Hall. At an average of 14.2 Watts/square foot, Googles estimated 10,430 square feet of usable roof area could support a 148.2 kW system. At 1,435 hours of sunlight a year that system could generate 212,667 kWh/year or an average of 17,722.25 per month. 31 Figure 9. How Community Solar Works; Credit: Neighborhoodpower.com. Community solar extends the benefit of solar energy to people who may not be in a position to install their own systems, like renters and houses that receive a lot of shade. 31 Figure 11. NJ CEP Residential New Construction Incentives 38 Figure 12. NJ CEP Commercial New Construction Incentives 39 City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Community Energy Plan is prepared for the City of Union City through a grant provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, with technical assistance provided by Sustainable Jersey. Consistent with the Community Energy Planning Grant Goals, the purpose of this document is to serve as an action plan for the City to promote and adopt cleaner and less expensive energy sources and advance the objectives of the State of New Jersey 2019-adopted Energy Master Plan, which aims to generate 100% of the State’s energy through renewable sources and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to 80% of 2006 levels by 2050. The Energy Master Plan lays out eighteen initiatives that the City intends to pursue over the next three to five years to reduce energy consumption and dependence upon carbon based energy sources by both City government buildings and fleet vehicles as well as those of the City’s residents and businesses. The initiatives to reduce energy usage and promote renewable energy generation include regulatory actions, public outreach to encourage action by private citizens, businesses, and organization, and direct City expenditures on public buildings and public rights-of-way. The initiatives identified in this Plan include, but are not limited to: ► Support the use of electric vehicles by increasing the presence of charging stations and electrifying the City’s vehicle fleet; ► Zoning to permit private solar installations and community solar projects; ► Installing on-site renewable energy generation systems on municipal properties; ► Improving energy efficiency of municipal buildings; ► Working with the State, utilities providers, and contractors to reduce cost barriers to residential and commercial energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy generation; ► Encouraging developers to adopt green building practices; ► Educating and engaging the public in a collective effort to reduce energy consumption and switch to renewable energy sources;and ► Ensuring that low- and moderate-income households are not excluded from the benefits of the City’s initiatives. This Community Energy Plan is being written at a time when both the State and Federal governments are providing financial incentives for governments, businesses, and households to improve energy efficiency and adopt renewable energy generation and electric or alternative fuel vehicles, making clean energy more affordable than it has ever been. The future of these incentives - whether they will be renewed or eliminated in the coming years - is unknown. Adopting an energy plan and strategically prioritizing the initiatives the City will pursue over the next few years is crucial to ensure that the current opportunity is not missed. Union City is considered an overburdened municipality, which is defined as a municipality in which more than 50% of the population live within an Overburdened Community (OBC) Census Block and in which more than 35% percent of its population earning incomes below 200% of the poverty level OR the the municipality has a distress score of 40 or more according to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Municipal Revitalization Index. Every Block Group in the City meets one or more OBC criteria, and the City has a Municipal Revitalization Index score of 58. In 2022, 33,739 of the City’s 65,034 residents were living at or below 200% of the poverty level. These economic conditions constitute obstacles to the City and its constituents taking actions needed to reduce carbon-based energy consumption in the absence of the current incentives. They also reflect the disproportionate susceptibility of the City’s population to the impact of climate change and to variations in the costs of energy. As a result, the City is eligible for enhanced incentives to implement energy saving actions, investments, and programs. 11 City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS To save space in this document, the following terms and abbreviations are used to reference certain technical or scientific language, policies or laws, State or Federal government agencies and departments, technology, vehicle types,and the like. Alternative Fuel: Vehicle propulsion fuels other than diesel or gasoline and having a lesser net environmental impact than those traditional fuels. BESS: Battery Energy Storage System BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle - A vehicle that is powered entirely by an electric battery instead of a combustible fuel. These are also referred to as PEVs - Plug-in Electric Vehicles. CO2: Carbon dioxide Community Solar: One or more solar installations providing energy to buildings and uses on other properties, typically through a subscription service. Complete Streets: A transportation planning and urban design principle favoring street and road design that accommodates multiple modes of travel rather than prioritizing single-occupancy vehicles. DPW: The City of Union City’s Department of Public Works EMP or NJ EMP: 2019 New Jersey Energy Master Plan EPA: The United States Environmental Protection Agency EV: Electric Vehicle - Generic term for a vehicle that is propelled partially or entirely by an electric powered motor in lieu of or in addition to an engine powered by gasoline or another combustible fuel. EVSE: Electric Vehicle Service Equipment - This is another way of saying EV charging equipment. GHG or Greenhouse Gases: Gases emitted through both natural and anthropogenic processes which contribute to the greenhouse effect in the Earth’s atmosphere, most commonly in reference to CO2 and methane HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle - A vehicle that is primarily propelled by a combustible fuel but which can be propelled to a limited extent by an electric battery that is typically charged by the act of braking. ICE: Internal combustion engine - a vehicular engine which uses a combustible fuel like gasoline for propulsion. Typically does not include HEVs. LEED: Leadership in Energy Efficient Design - a program hosted by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) which grants certification to buildings, neighborhood developments, and cities that meet the minimum standards for one of four levels of efficient design, and which offers a credential program to professionals interested in demonstrating proficiency in green building design and operation. LMI Household: Low- and/or Moderate-Income Households, as defined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Micro-generation: Any small-scale production of heat or electricity through a low- or no-carbon source, including solar photo-voltaic systems, small wind turbines, and other on-site systems typically powering a single property. NJ DCA or DCA: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs NJ DEP or DEP: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJ DOT: New Jersey Department of Transportation NJ Transit: New Jersey Transit 12 City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS PHEV: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle - A vehicle that can be propelled by an electric battery for a greater distance than an HEV and propelled by a combustible fuel when the battery is drained. Unlike an HEV, the electric battery of a PHEV can be charged by EVSE. Private Solar: Any form of solar installation intended to provide energy to the buildings or uses located on the same property as the installation. US DOE or DOE: The United States Department of Energy VMT: Vehicle miles traveled - a measure of the number of miles traveled by one or more vehicles over a specified period of time. City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE This Community Energy Plan (CEP) has been prepared for the City of Union City in Hudson County, New Jersey, and is funded through the 2022 Community Energy Plan Grant program administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in partnership with Sustainable Jersey. The goal of the program and of the Community Energy Plan is to advance the purposes and objectives of the 2019 New Jersey Energy Master Plan, which include, by the year 2050: ► Generating 100% of the State’s electricity through carbon-neutral methods, which includes balancing carbon emissions with equal rates of carbon removal; and ► Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% of 2006 levels. The City of Union City desires to not only contribute to the State’s pursuit of its energy goals, but also to take actions to reduce the energy usage and greenhouse impact from services it provides to its residents and businesses and to help its residents and businesses reduce their own energy and carbon footprints as well as their energy costs. The CEP Grant program requires grant recipients to select from 38 initiatives to reduce local energy usage, including initiatives related to clean vehicles, solar energy, energy efficiency of buildings, green building practices, accessibility of clean energy for low- and moderate-income communities, and energy storage. This CEP for Union City identifies 18 initiatives that the City desires to pursue over the next for the next three to five years, or beyond, to reduce the City’s climate impact, energy consumption, and energy costs. Those initiatives are: Strategy 1. Reduce Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Transportation Sector ► 1.2 Train First Responders on EVs / EV Charging Infrastructure ► 1.3 Train Non-Emergency Staff on EVs / EV Charging Infrastructure ► 1.4 Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles ► 1.5 Improve Municipal Fleet Efficiency ► 1.6 Install Public EV Charging Infrastructure ► 1.8 Encourage Workplace EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2: Accelerate Deployment of Renewable Energy and Distributed Energy Resources ► 2.1 Adopt Supportive Zoning and Permitting for Private Solar ► 2.3 Adopt Zoning and Permitting for Community Solar ► 2.5 Train Non-Emergency Staff on Solar ► 2.6 Install On-site Municipal Renewable Generation ► 2.13 Host a Community Solar Project on Municipal Property Strategy 3: Maximize Energy Efficiency and Conservation and Reduce Peak Demand Figure 1. NJ Energy Master Plan Cover Page City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 INTRODUCTION ► 3.1 Upgrade Energy Efficiency in Municipal Facilities ► 3.3 Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign Strategy 4: Reduce Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Building Sector ► 4.2 Encourage Benchmarking and Commissioning for Existing Buildings ► 4.3 Require Developers to Complete Green Development Checklist ► 4.4 Conduct Outreach Targeting New Construction in the Community Strategy 6: Support Community Energy Planning and Action with Emphasis on Encouraging and Supporting Participation by Low- and Moderate-Income/Environmental Justice Communities ► 6.2 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Low- and Moderate-Income Residents ► 6.5 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Community-Serving Institutions Each action described in this Plan has the potential to improve quality of life and reduce energy costs and emissions in the City by educating the public about opportunities and practices that can reduce their energy costs and environmental footprints, directly reducing the City’s energy usage, and creating opportunities for new and existing buildings to be more efficient. COMMUNITY PROFILE DEMOGRAPHICS The City of Union City is a urban municipality with a population of 68,073 (2020) or a density of 52,873.75 persons per square mile over a 1.28 square-mile area. It is located in Hudson County, surrounded by West New York, North Bergen Township, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Weehawken. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer – Household Data (LEHD) On the Map data tool, 26.6% of the City’s labor force in 2020 worked in New York City (20.5% in Manhattan, 2.8% in Brooklyn, 2.5% in Queens). Another 35% worked in Hudson County, including 12.2% in Union City. Another 11.1% of the labor force worked in outer counties such as Middlesex, Passaic, Union, and Morris County. Despite transit-accessible places of employment comprising the majority of working destinations, and despite being well- served by transit the 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) data indicates that 44% of commutes by Union City residents are completed by passenger vehicles and just 40% are completed public transit. It should be noted that the ACS treats any commutes that start by car and end on transit - such as anyone driving to a train station or bus park- and-ride - as a commute by passenger vehicle. The City is a low-income community compared to the rest of New Jersey, with a median household income of $49,547 in 2020 and 19.7% of the population at or below the poverty level (compared to $85,245 and 9.7%, respectively, statewide). The vast majority of residents, 77%, are of Hispanic or Latino origin. The majority of residents, 61%, are white. Only 19.8% of occupied housing units in the City are owner- occupied, compared to 64% statewide. Renters have fewer options than homeowners to make energy-saving changes to their living spaces or adopt green energy; for example, Map 1. City Map City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 INTRODUCTION they cannot unilaterally install solar panels on their homes or electric vehicle charging equipment, nor are they often able to replace older, less efficient large appliances with newer, more efficient ones. ENERGY AND VEHICLE USAGE PATTERNS Based on 2022 property tax data, more than 46% of the City’s land area is devoted to one-to-four family residential uses, and another 7.5% is dedicated to multi-family residential uses. Commercial land uses represent another 20.6% of land area. For comparison, the 2020 U.S. Census identified 2-to-4 unit structures as comprising nearly 4 out of 10 housing units in the City, and approximately half of the housing units in the City as being contained in buildings with 5 or more units. Despite the majority of residents commuting by transit, walking to work, or working at home, vehicle usage still contributed to more than one third (35.67%) of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. Vehicle Miles Traveled data for 2019 indicates that 115 million vehicle miles that were traveled in the State were attributable to Union City that year, which is more than 4 times the miles attributed to light-duty trucks and more than 50 times the miles attributed to buses. The City ranks 130 out of 494 municipalities included in the dataset for vehicle miles traveled. North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority data from 2017 and 2019 indicate that the City saw a sixty-one thousand mile reduction in vehicle miles traveled between 2017 and 2019, mostly driven by a decline in miles driven by passenger vehicles, even as commercial vehicles (trucks) increased their vehicle miles traveled. In 2020, residents, businesses, and government facilities purchased a total of 239 million kWh from PSE&G. This is about seven (7) million kWh less than what was purchased in 2015, as commercial and industrial properties consumed eight (8) million less in 2020 while residential properties and street lights used one (1) million more. While change could reflect improvements in energy efficiency, it most likely reflects changes resulting from the COVID pandemic, including the closing of businesses to minimize the spread of disease. Similarly, natural gas consumption declined from 2015 to 2020 among both residential and non-residential users, from 6.5 million therms to just Map 2. Transit Map Figure 2. Demographic Profile. Source: Sustainable Jersey Community Profile Data, originally sourced from the US Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. NJ DCA MRI Score* Low and Moderate Income* Percent of Population in Poverty Median Household Income Households % Hispanic or Latino Origin* % Other % Asian, Pacific Islander, and Hawaiian % Black % White Population 58 Yes 19.7% $49,457 25,528 77% 30% 4% 6% 61% 68,073 9.43% 11.11% 0.45% 0.89% 18.29% 20.76% 1.01% 2.36% 35.67% 2020 Community-Scale Energy-Related GHG Emissions by Sector and Energy Type (MT CO2e) Residential Electricity Commercial Electricity Industrial Electricity Street Lighting Electricity Residential Natural Gas Commercial Natural Gas Industrial Natural Gas Street Lighting Natural Gas Other Heating Fuels On-Road Vehicles Figure 3. GHG Emissions by Sector / Energy Type; Source: Sustainable Jersey Community Scale GHG Emissions Data. City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 INTRODUCTION over 6 million therms. Natural gas represents the predominant source of heating fuel, being used by 77% of households as opposed to 16% that use electric heating. Electricity, heating, street lighting, and vehicle usage in Union City generated 243,880 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), the standard measure of greenhouse gas emissions, down from 288,035 in 2015. About eighteen thousand MTCO2e of the estimated reduction is attributed to reduced vehicle usage, while the rest is attributed to reduced emissions from electricity and heating. The reductions in non- residential emissions are largely due to lower electric and gas consumption, while the reduction in emissions from residential users is due to a lower estimated emissions factor per MWh (558.3 pounds of CO2e per MWh in 2015 versus 492.293 pounds per MWh in 2020). While motor vehicles are responsible for one-third of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions, (See Figure 3 on page 15). another third of emissions come from residential and commercial natural gas consumption. It should also be noted that while the 2020 Statewide emissions rate per-resident was 13.44 MTCO2e, compared to 3.58262 in Union City, making Union City residents the fourth lowest emitting municipality in the State. Residents and workers in dense, mixed-use communities tend to have a lower carbon footprint because of transit access, more efficient land use, and efficiencies of having multiple tenants per building. Walkscore.com, which uses geographic data to score communities by walkability, transit access, and bike friendliness, gives the City a Walk Score of 94 - meaning that daily errands do not require a car. It also gives the City a transit score of 80, meaning that transit is convenient for most trips, and a bike score of 54, meaning that the City has some bike infrastructure. See Map 3 on page 16. ACTIONS TO DATE, AND POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES ACTIONS TO DATE ► Union City adopted an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging ordinance implementing the Model Ordinance published by the NJ DCA and incorporated into the Municipal Land Use Law in 2021. ► In 2022 the City received two grants from the State’s EV Tourism and It Pay$ to Plug In grant programs totaling $192,000. ► The Union City Board of Education received incentives worth over $98k in 2011 through the Local Government Map 3. Walk Score® walkability map for Union City. Darker green means more amenities and services are accessible by foot. Figure 5. Commute Patterns; Source: 2020 American Community Survey 44% 40% 1% 1% 10% 1% 3% Transportation to Work Car, truck, or van Public transport Taxicab Motorcycle Bicycle Walked Other means Worked at home Figure 4. VMT by Vehicle Type in 2019; Source: NJTPA On-Road VMT Data. 1,881,626 13,086,029 25,944,126 1,187,901 115,111,346 5,344,392 0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 Buses (intercity, transit, & school) Combination Trucks (short & long haul) Light Trucks (commercial & passenger) Motorcycle Passenger Car Single Unit Trucks (refuse, short & long haul) and Motorhomes Vehicle Miles Traveled by Vehicle Type City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 INTRODUCTION Energy Audit (LGEA) program to identify paths to improve energy efficiency on school facilities. ► The Union City Housing Authority received a $10,060 incentive in 2015 to retrofit the Palisade Plaza building at 3700 Palisade Avenue, saving more than 89,000 KWh. OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENERGY IMPACT ► Public Transit: The City is well-served by bus and light rail lines, and is nearby ferry ports on the Hudson River offering commuter access to New York City. These amenities help in reducing energy consumption and emissions from personal vehicle miles traveled. Each of the nearby rail and ferry stations are served by buses. The City can explore partnerships and grant opportunities to fill in the gaps in last-stop connections to these transit points such as micro-mobility sharing services or even shuttles to Secaucus. ► Rooftop Solar: According to a City-wide analysis from Google’s Sunroof program, the City has 5.7 thousand roofs with 4.4 million square feet that can accommodate solar installations with a 62.8 MW DC capacity and generate over 72,600 MWh of electricity per year, or three-quarters of the electricity used by residential consumers in 2020. The median roof can fit a 476 square foot installation that can generate 7.7 thousand kWh per year. One hundred and thirty three (133) roofs in the City could accommodate systems with a capacity between have a between 50k and 300k kW in a year. (https://sunroof.withgoogle.com/data-explorer/place/ ChIJlS0E8YJXwokRgBdC98AFoAs/) ► Parking Authority: The City has a Parking Authority that operates several public lots and garages throughout the City. These facilities are ideal locations to install public charging infrastructure. Their roofs may also be appropriate locations for solar installations including community solar projects. ► Public EV Charging Stations: At the moment there are no public EV charging stations in the City, although there are stations in neighboring Cities. See Map 5 on page 17. CONSTRAINTS TO ENERGY IMPACT ► Housing Tenure: With 8 out of 10 housing units in the City being rentals, most of the City’s households have only limited ability to reduce energy usage and emissions from buildings. ► Housing Age: More than half of the housing units in the City are in buildings that were constructed before 1960. These buildings are typically less energy efficient and require significant rehabilitation to improve efficiency. ► Resident Income: With nearly one out of five households in poverty and a low city-wide median income, residents may not have the same resources available Map 4. Google Project Sunroof Data for Union City. Yellow roofs have more sunlight exposure, browner roofs have less. Screenshot taken November 3, 2023. Map 5. Alternative Fueling Stations Near Union City City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 INTRODUCTION to switch to electric or alternative fuel vehicles, purchase newer, energy efficient appliances, or invest in weather-proofing their homes. IDENTIFYING A LEADER The most important decision the City should make to begin its community energy planning program is to identify the person, office, or body to lead the implementation of its Community Energy Plan. Sustainable Jersey recommends establishing a Green Team, composed of stakeholders from the governing body, municipal departments, advisory and decision making boards and committees, residents, and (if appropriate) representatives from local non-profits and community organizations. A Green Team allows the City to plan and implement its Community Energy Plan in an inclusive, open, and strategic manner. It is also beneficial if the Green Team is or works in close collaboration with a non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve for the City a specific level of sustainability, such as Sustainable Jersey Bronze or Silver Certification, or LEED Certified Cities, and which can take active action to promote local sustainability independently (such as outreach actions) and in collaboration with other City agencies. The powers and responsibilities of the Green Team can be determined by the City. SUSTAINABLE JERSEY CERTIFICATION Many of the initiatives described in this CEP correspond with one or more “Actions” toward municipal certification through Sustainable Jersey as a Bronze or Silver community. The Action information sheets on the Sustainable Jersey website provide guidelines for implementing these actions in greater detail than this CEP. LOOKING BEYOND THE TEMPLATE The numbered initiatives explored in this Plan are based on the initiatives identified in the Work Template created jointly by Sustainable Jersey and NJ BPU, and are oriented around the direct relationship between energy end-users and utility providers like PSE&G. There are a variety of actions that municipalities can take to reduce local energy consumption, vehicle- miles-traveled, and greenhouse gas emissions that are not included in this Report, including: ► Zoning ordinances that promote higher density and diverse mix of uses around transit; ► Promoting composting or providing local food and plant waste collection, which reduces methane emissions from decomposing organic waste and can reap local rewards such as generating compost for landscaping or even generating energy through anaerobic digestion processes; ► Enhancing and expanding the urban tree canopy through tree planting programs or zoning standards, which not only helps to improve local air quality by removing pollutants from the air but also helps to reduce building and automobile energy usage by providing shade in the summer and blocking cold winds in the winter; ► Incentivizing new construction to meet green building standards by reducing permitting and review fees for projects that achieve certifications such as Energy Star or LEED; 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 19 STRATEGY 1: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR This strategy is focused on increasing adoption of electric vehicles - not only passenger vehicles, but fleet vehicles as well - and taking other actions that can reduce transportation related energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation makes up 42% of emissions in New Jersey (per the NJ EMP) and 9% of an average household’s budget based on 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, the average annual emissions from driving a BEV 11,579 miles in New Jersey is just 1,636 pounds of CO2 equivalent (lbs CO2e) compared to 12,594 lbs CO2e from a gasoline powered car. New Jersey’s EV CO2e emissions are significantly lower than the national average due to New Jersey’s cleaner electric fuel portfolio. ICE vehicles and HEVs have the same emissions in every state, as gasoline is chemically the same across the United States. While they tend to have a somewhat higher up-front price tag and higher insurance costs, electric vehicles have lower fueling and maintenance costs than ICE vehicles, often resulting in a payback period of about five years for vehicles averaging above 15,000 miles per year when compared to gasoline vehicles in the same class. Municipalities can reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector by electrifying municipal fleets, supporting the adoption of electric and alternative fuel vehicles for residential and non-residential use, and taking actions to increase the availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Union city plans to explore the installation of public EV Charging infrastructure and conduct an outreach campaign to create awareness of the incentives available from the State toward the purchase of electric vehicles for commercial fleets. Union City has already incorporated the Statewide electric vehicle charging station requirement into its municipal code, which requires a portion of the parking from new development or other applicable site improvements to be equipped for electric vehicle charging. The specific Strategy 1 Initiatives to be pursued by the City include the following: ► 1.2 Train First Responders on EVs and EVSE - To further public confidence and maintain emergency preparedness, require training on electric vehicles and associated infrastructure for local first responders. ► 1.3 Train Non-Emergency Staff on EVs and EVSE - Initiate electric vehicle cross-training for non- emergency staff such as code officials, automotive technicians, and electricians. ► 1.4 Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles - Replace existing municipal fleet vehicles with plug-in hybrid, battery electric, or other sustainable alternative fuel vehicles, using fleet analysis to inform purchases. ► 1.5 Improve Municipal Fleet Efficiency - Coordinate the strategic replacement (or retirement) of vehicles, scheduling of preventative maintenance, and improvement of driver efficiency to reduce the GHG footprint of all municipal fleets – public works, police, fire, etc. Requires tracking of fleet data such as age of vehicles, duty cycle, and use patterns. Figure 6. CO2e emissions by vehicle fuel type in New Jersey and Nationally. Source: U.S. Department of Energy. 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 20 ► 1.6 Install Public EV Charging Infrastructure - Install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including chargers, signage, and safety and accessibility features, for public use. ► 1.8 Encourage Workplace EV Charging Infrastructure - Meet with local employers to ask them to install workplace EV charging. If possible, offer incentives such as promotion in municipal communications, a “ribbon cutting” event with public officials, and/or a fast-tracked permitting process. 1.2 & 1.3 TRAIN FIRST RESPONDERS AND NON EMERGENCY STAFF ON EVS AND EVSE Fire suppression methods and other emergency response for electric vehicles and charging equipment differ from those for traditional fuel vehicles. Emergency responders who are not trained in response to EV related emergencies put themselves and those involved in the emergencies at great risk of injury, property damage, or death. The Green Team will work with the Union City Fire Department, the Police Department, and Union City Medical Services to determine if EV/EVSE trainings are already part of their training routines. If not, the Departments will require their staff to complete one or more training courses in emergency response to alternative fuel vehicles on a regular basis as may be needed to maintain certification and remain up to date on best practices. Similar to Emergency Response personnel, the City will require its code enforcement personnel and technical in-house staff and contractors to receive regular training and education on electric vehicles and EVSE. The National Fire Protection Association, the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, and Kean University, and the US Department of Energy’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program are examples of organizations that offer courses for emergency response professionals. 1.4 PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES Replacing older fleet vehicles with newer alternative fuel vehicles can reduce municipal climate impact and costs associated with vehicle upkeep and fueling. The moment that a vehicle no longer serves its purpose or becomes a burden to maintain is a “leverage point” - an opportunity that can be leveraged to make a greater impact - to change energy usage patterns. As of August of 2023, the City’s fleet includes vehicles from the years 1990 to 2023. The oldest vehicle is a medium-duty GMC Topkick truck used by the Sanitation Department having 136,420 miles. The newest vehicle is a 2023 Chevy Malibu used for Senior Services and having 7,448 miles. The most used vehicle is a 2008 Thomas Bus used by the police department and having 323,950 miles. There is no consistent trend between the age of the vehicle or departmental use and the number of miles accumulated. While electrified light-duty vehicles tend to be the most visible, medium and heavy duty vehicles do exist as hybrid vehicles, battery-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Plug-in electric heavy duty vehicles are particularly suitable for electric replacement where the vehicle’s function provides enough downtime between uses to fully charge (such as a street sweeper, refuse truck, or school bus). The typical operations of vehicles like buses and waste collection trucks involve significant stop-and-go movement, which allows them to recharge their batteries every time they stop or slow down, making them ideal for electrification as well. Replace existing municipal fleet vehicles with plug-in hybrid, battery electric, or other sustainable alternative fuel vehicles, using fleet analysis to inform purchases. “Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles” Action “Meet Target for Green Fleets” Action To further public confidence and maintain emergency preparedness, require training on electric vehicles and associated infrastructure for local first responders. Initiate electric vehicle cross-training for non-emergency staff such as code officials, automotive technicians, and electricians. “Make Your Town Electric Vehicle Friendly” Action 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 21 The up-front cost for such vehicles, however, can be substantially more than that of their gasoline or diesel fueled counterparts; therefore, the lifetime costs of the vehicle with respect to maintenance and charging should be taken into consideration. The decision as to which vehicles the City should prioritize for replacement should include the following: ► Current maintenance and fueling costs of existing ICE vehicle - Vehicles with the highest fueling and maintenance costs should among the first targets for comparable EV replacement. Older vehicles typically have the worst fuel efficiency, but may cost little to maintain or use due to infrequent usage; ► Rate of usage - The payback period for an EV (the amount of time it takes for the savings in fuel and maintenance costs to exceed the cost difference between the EV and its internal-combustion equivalent) is highest for vehicles with the highest rate of usage (miles per year). Vehicles that rack up the most miles each year should be among the first targets for comparable EV replacement. ► Type of usage - Vehicles whose daily uses include long idling periods (such as a police car or bus) or frequent stop-and-go patterns (such as a garbage truck or school bus) are great candidates for electric replacement as those use patterns are most wasteful in ICE vehicles; ► Available electrified alternatives - The City should evaluate the costs and reliability of available electric alternatives against newer ICE or HEV models. ► Grid and electric system compatibility - The City should ensure that it is able to install the necessary EVSE at appropriate facilities to charge the EV replacement vehicle to at least 80% charge between uses. ► Plans for On-Site Solar - The City can get the most out of its investment in EVs and in renewable energy if it electrifies fleet vehicles that will be charging at facilities that are targeted for on-site solar installations, as the vehicles could essentially charge for free using energy generated on-site from the solar array. ► Available Funding - The City should put vehicles at the front of the line for replacement if special grants or financing programs are available for the specific vehicle category. This should especially be the case for heavier duty vehicles that have a higher ticket price. The City may find that it is more economically practical to contract with a vehicle conversion professional to convert current fuel-based fleet vehicles to HEV, BEV or PHEV. Such conversions replace or supplement the ICE engine with an battery and/or motor. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AND SAVINGS ► At the time of this writing, the New Jersey Clean Fleet EV Incentive Program through New Jersey Clean Energy offers $4,000 grants toward the purchase of light-duty BEVs, $10,000 for class 2B through 6 BEVs, $5,000 for public level-two chargers and, for overburdened communities, $4,000 for level two fleet vehicle chargers. ► Municipalities can take advantage of tax credits for purchase of electric vehicles either by having the tax credit passed through directly from the vendor or through direct application for reimbursement from the federal government. ► Through the Regional Green House Gas Initiative (RGGI), NJ State agencies will occasionally offer grants for the replacement diesel powered medium and heavy-duty vehicles, such as school buses, garbage trucks, and the like, with electric alternatives. The most application deadline was September 4, 2023. Overburdened communities receive priority in the grant program. The City should continue to monitor for future rounds of this grant program. ► The NJ ZIP program operated through the NJ EDA provides between $20,000 and $175,000 in assistance to acquire a new zero-emission vehicle. Base voucher amounts will depend on vehicle class; however, overburdened communities are eligible for a 10% increase in voucher value, and 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 22 there is a 25% increase available for school buses. Phase 2 (2023) is closed; however, the City should continue to monitor for future phases. ► NJ Municipalities are also eligible for sale tax exemptions for new or used Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) sold, rented or leased in the State. ► Union City can advocate for or join a collaborative of municipalities and agencies in Hudson County to collectively bid for electric vehicles in order to achieve a discounted prices. Incentive programs and mechanisms to reduce the costs of EV acquisition after adoption of this Plan may differ from those listed here. The City will need to assess the usage and maintenance patterns of their vehicles against the available incentive programs to determine which programs offer the greatest payoff. OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES Some of the obstacles and barriers that the City may face in this initiative include: ► Buy-in from fleet drivers (police, fire, etc.) and adapting to the unique driving characteristics of electric vehicles; ► Eligibility of desired vehicles for grants, incentives, or legal obstacles to municipal acquisition; ► Competition for grants and covering municipal portion of costs of acquisition; ► Costs and logistics associated with acquiring or leasing specialized vehicles like fire and garbage trucks; ► Ability to synchronize installation of charging/fueling equipment with acquisition of alternative fuel or electric vehicles. NEXT STEPS 1. The City’s fleet manager, Shawn Thomas, or his designee or successor, will input fleet information into Sustainable Jersey’s Fleet Inventory spreadsheet and use the sheet to track and assess the usage, fueling costs, and emissions from the vehicles in the City’s fleet. Data from this sheet will be used to identify vehicles that are priority for electrification or replacement with other alternative fuel vehicles. 2. The Fleet Manager will coordinate with the City’s Facilities Manager to assess the readiness of municipal garages and vehicle maintenance facilities for EV charging or other alternative fueling capabilities. 3. The Fleet Manager will coordinate with Administration, City Grant Writers, and other City departments and professionals to monitor and apply for grants to replace vehicles most in need of replacement and suitable for electrification. 4. The Fleet Manager will update the fleet inventory on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. Simultaneously, the City will request that its Grant Writer monitor grant opportunities for fleet vehicles on an ongoing basis. Continued monitoring of vehicle usage and grant opportunities, particularly as electric and alternative fuel vehicles are added to the fleet, will allow the City to take the most advantage of grants while improving fleet efficiency 1.5 IMPROVE MUNICIPAL FLEET EFFICIENCY The City can take a number of actions to make its fleet more efficient beyond electrifying its vehicle fleet. These include: ► Idle Reduction Technology - Installing Idle reduction equipment into fleet vehicles that are expected to remain in operation for at least five years. Idle reduction equipment Coordinate the strategic replacement (or retirement) of vehicles, scheduling of preventative maintenance, and improvement of driver efficiency to reduce the GHG footprint of all municipal fleets – public works, police, fire, etc. Requires tracking of fleet data such as age of vehicles, duty cycle, and use patterns. 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 23 temporary shuts off a vehicle’s engine while idling while powering electronic devices like air conditioning and audio at full or reduced performance on battery power. An “Idling Reduction Savings Calculator” worksheet is included in the appendices to this Plan. ; ► Behavior Changes - Training or educating police, public works, and other municipal personnel on efficient driving and idling practices; ► Low Rolling Resistance Tires - According to the US Department of Energy, “Rolling resistance is the energy lost from drag and friction of a tire rolling over a surface. The phenomenon is complex, and nearly all operating conditions can affect the final outcome. Conventionally fueled passenger vehicles use about 4%– 11% of their fuel just to overcome tire rolling resistance. All-electric passenger vehicles can use approximately 25% of their energy for this purpose. For heavy trucks, this quantity can be as high as 30%–33%. A 10% reduction in rolling resistance would improve fuel economy approximately 3% for light- and heavy-duty vehicles. Installing low rolling resistance tires can help fleets reduce fuel costs. It’s also important to ensure proper tire inflation.” Establishing a City-wide policy to only replace fleet vehicle tires with low rolling resistance tires can help to reduce fuel consumption for medium and heavy-duty internal combustion vehicles. ► Speed Control Modules - Contract with an appropriate vendor to set speed limits on non-emergency vehicles to prevent vehicles from driving inefficiently. According to the US Department of Energy, every 5 MPH over 50 MPH on a light duty vehicle equates to costing an additional $0.25 per gallon of fuel. That amount varies by vehicle type and age. ► Select Smaller Vehicles Where Available - Lighter weight vehicles use less fuel and can often meet the same needs as their larger counterparts (consider, for example, a Ford Escape instead of the larger Ford Explorer). OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES The most significant obstacle to making the City’s fleet more efficient through interventions such as those listed above will be buy-in from Department Heads or fleet drivers. Other obstacles will include supply chain issues and related barriers to acquiring efficiency-improving equipment. NEXT STEPS 1. The Green Team will coordinate with relevant department heads to identify relevant fuel saving options Note 1. Idle Reduction Types University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, identifies these types of IRT: • Idle Limiter – The simplest form of IRT, this mechanism turns a vehicle’s engine off after it has been idling for a predetermined period of time. • Electronic Stop/Start System – An electronic device that monitors vehicle battery levels while the engine is off, but appliances are in use. Once battery levels drop below a certain point, the device turns the engine on for a set amount of time to recharge the battery, and then turns the engine off again. • Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) – A small secondary power source that allows a vehicle’s electronic appliances to be used when the primary engine is not running. APUs can be powered using the vehicle’s main fuel supply, a small separate fuel tank, alternative fuel, rechargeable batteries, or rooftop solar panels. • Fuel Operated Heater (FOH) and Battery Air Conditioning System (BAC) – Small independent heating and cooling systems. FOHs can operate on a range of fuels, including gas, diesel, and alternative fuels. BACs are powered with rechargeable batteries, which can be charged by the engine while it is running, or by rooftop solar panels. These two systems are frequently utilized together. • Plug-in Hybrid Systems – Rechargeable battery systems can be installed to run power take-offs, bucket truck lifts, dump truck hydraulics and other truck equipment, even when the engine is off.” “Fleet Inventory” Action 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 24 (strategies, technology) for those departments; 2. Department heads will update their policies where possible to promote fuel saving practices; 3. The Green Team will create educational materials for distribution to fleet-operating personnel and display in City offices to promote efficient driving and vehicle maintenance practices. 4. The Fleet Manager will help department heads identify opportunities to upgrade existing vehicles with fuel saving technologies or accessories where direct vehicle replacement is not immediately practical. 1.6 INSTALL PUBLIC EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE The City’s Parking Authority owns 11 parking lots and decks for public use. According to statewide alternative fueling area data and private EV Charging locating service, ChargePoint, there are no public electric vehicle chargers within Union City at this time (See “Map 5. Alternative Fueling Stations Near Union City” on page 17). In 2022 the City received two grants from the State’s EV Tourism and It Pay$ to Plug In grant programs totaling $192,000. Of that, $150,000 was for the installation of a DC Fast Charging station, the fastest type of charger currently available. TYPES OF EVSE The type of EVSE to be installed will depend on the fleet’s needs and the current and potential capability of the site’s electrical systems. There are three basic categories of EVSE based on the maximum amount of power the charger provides to the battery. See “Note 2. Typical EVSE Charger Levels” on page 24. Level 1 chargers can charge 16 to 40 miles of driving in an 8-hour work day based on the 2 to 5 miles of range per hour stated in the previous section, and even for fleet vehicles with substantial downtime between uses. From a public use perspective, these are ideal in public lots used by rail commuters or local workers who will park their vehicles in those lots for at least 6 hours. Level 2 and DCFC chargers are ideal for vehicles that drive many miles per day and/or have minimal downtime between uses, such as emergency vehicles or public users who are charging their vehicles while shopping, dining, or using a public or private service. Public charging stations with DCFC or Level 2 charging should be located in public areas where EV users are likely to leave their vehicles for at least 30 minutes. These include municipal lots near shopping areas, City Hall, or religious uses, or installation associated with on-street parking. See Map 6 on page 25 identifies the neighborhoods rated to be most suitable for Fast Charging in Union City by MJ Bradley and Associates. Note 2. Typical EVSE Charger Levels As summarized by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission: • “Level 1: Provides charging through a 120 V AC plug and does not require installation of additional charging equipment. Can deliver 2 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging. Most often used in homes, but sometimes used at workplaces. Level 1 charging at home or work may be able to provide adequate charging for most commuters. • Level 2: Provides charging through a 240 V (for residential) or 208 V (for commercial) plug and requires installation of additional charging equipment. Level 2 can deliver 10 to 20 miles of range per hour of charging. Used in homes, workplaces, and for public charging. • DC Fast Charging (DCFC): Provides charging through 480 V AC input and requires highly specialized, high- powered equipment as well as special equipment in the vehicle itself. DCFC can deliver 60 to 80 miles of range in 20 minutes of charging. Used most often in public charging stations, especially along long- distance traffic corridors. The cost for DCFC generally makes it too expensive for everyday use. Note that if you think you may need to use DCFC, be sure that the vehicle you purchase has fast charging provisions installed. For some vehicles this is an option. For the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt, this option has an MSRP of $750. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles typically do not have fast charging capabilities.” Install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including chargers, signage, and safety and accessibility features, for public use. “Public Electric Vehicle Charging” Action 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 25 NETWORKED VERSUS NON-NETWORKED CHARGERS In addition to the power level categories, EVSE come in “networked” and “non- networked” formats. Networked EVSE have a higher up-front cost and costs for the benefit of being connected to a telecommunications network, but also provide benefits such as being able to levy a fee for charging or monitor charging activity. Non-networked chargers might also accept payment through credit cards and other traditional forms of payment; however, this must be assessed on a case by case basis. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AND SAVINGS At the time of this writing, the New Jersey Clean Fleet EV Incentive Program through New Jersey Clean Energy offers $4,000 grants toward the purchase of fleet Level 2 EV Charging Stations and $5,000 grants toward public Level 2 EV Chargers, with a limit of 2 charging stations in a grant period for areas with populations of less than 20,000 persons. Up to $50,000 may also be available for one DCFC charging stations. Overburdened municipalities like Union City are eligible for an additional 50% bonus to be provided in the form of either additional funding or additional eligible chargers. The City may also be eligible for additional rebates from PSE&G for DCFC infrastructure installation. EV charging equipment is also eligible for a 30% tax credit (Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit), further reducing the costs to the City. Incentive and other cost-saving programs may change after adoption of this Plan. OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES The first challenge faced by a municipality looking to install fleet or public charging stations is identifying the locations where chargers will be most convenient and cost effective based on costs to install and power the equipment and proximity to places that EV drivers will likely visit. The second is determining the most efficient and reliable form of ownership - whether the equipment will be the City’s responsibility or that of a third party. After installation, the challenges include possibility of vandalism or misuse requiring repairs and maintenance, and monitoring for potential issues and to measure performance. NEXT STEPS 1. The City will direct its Planning and Engineering professionals to conduct feasibility studies to identify municipal facilities or City-owned rights-of-way where public EV charging equipment may be most impactful, including parking lots near busy shopping areas and places of employment, lots that provide overnight parking for apartment dwellers, municipal facilities where visitors are likely to stay for 30 minutes or longer (libraries, courts, etc.), and other areas. The City will also refer to the NJDEP’s DC Fast Charging Map 6. NJ DEP’s Community Fast Charger Solicitation Map Tool for Union City. Highest scoring areas for suitability are in darker purple, scoring as much as 90 out 100 for suitability for Fast Charging stations. Figure 7. NJDEP’s 2023 Level 2 Charging Incentive Comparison Table, last updated January 2023 1 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 26 Suitability Map to pinpoint neighborhoods where DCFC pays off the most. 2. The Facilities Manager will assess the readiness of public lots for EVSE; 3. The City will instruct Grant Writers to pursue grants for EVSE for installation in areas identified in the feasibility study; 4. The Green Team will take action to educate the public about the benefits of Public EV, dispel myths about their harms, and hold ground breaking with City officials for the first public EV stations; 5. Following installation, the City should monitor usage of the EV charging facilities to assess the success of the initial installation and determine the most effective strategies for future installations; 6. Additional grant opportunities will be monitored and pursued accordingly. 1.8 ENCOURAGE WORKPLACE EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE One of the best ways to increase the availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the City is to reach out to the owners and operators of the buildings where people work in the City. New multi-family residential buildings and commercial buildings are required by statute to provide EV or EV-ready parking spaces. However, the City can use its influence to encourage business owners and commercial property owners to voluntarily provide EV charing infrastructure for their employees. OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES Property owners and managers often do not understand the benefits of providing EVSE, or the financing programs available to make them more affordable. Additionally, many businesses in urban settings are renting their facilities and have limited influence or decision making when it comes to making facilities improvements. Ownership structures of commercial buildings may also result in complex chains of command and communication that limit the success of outreach initiatives. STRATEGIES AND NEXT STEPS 1. The City’s Green Team will create promotional materials, including inserts to provide with utility bills and tax mailers to commercial property owners/managers, advertising the financial incentives for EVSE on commercial properties and the benefits of having EV parking spaces, and offering a promotional opportunity, such as a ribbon cutting with a City official and publication on the City’s website and social media pages. 2. The Green Team will partner with the Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations to identify opportunities to communicate directly to businesses and commercial property owners on this initiative. 3. The City will also instruct its Grant Writers to monitor grant opportunities that encourage partnerships between municipal governments and private property owners to install EVSE on private properties. Meet with local employers to ask them to install workplace EV charging. If possible, offer incentives such as promotion in municipal communications, a “ribbon cutting” event with public officials, and/or a fast-tracked permitting process. “Make Your Town EV Friendly” Action “Electric Vehicle Outreach” Action 2 • ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 27 STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES The goal of Strategy 2 is to expand the adoption of solar-generated electricity and other forms of micro- generation by the City and by City residents and businesses. Actions include adopting ordinances to remove barriers to private and community solar projects, installing solar energy systems on City properties, and reducing obstacles to accessing clean energy, particularly among the City’s LMI residents. A core component of the success of Strategy 2 is a type of program called community solar. Solar energy installations come in a few different forms. Private solar, such as rooftop panels installed on a home or a warehouse, provide on-site electricity and sell whatever is left over to the grid, providing a credit on the property-owner’s utility bill. Utility providers, such as PSE&G, can also install solar energy systems which contribute to the total grid electric production. Community solar is a system in which a property owner can develop solar energy infrastructure on their property, or lease land or roof area to another party to develop the infrastructure, and allow residents and businesses to subscribe to a portion of the energy generated, which is credited to their utility bill proportionate to the amount of solar energy that they have subscribed to. The specific Strategy 2 Initiatives to be pursued by the City include the following: ► 2.1 Adopt Supportive Zoning and Permitting for Private Solar - Provide clear guidance/standards for solar developers and limit barriers to solar adoption such as lengthy permitting and multiple reviews. ► 2.3 Adopt Zoning and Permitting for Community Solar - Update municipal zoning ordinances to specifically allow large-scale solar projects, and designate future community solar sites as redevelopment zones. Consider offering direct assistance with permitting, expediting the permitting process, and/or reducing permitting fees for community solar. ► 2.5 Train Non-Emergency Staff on Solar - To ensure municipal staff can efficiently and effectively inspect, review, permit, etc. solar installations in the community, require training on solar infrastructure for all relevant staff. ► 2.6 Install On-Site Municipal Renewable Generation - Host a solar, wind, or geothermal project on municipal property to generate renewable energy for municipal facilities. Such projects can be leased from a developer or purchased and owned outright. ► 2.13 Host a Community Solar Project on Municipal Property - Host a community solar project on municipal property, such as a DPW garage, parking lot/garage, or landfill. Most municipalities lease the site to the developer or enter a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the developer to buy the electricity at a reduced rate. 2.1 ADOPT SUPPORTIVE ZONING AND PERMITTING FOR PRIVATE SOLAR The City will ensure that private solar is clearly permitted as an accessory use in the City, and limit regulatory language to reduce unnecessary barriers like added costs and outdated technological standards. A supportive zoning ordinance for private solar infrastructure will establish only the minimum necessary standards to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Sustainable Jersey publishes a document entitled “Guidance for Creating a Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance” which outlines the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of drafting ordinances surrounding solar. Some of key takeaways of this are: ► The ordinance should avoid setting standards or definitions specifying types of technology, models, standards, or electrical sizes as they may become outdated or may not be applicable to all situations; “Make Your Town Solar Friendly” Action Provide clear guidance/standards for solar developers and limit barriers to solar adoption such as lengthy permitting and multiple reviews. 2 • ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 28 ► The ordinance should not be overly burdensome, such as requiring site plan approval for all solar equipment. For example, solar facilities should not be conditional uses. ► Permitting fees for solar installations should be minimal and should not exceed fees established in N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.20(c)2.iii(13). ► The guide includes ordinance-friendly definitions which Sustainable Jersey believes will minimize confusion or obstructions to solar proliferation. ► To the extent that the ordinance provides standards for solar facilities, the standards should be distinct for ground-mounted / freestanding versus roof-mounted equipment. ► Avoid abstract language regulating the visual impact of solar on a neighborhood. The above referenced guidance document is contained in the appendices to this Plan. Adopting a solar supportive ordinance is a quick, low-cost action that the City can take shortly after the adoption of this plan. OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES The City should anticipate that members of the public may have concerns about the appearance of solar panels and their related equipment. NEXT STEPS 1. The City will authorize its Planner to review the City’s Master Plan to ensure that the Plan does not contain language which would discourage solar installations, and to draft an ordinance permitting private solar based on the guidelines from Sustainable Jersey and its sources. 2. The solar permitting ordinance will be reviewed by the Planning Board for Master Plan consistency, and then referred back to the Mayor and Council for adoption. 3. Staff, Boards, and outside professionals to enforce ordinance. 2.3 ADOPT ZONING AND PERMITTING FOR COMMUNITY SOLAR This initiative is similar to the prior two and, in fact, may be adopted simultaneously with the general solar permitting ordinance and checklist. Zoning and permitting for community solar differs from those for solar mounted on private properties for private purposes in a few ways: ► Private solar projects are developed at the scale needed to offset electric demand on that property, whereas community solar projects are developed at a scale to offset electric demand for multiple properties; ► Private solar is an accessory use to a residence or business whereas community solar may be seen as a principal use in that it is used to generate revenues for the property owner or lessee of the solar- mounting surface. The principles for adopting solar friendly zoning and permitting are generally the same for community solar as for private solar – avoid language that may become obsolescent as technology changes and avoid creating unnecessary standards or permitting steps. Because community solar takes place at a larger scale than private solar (typically), and because there is an incentive by the developer to maximize that scale to serve more customers, it may be appropriate for the City to establish separate and more stringent regulations for community solar projects than for private “Municipally Supported Community Solar” Action Update municipal zoning ordinances to specifically allow large-scale solar projects, and designate future community solar sites as redevelopment zones. Consider offering direct assistance with permitting, expediting the permitting process, and/or reducing permitting fees for community solar. 2 • ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 29 solar installations; primarily setback limits to residential properties, screening, and security. Going beyond simply zoning to allow large-scale solar installations, the City can maximize the benefits of community solar on private properties by permitting community solar installations as a principal use in a designated redevelopment or rehabilitation area, as the development experiences a lessened tax burden through a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) or a 5-year tax abatement, which can then be passed through to customers. OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES The ordinance permitting community solar installations may need to reconcile any public concerns or perceptions of large-scale solar installation, such as through appropriate setbacks or screening requirements. NEXT STEPS 1. The City will authorize its planning consultant to amend the City’s zoning ordinance to permit large- scale solar arrays as a principal permitted or conditional use on private properties. 2. The permitting ordinance will be duly reviewed, adopted, and enforced by the relevant governing bodies, boards, staff, and professionals. Due to the densely developed nature of the City, any private community solar projects outside of any existing vacant land or proposed redevelopment areas would be limited to commercial or industrial rooftops and/or large, open parking lots and parking structures. The City should conduct outreach to the owners of the properties identified above to secure partners them as partners in the creation of community solar installations in the City. 2.5 TRAIN NON-EMERGENCY STAFF ON SOLAR The City’s personnel responsible for inspecting and permitting solar installations may not be familiar with solar energy systems. The City will require training for these staff on how to address this technology, in order to ensure the safety of City residents and workers. Such training programs are offered by a number of institutions for use by municipal staff in various roles. Sustainable Jersey identifies three providers for training courses for municipalities to consider: ► Kean University’s Fire Safety Training Program; ► US Department of Energy associated SolSmart, which provides webinars and virtual training resources; ► IREC’s Clean Energy Resources and Training, which provides webinars and virtual training resources. OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES Department heads will need to identify the training program more appropriate to their needs. NEXT STEPS ► Department heads will require their staff to complete relevant training courses once every one to three years. ► The Green Team or City Administrator will work with those department heads to identify the most appropriate training program for their needs and capabilities. To ensure municipal staff can efficiently and effectively inspect, review, permit, etc. solar installations in the community, require training on solar infrastructure for all relevant staff. “Make Your Town Solar Friendly” Action 2 • ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 30 2.6 INSTALL ON-SITE MUNICIPAL RENEWABLE GENERATION / 2.13 HOST A COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECT ON MUNICIPAL PROPERTY MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES The City and its various departments and sub- governmental organizations, including its Housing Authority and Parking Authority, own a number of buildings across the City. These include public housing facilities, public parking decks/lots, community facilities, administrative office facilities, and more. Some of these buildings may be suitable for front- or- back-of the meter solar installations - that is, it may be more economical on some buildings to lease roof space to a solar developer that sells electricity back to the system (such as a community solar operator) and in others it may be more economical for the system to offset energy use on-site. MODES OF OWNERSHIP The following is taken from Sustainable Jersey’s “Municipal On Site Solar System” action guide: ► Municipally Owned Solar PV Systems: When a municipality purchases solar photovoltaic equipment outright, the project is no different than any other larger capital improvement project. This approach usually offers a better return on investment than financing the project with a lease or other arrangement. However, outright solar PV purchases present multiple challenges: acquiring immediate capital to cover upfront costs; managing procurement, permitting, and installation; and maintaining the system over time. The municipality is also tasked with capturing all available revenue from the project, which includes displaced utility purchase value and revenue from the sale of the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). See ”Note 3. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)” on page 30. ► Financed Solar PV Systems: Commercial financing products are a popular approach to implementing municipal on-site solar projects. ► Leased Systems: Under a leasing arrangement, the municipality pays a monthly leasing fee over a specific term to use the electricity generated by the panels, which are owned by a third party. With a PPA, the municipality contracts to purchase all the electricity that the (third party-owned) system produces at a known price for a fixed term. In both arrangements, there is typically an end-of-term buyout option and a robust maintenance agreement over the term. Energy consultants can help scope out the financing opportunities for a project. Some energy consultants structure their fees to be included in the project financing, allowing the municipality to avoid the fees as upfront cost.” It should be noted that the language above was written prior to the passing of the Inflation Reduction “Municipal On-Site Solar System” Action “Municipally Supported Community Solar” Action Host a solar, wind, or geothermal project on municipal property to generate renewable energy for municipal facilities. Such projects can be leased from a developer or purchased and owned outright. Host a community solar project on municipal property, such as a DPW garage, parking lot/garage, or landfill. Most municipalities lease the site to the developer or enter a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the developer to buy the electricity at a reduced rate. Note 3. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Vouchers of monetary value representing a megawatt- hour (MWh) of renewable electricity generation. In New Jersey, RECs acquired from solar installations are known as Solar Renewable Energy Certificates or “SRECs.” As directed by the Clean Energy Act of 2018, New Jersey’s original SREC Program was closed in 2020 and replaced with the Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program that launched in mid-2021, which awards “SREC-IIs” for solar energy generation. Projects under 5 MW receive SREC-IIs via the Administratively Determined Incentive (ADI) Program. More information on SRECs, including the latest details on the SuSI Program, can be found at NJCleanEnergy.com/RE. 2 • ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 31 Act by the federal government in 2022, which allowed municipalities to directly receive the same benefits as the federal tax credit to private citizens and businesses through the “direct pay” model. This model makes ownership of a municipal renewable energy project a competitive alternative to leasing or PPAs. COMMUNITY SOLAR VERSUS ON-SITE GENERATION With on-site generation of energy from a solar project on a City property, the City can directly utilize the energy generated from the installation, allowing it municipal operations to continue during power outages, while also generating revenues from the sale of RECs. With a community solar installation on municipal property, however, the community solar provider owns and maintains the solar equipment, and electricity is sold directly to the grid. The benefits to the City through this model include lease payments from the community solar provider to the City, discounts to the City if it signs up as the anchor subscriber, and limited up-front costs to the City. Based on discussions with a community solar provider, the minimum size for a successful community solar project is 30,000 to 50,000 square feet. According to NJDEP building coverage data, the only publicly owned buildings with a roof area greater than one-acre are school buildings. Sustainable Jersey provides guidelines for the process of launching a Community Solar program and the time frame thereof: 1. Planning: The process of forming a committee, hosting public meetings and stakeholder meetings, and determining the priorities and goals of the project – whether that may be generating revenue from municipal properties, providing low cost energy to LMI households, or something else – may take several weeks. 2. Public Education and User Interface: Educating the public about the program and creating the means for residents and businesses to sign up to participate could take 4 to 6 months. 3. Selecting a Vendor/Partner: The bidding, selection, and/or on-boarding process could take 2 to 3 months or longer. LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME INCLUSION The NJ BPU requires all community solar projects to reserve 51% or more of their capacity for low- and moderate-income subscribers and to guarantee an energy bill credit discount of at least 15%, meaning that the energy purchased by a subscriber from a community solar project will cost 15% less than what it might have cost through the utility provider. Figure 9. How Community Solar Works; Credit: Neighborhoodpower.com. Community solar extends the benefit of solar energy to people who may not be in a position to install their own systems, like renters and houses that receive a lot of shade. Figure 8. Screenshot of Google Project Sunroof data for City Hall. At an average of 14.2 Watts/square foot, Googles estimated 10,430 square feet of usable roof area could support a 148.2 kW system. At 1,435 hours of sunlight a year that system could generate 212,667 kWh/year or an average of 17,722.25 per month. 2 • ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 32 NEXT STEPS 1. The City will contract a qualified professional or firm to conduct a Solar Feasibility Study(ies) to determine whether one or more municipal buildings are suitable for rooftop solar, to assess economic benefits of solar against the costs to the City, to advise which buildings are suitable for Community Solar, and to identify incentives available to reduce the costs to the City related to installation for behind-the-meter use. 2. Based upon the study outcomes, the City will begin the process of either installing solar on select buildings for behind-the-meter use or partnering with Community Solar providers to host projects on municipal properties. a. For behind the meter installations, the City will conduct a bidding process to select installers to erect and maintain the system and manage sale of renewable energy certificates. b. For Community Solar projects, the City will conduct a bidding process to select a community solar provider. 3. Where appropriate, the City will authorize its planning professional to conduct redevelopment investigations of municipally owned properties to be considered for community solar in order to determine if those properties are eligible for designation as an area in need of redevelopment and to adopt a redevelopment plan permitting community solar and granting incentives for community solar development, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq. 3 • MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 33 STRATEGY 3: MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION AND REDUCE PEAK DEMAND The goal of Strategy 3 is to take actions within the City’s power to reduce energy usage by the municipality, residents and businesses. As technology advances, appliances, equipment, and construction materials become more energy efficient. The City can take direct action to upgrade its own facilities, and can launch public outreach initiatives to make the public aware of services and resources available from the state and from PSE&G to offset the costs of improving building energy efficiency. ► 3.1 Upgrade Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities - Upgrade municipal facilities to be more energy efficient. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and electric and natural gas utilities offers incentive programs that guide municipalities through the upgrade process, starting with free audits to establish the most effective measures to reduce energy use. Following implementation, showcase upgrades in energy efficiency outreach to local commercial entities. ► 3.3 Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign - Implement an outreach effort to help local businesses take advantage of energy efficiency incentive programs offered by New Jersey’s electric and natural gas utilities, including the Direct Install (DI) program. 3.1 UPGRADE ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR MUNICIPAL FACILITIES An important piece of the City’s energy strategy is reducing the its energy consumption by replacing inefficient equipment, fixtures, and appliances and identify areas where energy is being wasted due to outdated building design or improper building maintenance. The City desires to achieve a 20% reduction in energy consumption from its most energy-demanding facility or 20% across all of its facilities. INCENTIVES AND FUNDING PROGRAMS LGEA The New Jersey BPU’s Clean Energy Program’s (NJCEP) Local Government Energy Audit (LGEA) program covers 100% of the cost of an audit of a municipality’s building energy use, including “offices, courtrooms, town halls, police and fire stations, sanitation buildings, transportation structures, schools and community centers”. Buildings must have had an average peak demand of 200kW or greater in the past 12 months. According to the website for the LGEA program, “The audit includes an inventory of all energy-consuming equipment, comprehensive utility bill analysis, facility benchmarking, and a screening for solar, combined heat & power, and electric vehicle charging stations. Add-on / targeted audit options as outlined in the program guide may also be available. When your audit is complete, you’ll have a list of recommended, cost-justified measures and facility upgrades that will Upgrade municipal facilities to be more energy efficient. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and electric and natural gas utilities offers incentive programs that guide municipalities through the upgrade process, starting with free audits to establish the most effective measures to reduce energy use. Following implementation, showcase upgrades in energy efficiency outreach to local commercial entities. Note 4. Energy Upgrade Types • Direct Install - Provides turnkey energy efficiency solutions for small commercial customers, including local government facilities for municipalities and schools. Includes a free on-site energy assessment (similar to an ASHRAE Level l audit), energy efficiency upgrade recommendations, and an incentive of up to 80% of installed cost for completing those recommendations. • Prescriptive Equipment - Offers simple rebates on a wide range of pre-qualified “standard” energy efficiency measures. • Custom Equipment - Offers incentives for energy efficiency measures that do not fall under the Prescriptive Program. • Engineered Solutions - Provides tailored energy efficiency assistance to larger public entities. Includes an investment grade (ASHRAE Level 3) energy audit, engineering design, bid-ready document development, installation vendor selection assistance, construction administration, commissioning, and 3 • MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 34 help reduce operating expenses and, in many cases, improve the health and productivity of the buildings’ occupants.” LGEA caps the audit cost reimbursement at the lesser of $100,000 or 100% of the audit. LGEA offers technical assistance to program participants to obtain older utility bills and to interpret utility bills as part of the audit process. LGEA audits are available for buildings owned or leased by the City. An example of an audit report published on the LGEA web page is the Asbury Park municipal complex audit report, prepared by TRC, which provided the City of Asbury Park with two alternative scenarios for upgrading their facilities to reduce energy costs based on the time period for savings to be realized. It also identifies potential project financing incentives for suggested energy upgrades. ESIP The Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) is an alternative method for local government units to finance energy conservation improvements, adopted by the State legislature in 2009 and amended in 2012. The program does not “fund” energy improvements; rather, it makes it helps municipalities realize cost savings from efficiency improvements, at no cost to the taxpayer, by paying or the cost of the improvement over a 15 to 20 year period through a portion of the energy-cost savings. The first step in the ESIP process is an energy audit, such as the ones reimbursed through LGEA. Subsequently, the municipality must prepare an Energy Savings Plan (ESP) that identifies existing systems serving the targeted buildings, such as boilers, HVAC, and appliances, and lays out direct energy saving strategies related to those systems. The ESP must show that the energy savings over the 15 to 20 year period will offset or exceed the total project costs. This process ensures that the municipality can finance the project(s) through just the energy savings. DIRECT INSTALL If buildings are not eligible for LGEA or ESIP, the City can apply to the Direct Install program provided by PSE&G for buildings with an average peak demand of less than 200kW over a 12 month period. The program includes a free on-site energy audit and covers up to 80% of the costs of installing more energy efficient systems. The municipality’s burden of the cost (as little as 20%) is paid off over 5 years as a fee on the municipality’s energy bill. Meanwhile, the program promises to cut energy costs by as much as 30%. See “Note 4. Energy Upgrade Types” on page 33. MONITORING ENERGY USE An essential part of the energy efficiency process is benchmarking - collecting and analyzing data on the energy usage in each building and comparing to buildings in similar categories in order to identify facilities that might be more wasteful than others. In the Fall of 2023, Sustainable Jersey and PSE&G offered a Technical Assistance program to assist municipalities in tracking building energy efficiency and pursue incentives for facility upgrades. The program also offers to set municipalities up with building portfolio management software to monitor energy use. The program also offers $2,500 to assist with the municipal responsibilities related to this assistance, such as costs for staff or professionals to collect the requisite data for building energy monitoring. Sustainable Jersey anticipates future rounds for this program. BARRIERS AND OBSTACLES The City owns a number of facilities and consequently bills are agglomerated into a Master Account that reflects energy use and costs on a system wide basis, making it difficult to assess energy usage on a maintenance and verification services to support the implementation of cost-effective and comprehensive efficiency projects. • Energy Management - Helps identify and implement no and low-cost energy efficiency measures via equipment tune-ups and commissioning. “Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities” Action 3 • MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 35 building-by-building basis. The City would need to work with PSE&G to establish a system by which the City can review individual buildings’ energy use patterns and request building-specific data while also having a streamlined system for paying the energy bills for such a widespread system. NEXT STEPS 1. The City will seek technical and grant assistance from Sustainable Jersey to assemble energy usage data necessary to monitor energy usage; 2. Regardless of the City’s ability to obtain the technical assistance, the City’s administration and finance departments will instruct staff to coordinate with PSE&G or to make it feasible to track energy use on a building-by-building basis, and direct the City’s Facilities Manager, CFO, or other party designated by the Administrator to use the data collected to establish a building portfolio management account; 3. CFO or other designee will utilize the portfolio management software on a monthly basis to identify buildings that are under-performing with respect to energy efficiency; 4. The CFO or other designee will review the requirements of the LGEA, ESIP, and Direct Install programs to determine eligibility for worst performing buildings; 5. The City will retain an energy auditor through an RFP process or, in the case of Direct Install, use PSE&G’s selected auditor; 6. City will implement most applicable and cost effective recommendations of the energy auditor. 3.3 COMMERCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY OUTREACH CAMPAIGN Commercial users consumed just over 50% of all electricity and natural gas purchased in Union City in 2020. Encouraging businesses to make improvements that reduce their energy usage is, therefore, one of the most effective actions the City can take to reduce local energy consumption. The City will take the following actions with a goal of encouraging 5% of commercial property owners to make energy efficient upgrades to their properties: The City will use available outreach tools to encourage its businesses to participate in PSE&G’s Direct Install program. As described in relation to municipal properties, above, the Direct Install program assists businesses to assess opportunities to reduce energy use by as much as 30%, and covers up to 80% of the costs of energy improvements up front, while allowing the business to pay off its own share of the cost of improvements interest free over 5 years through a fee added to their energy bill. In the Fall of 2023, Sustainable Jersey and PSE&G ran a grant and technical assistance program through which Sustainable Jersey will take the lead on commercial outreach actions and provide funding (competitive) to compensate the City for resources expended to implement the commercial outreach campaign. NEXT STEPS The City will take the following steps as part of this initiative: 1. The City will apply for technical assistance and outreach campaign grant funding from Sustainable Jersey to facilitate and expedite the creation of a commercial outreach campaign. 2. The Green Team will assist Sustainable Jersey as appropriate or take the lead to generate outreach materials advertising energy efficiency incentive programs to business owners and commercial property owners in various languages; 3. Materials to be distributed in regular mailers, posted on City website and social pages, announced during public hearings. Implement an outreach effort to help local businesses take advantage of energy efficiency incentive programs offered by New Jersey’s electric and natural gas utilities, including the Direct Install (DI) program. “Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach” Action 3 • MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 36 4. The Green Team will coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and other local groups to identify opportunities to promote energy efficiency to local businesses and commercial property owners. 5. The City will utilize an incentive to encourage business owners who are motivated by the City’s outreach campaign to notify the City that they’ve taken advantage of energy efficiency incentives, to help the City track the success of its campaign and analyze strategic effectiveness. 4 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 37 STRATEGY 4: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR New construction projects are opportunities for municipalities to set a trend moving forward for environmentally responsible, high-quality buildings that meet green building standards. Green buildings provide a number of benefits to the community, to the developer, to the operator, and to the occupants of the buildings. They demand less of the community’s resources, place lesser burdens on community infrastructure, have lower long term operating and maintenance costs, and provide healthier and more productive living and working spaces than buildings that do not meet green building standards. Union City will take the following actions to encouraging green building practices in the City: ► 4.2 Encourage Benchmarking and Commissioning for Existing Buildings - Educate local building managers about benchmarking and commissioning. Inform building managers of utility building management programs that include benchmarking and/or commissioning. ► 4.3 Require Developers to Complete Green Development Checklist - Pass a Green Building Policy or Resolution that requires developers to submit a completed Green Development Checklist with Site Plan Applications. Checklist should refer developers to NJCEP’s Commercial and Residential New Construction Energy Efficiency programs. ► 4.4 Conduct Outreach Targeting New Construction in the Community - Reach out to developers to encourage participation in NJCEP’s Commercial and Residential New Construction Energy Efficiency programs. 4.2 ENCOURAGE BENCHMARKING AND COMMISSIONING FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS Benchmarking and commissioning are practices for ensuring that building systems are performing as intended and to compare building performance (e.g., energy usage, water usage, indoor air quality) to that of its peers. Systems that are under performing waste money and fail to create optimal interior environments for living and working. Additionally, being able to compare energy use to comparable buildings helps raise awareness for property managers about areas of waste. NEXT STEPS 1. The Green Team will craft and/or assemble educational materials about commissioning and benchmarking for placement on the City’s website, inclusion with building department forms and mailers that typically go to property managers and building owners. Materials will include brochures for PSE&G’s Retro-Commissioning program, Strategic Energy Management program, NJCEP’s Benchmarking service, and other programs advertised through the Commercial Outreach initiative. 2. The Green Team will also provide a link or QR code on distributed materials to the NJ BPU’s list of “Trade Allies” providing Commissioning Services, to assist property owners in identifying potential vendors. 3. The Green Team and the City will also seek out grants and technical assistance from Sustainable Jersey, PSE&G, and other providers to increase the reach of its outreach campaigns. 4.3 REQUIRE DEVELOPERS TO COMPLETE GREEN DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST A development checklist does not have the same regulatory impact as an ordinance; however, by requiring a developer to disclose the environmental Pass a Green Building Policy or Resolution that requires developers to submit a completed Green Development Checklist with Site Plan Applications. Checklist should refer developers to NJCEP’s Commercial and Residential New Construction Energy Efficiency programs. Educate local building managers about benchmarking and commissioning. Inform building managers of utility building management programs that include benchmarking and/or commissioning. “Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach” Action 4 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 38 impact of a development, the City can motivate the developer to take steps to improve the project’s green profile. Sustainable Jersey publishes a sample green building checklist which the City will use as the basis for drafting its own checklist. Some of the items in the checklist include, but are not limited to: ► Whether the project is on a brownfield; ► The proximity of the project to public transit and/ or complete streets; ► Whether the project preserves or adaptively reuses existing or historical buildings; ► Impact of the project on stormwater; ► Provision of amenities like open space, conservation or restoration of environmental features, inclusionary set-asides, facilitating local agriculture (farmers market space), compact and efficient vehicle parking spaces, commuter shuttles, bike parking facilities, and the like. ► Use of low-impact design features like bio-swales, green walls, pervious pavement, and the like; ► Use of recycled building materials; and ► Use of energy efficient equipment/appliances, on-site generation, water efficiency or reuse, use of natural air and light. The sample checklist, along with a sample green building resolution, are contained within the appendices to this Plan. NEXT STEPS 1. The City will authorize its Planner to review with the Building Department and engineering consultant the sample checklist and sample resolution contained within this plan as well as other example checklists and resolutions and draft checklists and resolutions that meet the City’s needs; 2. The City will adopt an ordinance requiring completion of the checklist with any development application for major new development. a. The City will make reasonable exceptions with respect to the size and type of development to ensure it does not impact homeowners repairing, renovating, or making modest expansions to their homes. b. The City will build upon the sample checklist to incorporate initiatives required for certification under Note 5. Benefits of a Green Building Policy (Sustainable Jersey) • Owners of older homes are particularly vulnerable to rising energy costs. Homes built prior to the 1970’s oil embargo are often much less energy-efficient than newer units. • More than half of the 80 million single-family homes in the United States were constructed before modern energy codes existed. • Many homes are poorly insulated, have high levels of air infiltration, inefficient heating and air conditioning systems, and inefficient water heaters and appliances. • About 40% of households report at least some winter drafts, and 60% complain of a room that is too warm in the summer. • Energy efficiency assessments can identify sources of poor air quality and other safety and comfort issues in the home that can be addressed in recommended energy efficiency upgrades. “Create a Green Development Checklist” Action “Green Building Policy/Resolution” Action Figure 10. NJ CEP Residential New Construction Incentives 4 • REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 39 LEED or other green building rating systems, in order to encourage developers to pursue LEED level improvements. 4.4 CONDUCT OUTREACH TARGETING NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE COMMUNITY The NJ Clean Energy Program offers incentives for new construction of energy efficient residential and commercial buildings. For residential buildings, the incentives are listed in the chart to the right based on the efficiency grade, and are further detailed in “Note 6. Residential Energy Efficiency Standards, per NJ CEP RNC Program” on page 39 and in “Figure 10. NJ CEP Residential New Construction Incentives”. NJ CEP’s new construction program for commercial and industrial projects provides incentives for both new construction projects and gut rehabilitation or substantial renovation projects. The new construction program includes three incentive categories: Whole Building/Comprehensive, Multi- Measure, and Single-Measure, which provide incentives for varying levels of energy saving construction practices. See “Figure 11. NJ CEP Commercial New Construction Incentives” on page 39. NEXT STEPS The City will promote these programs through media and in locations where developers are most likely to see them, including: ► As an attachment to the Green Building Checklist, development application forms, and other mandatory forms or documents to be completed by developers of new construction projects; ► On the Land Use Board and/or Building Department’s websites; ► Encouraged in new or amended Redevelopment Plans. The City will request marketing materials from the NJBPU to assist in this initiative. Note 6. Residential Energy Efficiency Standards, per NJ CEP RNC Program • New Jersey ENERGY STAR Homes are designed to achieve 15% more energy efficiency than the building code (10% for new single-family homes). These homes meet ENERGY STAR version 3.0 or 3.1 standards, which means they are ENERGY STAR certified. • New Jersey Zero Energy Ready Home requires a high energy efficiency achievement in new home construction. The program requirements include meeting or exceeding all DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes technical standards, building in compliance with the ENERGY STAR Homes Program checklists, meeting 2015 IECC insulation levels, and certifying under EPA’s Indoor airPLUS Program. • Zero Energy Home +RE (ZERH+Renewables)This pathway has the same requirements as the ZERH pathway with the additional requirement that 100% the building’s modeled energy usage is met by renewable energy systems installed prior to completion of the home. • Multi-Family High Rise (MFHR) Program requires 15% increased energy savings above code. This pathway will satisfy the requirements for ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) Version 1.1 or 1.2 certification. Figure 11. NJ CEP Commercial New Construction Incentives Reach out to developers to encourage participation in NJCEP’s Commercial and Residential New Construction Energy Efficiency programs. 6 • SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 40 STRATEGY 6: SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION BY LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES The objective of Strategy 6 is to ensure that the City’s most vulnerable cohorts, including LMI households, households with language barriers, and others, are engaged and included in the City’s energy initiatives. Many of the actions that individuals can take to reduce energy costs or adopt clean energy require significant up front costs. As an overburdened municipality, the success of Union City’s Community Energy Plan depends on the ability of LMI households to benefit from the shift to clean energy and efforts to reduce energy consumption. It is also essential that LMI households and households with language barriers are engaged and made aware of opportunities for them to reduce their energy costs and energy impact. The initiatives to be pursued by the City include: ► 6.2 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Low- and Moderate-Income Residents - Promote state and utility energy efficiency programs for low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents using community- serving institutions as messengers, using non-English promotional materials where appropriate, and emphasizing co-benefits of energy efficiency upgrades (health, safety, and comfort). ► 6.5 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Community-Serving Institutions - Reach out to limited- capacity entities that serve low- and moderate income communities to encourage participation in state and utility energy efficiency programs. Outreach strategies include messaging benefits of reduced capital, maintenance, and energy costs and segmenting outreach to different types of organization with different needs. 6.2 CONDUCT ENERGY EFFICIENCY OUTREACH TO LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS This Community Energy Plan has identified several programs designed to make energy efficiency and clean energy affordable to homeowners and owners of multi-unit dwellings. Cohorts that are more difficult to engage include renter households, homeowners with language barriers, and homeowners who are elderly, and homeowners for whom the most impactful projects are out of reach even with incentives and rebates to offset project costs. INCENTIVE AND COST-ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ► PSE&G’s “Marketplace” website offers substantial discounts on energy and water- saving items that renters and homeowners with limited budgets can purchase and install in their homes, including low-flow shower heads, energy saving power-strips, thermostats, and LED light bulbs. In some cases, the purchaser can receive these items for free. Helping renters access the Marketplace is an effective way help them save energy and money; and Marketplace shoppers are also likely to follow the redirect links for PSE&G’s energy efficiency incentive programs for larger purchases like HVAC, boilers, and furnaces. PSE&G will occasionally send sample packages to address where new accounts are established to make customers aware of cost saving opportunities. Note 7. Income Based Energy Assistance Programs • Lifeline Program - Operated by the NJ Department of Human Services to assist income eligible disabled adults or seniors to afford utility costs; • LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) / Universal Service Fund - Helps to offset home energy and heating costs for low-income households. • PAGE (Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric) - Helps to offset energy and gas costs for income eligible households. Promote state and utility energy efficiency programs for low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents using community-serving institutions as messengers, using non- English promotional materials where appropriate, and emphasizing co-benefits of energy efficiency upgrades (health, safety, and comfort). “Energy Assistance Outreach” Action 6 • SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 41 ► PSE&G offers a Home Weatherization Program for Income-Qualified Customers, which provides free energy efficiency assessments to income qualified customers and covers the installation cost of up to $6,000 in energy efficiency upgrades and $1,500 in health and safety improvements. The qualifying income range for the program is between 250% and 400% of the federal poverty level. ► Comfort Partners is a joint program between PSE&G and NJCEP that provides energy efficiency and weatherization assistance to households at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. ► Energy Check by PSE&G is a program that extends energy saving services to owners of buildings with four or more apartments. PSE&G and other State and utility entities also offer a number of programs to assist income-eligible persons as well as elderly or disabled persons to afford their home energy and heating costs. See “Note 7. Income Based Energy Assistance Programs” on page 40. Union City may be able to obtain assistance through the PSE&G/Sustainable Jersey partnership grant and technical assistance programs to assist the City’s Green Team to implement an outreach campaign targeted towards LMI households. NEXT STEPS ► The Green Team will lead the City’s application for technical assistance and grant assistance from Sustainable Jersey to implement an outreach campaign targeting LMI households. ► The Green Team will host a “Green Fair”, either as a one time event or a periodically repeating event, to educate the public about available programs, opportunities, or energy saving practices. The City will seek sponsorship from PSE&G, NJ BPU, Sustainable Jersey, home and small-business energy efficiency contractors, hybrid and EV car dealerships, solar installers, and home electronics vendors others who can use the Fair to reach-out to potential customers in the City. The City can also post exhibits at the Fair about its own energy accomplishments, goals, and objectives, and to seek public input about potential initiatives. ► As the City’s outreach body on all things “green”, the Green Team will be responsible for recruiting partners, organizing and advertising the event, and generating marketing materials. ► Advertising materials and informational materials will be prepared in at least two languages to reach as many LMI residents as possible; ► Materials will be distributed to LMI-serving institutions to further expand the reach of advertising; ► The event will be family friendly to ensure that families with children can easily participate. ► The City will work with PSE&G to include information about the PSE&G Marketplace and PSE&G’s rebate and incentive programs in regular City mailers and electronic communications. ► The Green Team will distribute informational materials to LMI-serving institutions to continue to educate the public year-round 6.5 CONDUCT ENERGY EFFICIENCY OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS Improving the energy efficiency of community- serving organizations can improve the financial capacity of those organizations to improve services to their constituents, especially when the cost of energy efficiency upgrades is offset by incentive programs. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Reach out to limited-capacity entities that serve low- and moderate income communities to encourage participation in state and utility energy efficiency programs. Outreach strategies include messaging benefits of reduced capital, maintenance, and energy costs and segmenting outreach to different types of organization with different needs. 6 • SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 42 1. The Green Team will identify the not-for-profit, governmental, and quasi-governmental entities in the City that primarily serve low- and moderate-income residents and businesses in their neighborhoods. These may include the City’s Housing Authority, the Board of Education, Senior Affairs, North Hudson Community Action Corp, small business owners that are staples to the community, churches providing homeless services, and others; 2. The Green Team will host an event for those entities where it will make them aware of the various programs available to commercial, governmental, and non-profit entities to improve their energy efficiency and lower their energy costs; 3. The Green Team will continue to monitor whether the targeted organizations enroll in applicable programs. City of Union City Community Energy Plan March 2024 43 8 • CONCLUSION CONCLUSION The Community Energy Plan examines 18 actions that the City will strive to achieve over a three-to-five year period in order to advance the State’s Energy Master Plan, reduce energy costs, expand access to clean energy to low-and moderate-income households, and create green jobs locally. Some of these actions require little to no cost to the City, such as conducting public outreach about incentive programs, establishing internal policies, systems, and guidelines to improve fleet efficiency, and adopting of ordinances, checklists, and permitting documents to expand adoption of clean energy. Other actions in this Plan require larger investments by the City, such as installing renewable energy generation, weatherizing buildings, establishing public EV charging infrastructure, and upgrading and replacing inefficient fleet vehicles with electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. Incentives and innovative financing strategies can limit the costs associated with those actions and avoid passing the costs of the actions on to taxpayers. It should be noted that the time of this writing is a particularly advantageous moment for the City to make investments in clean energy, energy savings, and environmentally friendly infrastructure, as the political administrations at the State and Federal level have identified these as priorities. Many of the grants, rebates, and supportive programs identified in this Plan may not be available under future administrations, and some are scheduled to expire or shrink, or may not be renewed in the coming years. Therefore it is recommended that the City begin implementation early. NEXT STEPS Following the adopting of the Community Energy Plan, the City will establish a Green Team comprised of elected officials, City staff, and community members, to set the City’s agenda and priorities for implementing actions listed in this Plan document as well as actions laid out by Sustainable Jersey for certification. City officials, staff, and professionals will begin to take the actions in these plans beginning after adoption, particularly as grants and incentives for studying or implementing actions become available. CITY OF UNION CITY COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 WORKPLAN TEMPLATE Community Energy Plan Workplan Template A SUSTAINABLE JERSEY GUIDE Community Energy Plan Workplan Template Sustainable Jersey Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey Forcina Hall, 3rd Floor 2000 Pennington Rd. Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 This report was made possible through a grant from New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program is brought to you by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (NJBPU) The 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 the 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. ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY 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). ABOUT SUSTAINABLE JERSEY Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey. Launched in 2009, Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental equity. It provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Sustainable Jersey is one hundred percent voluntary and each town can choose whether it wants to get certified and the actions it wants to do in order to achieve enough points to get certified. PART 1: CHECKLIST i Introduction: How to use this document ............................................................................................................................................................. III Part I: Checklist ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Strategy 1: Reduce Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Transportation Sector ................................................................................... 2 1.1 Adopt Supportive Zoning and Regulations for EV Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Train First Responders on EVs and EVSE ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Train Non-Emergency Staff on EVs and EVSE ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Improve Municipal Fleet Efficiency ................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Install Public EV Charging Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.7 Encourage Non-Municipal Fleets to Improve Efficiency ...................................................................................................................................... 5 1.8 Encourage Workplace EV Charging Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Strategy 2: Accelerate Deployment of Renewable Energy and Distributed Energy Resources ........................................................................... 6 2.1 Adopt Supportive Zoning and Permitting for Private Solar ................................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Post Solar Permitting Checklist ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 2.3 Adopt Zoning and Permitting for Community Solar ............................................................................................................................................ 7 2.4 Train First Responders on Solar ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.5 Train Non-Emergency Staff on Solar ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.6 Install On-site Municipal Renewable Generation ............................................................................................................................................... 8 2.7 Buy Renewable Electricity for Municipal Facilities .............................................................................................................................................. 9 2.8 Offer a Solar Employee Benefit Program ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.9 Institute a Community-wide Solar Purchasing Program ................................................................................................................................... 10 Table of Contents PART 1: CHECKLIST ii 2.10 Implement Renewable Government Energy Aggregation (R-GEA) .................................................................................................................. 10 2.11 Support Community Solar as Project Ambassador ........................................................................................................................................... 11 2.12 Support Community Solar as Outreach Coordinator ........................................................................................................................................ 11 2.13 Host a Community Solar Project on Municipal Property ...................................................................................................................................12 Strategy 3: Maximize Energy Efficiency and Conservation and Reduce Peak Demand ..................................................................................... 13 3.1 Upgrade Energy Efficiency in Municipal Facilities ............................................................................................................................................. 13 3.2 Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign ........................................................................................................................................... 13 3.3 Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign ......................................................................................................................................... 14 3.4 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Large Energy Users ............................................................................................................................. 14 Strategy 4: Reduce Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Building Sector .............................................................................. 15 4.1 Construct New Municipal Buildings as Model Green Buildings .......................................................................................................................... 15 4.2 Encourage Benchmarking and Commissioning for Existing Buildings ............................................................................................................... 15 4.3 Require Developers to Complete Green Development Checklist ....................................................................................................................... 16 4.4 Conduct Outreach Targeting New Construction in the Community ................................................................................................................... 16 Strategy 6: Support Community Energy Planning and Action with an Emphasis on Encouraging and Supporting Participation by Low- and Moderate-Income and Environmental Justice Communities .................................................17 6.1 Make Community Energy Planning Inclusive .....................................................................................................................................................17 6.2 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Low- and Moderate-Income Residents ..................................................................................................17 6.3 Support Shared Mobility Programs ................................................................................................................................................................. 18 6.4 Support Low- and Moderate-Income Community Solar Subscriptions .............................................................................................................. 18 6.5 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Community-Serving Institutions .......................................................................................................... 19 Strategy 7: Expand the Clean Energy Innovation Economy ........................................................................................................................ 20 7.1 Adopt Energy Storage Policies ......................................................................................................................................................................... 20 7.2 Install an Energy Storage System .................................................................................................................................................................... 20 7.3 Develop Local Microgrid .................................................................................................................................................................................21 7.4 Develop/Participate in a District Energy System ............................................................................................................................................... 21 Part II: Template ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 PART 1: CHECKLIST iii Part I provides descriptions of high-impact initiatives to consider as part of the municipality’s Community Energy Plan. Municipalities may include initiatives not listed in Part I, but Community Energy Plan Grant recipients must seriously consider each initiative in the list. For each initiative, Part I offers a brief description, potential measures of success, relevant resources for completing the initiative, and potential community stakeholders. Most (but not all) of the initiatives are linked to Sustainable Jersey energy actions; all of the actions required for Sustainable Jersey’s Gold Star in Energy are included. The initiatives are organized to correspond with the seven strategies of the New Jersey Energy Master Plan (EMP). Within each EMP Strategy, initiatives appear roughly in order of municipal roles, starting with regulation and policy, followed by public services, then municipal operations strategies, then community- facing initiatives. NOTE: EMP Strategy 5 is not included as municipalities do not have jurisdiction over grid regulatory issues. Initiatives are also rated by general impact and difficulty, though these factors vary by municipality depending on municipal staff capacity, types of businesses in the community, existing infrastructure, and so on. Municipalities should consider these local factors when selecting which initiatives to implement. Part II is a workspace for the municipality to fill in with implementation details for each of the initiatives selected for the Community Energy Plan. These details include the lead person and entity, general start date, immediate next steps, and other elements relevant to how the initiative will be implemented after the Community Energy Plan is adopted. This document is a tool for municipalities to use in creating a Community Energy Plan as part of the NJBPU Community Energy Plan Grant (“CEPG”) program. Municipalities participating in the CEPG program must utilize this document to triage known practical and impactful strategies to reduce greenhouse gases and achieve a sustainable energy future. The Workplan Template and accompanying Sustainable Energy Communities Guide offer guidance on the most high-impact initiatives that New Jersey municipalities can implement, enabling grant recipients to focus planning efforts on the specific who, what, where, when, and why of implementing the initiatives in the community. Introduction PART 1: CHECKLIST iv To complete the Workplan Template, the municipality should: Directions for Completing this Document 1 3 2 4 Consider each initiative listed in Part I, conducting research to determine if the initiative is feasible and desirable for the community. Research may include engaging the public and working with the municipal staff responsible for implementation. Sustainable Jersey is available to provide technical assistance and/or referrals to relevant experts. Decide which initiatives will be included in the Community Energy Plan and indicate chosen initiatives using the provided check boxes. For each initiative to be included in the Plan, complete a fill-in-the-blank page from Part II including key implementation details such as the lead person/department, start date, and immediate next steps. Use the “Measures of Success” and “Potential Stakeholders” in Part I to inform the “Community notes” section of Part II. For each initiative that is NOT selected for inclusion in the Community Energy Plan, describe the reasoning for not including it (e.g., cost, lack of resources, other significant barriers to implementation) in the Comments/Rationale section of the corresponding box in Part I. PART 1: CHECKLIST iv PART 1: CHECKLIST 1 IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders 0.0 Name of Initiative 0.0 Name of Initiative Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Introduction and information on the initiative Introduction and information on the initiative • Measure 1 • Measure 2 • Measure 3 • Measure 1 • Measure 2 • Measure 3 • Resource 1 • Resource 2 • Resource 3 • Resource 1 • Resource 2 • Resource 3 • Stakeholder 1 • Stakeholder 2 • Stakeholder 1 • Stakeholder 2 PART I: Checklist Example STRATEGY 0: NAME OF STRATEGY PART 1: CHECKLIST 2 IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: N/A DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders 1.1 Adopt Supportive Zoning and Regulations for EV Infrastructure 1.2 Train First Responders on EVs and EVSE Pass NJDCA’s Model Statewide Municipal EV Ordinance specifying electric vehicle charging stations (EVSE) as a permitted accessory use, establishing the permitting process for charging stations, and requiring Make-Ready and EVSE parking in new multifamily developments and parking lots. Modify the model ordinance standards for safety, signage, etc. as needed. To further public confidence and maintain emergency preparedness, require training on electric vehicles and associated infrastructure for local first responders. • “Reasonable Standards” language modified and finalized • Ordinance passed • Make-Ready and EV charging parking minimums posted to municipal website • Training held for each relevant department • Policy established for ongoing training • NJDCA’s Model Statewide Ordinance • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Electric Vehicle Friendly action • Great Plains Institute’s Summary of Best Practices in EV Ordinances • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Electric Vehicle Friendly action • NFPA’s Alternative Fuel Vehicles Safety Training Program • Downtown businesses/business association • Real estate developers • Local fleet managers that handle EVs • Neighboring municipalities • Automobile dealerships Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: STRATEGY 1: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR Completed PART 1: CHECKLIST 3 IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Measures of Success Resources Initiate electric vehicle cross-training for non-emergency staff such as code officials, automotive technicians, and electricians. Replace existing municipal fleet vehicles with plug-in hybrid, battery electric, or other sustainable alternative fuel vehicles, using fleet analysis to inform purchases. • Training held for each relevant department • Policy established for ongoing training • Strategic plan prioritizing vehicles in fleet to replace with AFVs • Fleet charging infrastructure installed for municipal vehicles • First battery electric vehicle added to municipal fleet • At least 6.5% of municipal vehicles are electric • Sustainable Jersey’s Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles action • Sustainable Jersey’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Procurement Guide • Fleets for the Future Electric Vehicle Procurement Best Practices Guide • DVRPC’s Electric Vehicle Resource Kit for Municipalities • NJBPU’s Clean Fleet EV Incentive Program • Fleet management companies (e.g., transportation analytics firms) • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Electric Vehicle Friendly action • NAFTC’s Courses and Workshops • Neighboring municipalities • Local unions 1.3 Train Non-Emergency Staff on EVs and EVSE 1.4 Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: STRATEGY 1: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR PART 1: CHECKLIST 4 IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders 1.5 Improve Municipal Fleet Efficiency 1.6 Install Public EV Charging Infrastructure Coordinate the strategic replacement (or retirement) of vehicles, scheduling of preventative maintenance, and improvement of driver efficiency to reduce the GHG footprint of all municipal fleets – public works, police, fire, etc. Requires tracking of fleet data such as age of vehicles, duty cycle, and use patterns. Install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including chargers, signage, and safety and accessibility features, for public use. • Annual fleet inventory process established • Annual driver training established • 20% reduction in fleet emissions within 4-year span • First public EV charging station installed • 2 public EV charging stations per 10,000 residents • Sustainable Jersey’s Fleet Inventory action • Sustainable Jersey’s Meet Target for Green Fleets action • Atlas Public Policy’s Fleet Procurement Analysis Tool • Sustainable Jersey’s Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure action • NJDEP’s It Pay$ to Plug In grant program • Sustainable Jersey’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Procurement Guide • DVRPC’s Electric Vehicle Resource Kit for Municipalities • Fleet management companies (e.g., transportation analytics firms) • Municipal services contractors (e.g., waste services companies) • Electric utility • Transportation Management Association • Car dealerships • Car share providers Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: STRATEGY 1: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR PART 1: CHECKLIST 5 IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 1.7 Encourage Non-Municipal Fleets to Improve Efficiency 1.8 Encourage Workplace EV Charging Infrastructure Contact local commercial vehicle owners to encourage them to strategically replace (or retire) vehicles and improve driver efficiency to reduce their fleet’s GHG footprint. Offer resources to ease the process, such as procurement tools and incentive information. Meet with local employers to ask them to install workplace EV charging. If possible, offer incentives such as promotion in municipal communications, a “ribbon cutting” event with public officials, and/or a fast-tracked permitting process. • Template fleet procurement plan provided to commercial fleet managers • Municipal-led recognition program for local leaders in fleet efficiency • Municipal staff/green team meet with 5+ local employers • 3 workplace EV charging stations installed thanks to outreach • 2 workplace EV chargers per 100 businesses in the municipality • Atlas Public Policy’s Fleet Procurement Analysis Tool • Sustainable Jersey’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Procurement Guide • Sustainable Jersey’s Electric Vehicle Outreach action • Sustainable Jersey’s Fleet Inventory action • Sustainable Jersey’s Meet Target for Green Fleets action • NYSERDA’s Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Policies: Best Practices Guide • Sustainable Jersey’s Electric Vehicle Outreach action • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Electric Vehicle Friendly action • Private transit companies • Business associations • Fleet management companies (e.g., transportation analytics firms) • Electric vehicle charging infrastructure companies • Local business associations • Local charging station installers (e.g., electricians) STRATEGY 1: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 6 Provide clear guidance/standards for solar developers and limit barriers to solar adoption such as lengthy permitting and multiple reviews. Provide clear guidance/standards for solar developers with a permitting checklist that can be easily found on the municipality’s website. Solicit feedback from users and revise checklist based on comments. • Pass solar-friendly ordinance • Expedite/eliminate zoning permit • Establish flat fee for permitting • Permit requirement checklist online • Permit checklist revised based on user feedback • IREC’s Guide to Preparing Solar Permitting Checklists • Solar Ready Kansas City’s Streamline Permitting: Best Management Practices for Solar Installation Policy • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Solar Friendly action • Resident organizations (e.g., homeowners associations) • Solar developers • Local businesses/business associations • Resident organizations (e.g., homeowners associations) • Solar developers IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success • Sustainable Jersey’s Guidance for Creating a Solar Friendly Ordinance • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Solar Friendly action • US DOE’s SolSmart Program Guide Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 2.1 Adopt Supportive Zoning and Permitting for Private Solar 2.2 Post Solar Permitting Checklist STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 7 Update municipal zoning ordinances to specifically allow large-scale solar projects, and designate future community solar sites as redevelopment zones. Consider offering direct assistance with permitting, expediting the permitting process, and/or reducing permitting fees for community solar. To further public confidence and maintain emergency preparedness, require training on solar infrastructure for first responders. • Zoning ordinance adopted enabling large-scale solar projects • Municipal point of contact established for community solar developers • Site designated as development zone to host community solar • Training held for each relevant department • Policy for ongoing training established • Sustainable Jersey’s Community Solar Guide • Sustainable Jersey’s Municipally Supported Community Solar action • Kean University’s Fire Safety Training Program • IREC’s Allied Professional Training • US DOE’s SolSmart Program Guide • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Solar Friendly action • Community solar developers • Community solar site hosts • Low- and moderate-income housing developers/managers • Neighboring municipalities IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 2.3 Adopt Zoning and Permitting for Community Solar 2.4 Train First Responders on Solar N/A N/A STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 8 To ensure municipal staff can efficiently and effectively inspect, review, permit, etc. solar installations in the community, require training on solar infrastructure for all relevant staff. Host a solar, wind, or geothermal project on municipal property to generate renewable energy for municipal facilities. Such projects can be leased from a developer or purchased and owned outright. • Training for relevant departments • Cross-train building, zoning, inspection, and permitting staff • Policy for ongoing training • Contract with a developer to buy or lease a renewable installation on municipal property • Implement outreach illustrating the benefits of renewable energy to the community using the municipal project • IREC’s Allied Professional Training • US DOE’s SolSmart Program Guide • Sustainable Jersey’s Make Your Town Solar Friendly action • Sustainable Jersey’s Municipal On-Site Solar System; Municipal Wind Energy System; and Municipal Geothermal Energy System actions • American Cities Climate Challenge On-site Solar Procurement Guidance • NJCEP’s Renewable Energy webpage • Neighboring municipalities • Local unions • Renewable energy developer(s) • Local media • Public school district IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 2.5 Train Non-Emergency Staff on Solar 2.6 Install On-Site Municipal Renewable Generation STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES PART 1: CHECKLIST 9 Buy renewable electricity for municipal facilities directly from a green energy supplier or participate in a buying pool that supplies electricity with high renewable content. The accompanying renewable energy certificates (RECs) should be certified as PJM Class I. Offer a collective solar purchasing program for municipal employees, promoted via existing employee communication network. This type of program utilizes scale and low customer acquisition costs to make installing solar more affordable for participating employees. Schools and municipalities can collaborate to form a larger pool of potential customers, even including student families in the offer. • Contract with third-party supplier or buying pool with a greater proportion of renewable content than current Renewable Portfolio Standard (22.5% for 2021) • Renewable portion is mostly, if not all, PJM Class I RECs • 10% of employees get a quote through purchasing program • 5% of employees participate in the program • Sustainable Jersey’s Buy Electricity from a Renewable Source action • Sustainable Jersey’s Solar Outreach action • NREL’s Solarize Guidebook • Energy consultant • Energy buying pool (e.g., NJSEM) • Municipal employee associations • Public school district • Local solar developer(s) • Parent-teacher associations IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 2.7 Buy Renewable Energy for Municipal Facilities 2.8 Offer a Solar Employee Benefit Program STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES Not a priority at this time Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 10 Partner with solar installers or a solar marketplace to offer special pricing on solar installations to residents and/or businesses for a limited time. Establish the partner solar installer(s) and special pricing via RFP process, then advertise the offering to the community. Alternatively, partner with a competitive online solar marketplace to offer residents a custom online webpage to receive quotes. Establish a Renewable Government Energy Aggregation (R-GEA) program. R-GEA is a third-party electric supply contract negotiated by a municipality (or group of municipalities) on behalf of its residents. Utilizing their size, municipalities can negotiate for a supply that is more sustainable, often less expensive, and with better and more secure terms than can typically be achieved by individual residents. • 5% of residents receive quotes for solar installations • 2% of residents install solar as part of the campaign • Third-party supplier bids received below utility electricity rate • R-GEA contract contains high-quality renewable content (e.g., PJM Class-I) at least 20% above the current RPS at the time (RPS is 22.5% for 2021) • Sustainable Jersey’s Solar Outreach action • NREL’s Solarize Guidebook • Sustainable Jersey’s How-To Guide: Renewable Government Energy Aggregation • Sustainable Jersey’s Renewable Government Energy Aggregation action • Local solar developer(s) • Service organizations • Local media • Homeowners associations • Energy consultant(s) • Local media • Neighboring municipalities IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 2.9 Institute a Community-wide Solar Purchasing Program 2.10 Implement Renewable Government Energy Aggregation (R-GEA) Measures of Success Measures of Success STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES Not a priority at this time Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 11 Facilitate connections between community solar developers and the local site owner, anchor subscribers, nonprofit sponsors, and/or affordable housing property owners. Municipalities can lend credibility to the multi-benefit opportunity of a potential community solar project. Use municipal resources and networks (mailing lists, websites, etc.) to educate the community about community solar in general and the details of local projects (e.g., subscription rates and requirements). • Anchor subscribers established for community solar project • Project partner underwrites subscription fees for low- and moderate-income residents • Community solar information posted to municipal website • Community solar promoted by outreach partners via their networks • Sustainable Jersey’s Municipally Supported Community Solar action • Sustainable Jersey’s Community Solar Guide • Sustainable Jersey’s Municipally Supported Community Solar action • Sustainable Jersey’s Community Solar Guide • Community solar developers and project hosts • Affordable housing organizations • Faith-based organizations • Community solar developers • Local media • Affordable housing organizations • Faith-based organizations IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 2.11 Support Community Solar as Project Ambassador 2.12 Support Community Solar as Outreach Coordinator STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES Not a priority at this time Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 12 Host a community solar project on municipal property, such as a DPW garage, parking lot/garage, or landfill. Most municipalities lease the site to the developer or enter a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the developer to buy the electricity at a reduced rate. • Agreement with developer to host a project • Municipality serves as project anchor subscriber • NJBPU’s Community Solar Brochure • Sustainable Jersey’s Municipally Supported Community Solar action • Sustainable Jersey’s Community Solar Guide (pg. 10-14) • NJDEP’s NJ Community Solar PV Siting Tool • Community solar developers • Neighborhood associations • State agencies handling brownfields IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Resources Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 2.13 Host a Community Solar Project on Municipal Property STRATEGY 2: ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES PART 1: CHECKLIST 13 Upgrade municipal facilities to be more energy efficient. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and electric and natural gas utilities offers incentive programs that guide municipalities through the upgrade process, starting with free audits to establish the most effective measures to reduce energy use. Following implementation, showcase upgrades in energy efficiency outreach to local commercial entities. Implement an outreach effort to help residents take advantage of energy efficiency incentive programs offered by New Jersey’s electric and natural gas utilities, including Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Comfort Partners. • Apply for Local Government Energy Audit or Engineered Solutions audit, if eligible • Achieve 20% annual energy savings for one building • Achieve 20% annual energy savings across the municipal building portfolio • Outreach team training with Sustainable Jersey • 5% of residents participate in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program during the campaign • NJ gas and electric utilities’ commercial energy efficiency program websites • NJCEP’s Combined Heat and Power program • Sustainable Jersey’s Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities action • NJ gas and electric utilities’ residential energy efficiency program websites • Sustainable Jersey’s Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach action • Public school district • Neighboring municipalities • Natural gas/electric utility • HPwES contractor(s) • Neighborhood and faith-based organizations IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 3.1 Upgrade Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities 3.2 Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign STRATEGY 3: MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION AND REDUCE PEAK DEMAND Residential population predominantly renters PART 1: CHECKLIST 14 Implement an outreach effort to help local businesses take advantage of energy efficiency incentive programs offered by New Jersey’s electric and natural gas utilities, including the Direct Install (DI) program. Contact large energy users in the community to prompt interest in managing energy use, including participating in utility commercial energy efficiency incentive programs like Engineered Solutions and PJM’s Demand Response program. • Outreach team training with Sustainable Jersey • 5% of businesses participate in Direct Install program during the campaign • One of the community’s largest energy users enrolls in utility energy efficiency program • One of the community’s largest energy users enrolls in demand-side management program • NJ gas and electric utilities’ commercial energy efficiency program websites • Sustainable Jersey’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach action • NJ gas and electric utilities’ commercial energy efficiency program websites • NJCEP’s Large Energy Users Program • Natural gas/electric utility • Local DI contractor • Building Owners and Managers Association • Local business associations • Minority business association • Natural gas/electric utility • Business associations • Rutgers University Center for Green Building IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 3.3 Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign 3.4 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Large Energy Users Resources Resources STRATEGY 3: MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION AND REDUCE PEAK DEMAND • Rutgers University’s Green Building Manual • Sustainable Jersey’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach action • PJM’s Demand Response program No appropriate user PART 1: CHECKLIST 15 Implement a policy encouraging or requiring consideration of green building practices for any new municipal construction project. Highlight the incentives from NJCEP’s New Construction Energy Efficiency program. Following construction, showcase green building features with on-site kiosks and digital webpages to encourage others to follow suit. Educate local building managers about benchmarking and commissioning. Inform building managers of utility building management programs that include benchmarking and/or commissioning. • Pass resolution or ordinance encouraging/requiring that new municipal buildings follow green building practices • Construct the municipality’s first LEED-Platinum building • Hold a public event touting the “green” features of a new municipal building • Information about benchmarking and commissioning posted to municipal website • Major building owner agrees to have buildings benchmarked and commissioned • Sustainable Jersey’s New Construction action • Sustainable Jersey’s Green Building Policy/Resolution action • Rutgers University’s Green Building Manual • NJ gas and electric utilities’ commercial energy efficiency program websites • Sustainable Jersey’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach action • Building architects and developers (e.g., member of U.S. Green Building Council) • Rutgers University Center for Green Building • Local media • Commercial building managers • Natural gas/electric utility • Facility maintenance services companies IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 4.1 Construct New Municipal Buildings as Model Green Buildings 4.2 Encourage Benchmarking and Commissioning for Existing Buildings STRATEGY 4: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 16 Pass a Green Building Policy or Resolution that requires developers to submit a completed Green Development Checklist with Site Plan Applications. Checklist should refer developers to NJCEP’s Commercial and Residential New Construction Energy Efficiency programs. Reach out to developers to encourage participation in NJCEP’s Commercial and Residential New Construction Energy Efficiency programs. • Green Development Checklist published • Municipal ordinance requires developers to submit a completed Green Development Checklist • Major new development utilizes recommendations from Green Development Checklist • Information on NJCEP’s New Construction Energy Efficiency incentive programs distributed via multiple mediums • Major new development utilizes NJCEP program(s) • Sustainable Jersey’s Create a Green Development Checklist action • Sustainable Jersey’s Green Building Policy/Resolution action • NJCEP’s Commercial and Residential New Construction Energy Efficiency webpages. • Builders trade associations (e.g., U.S. Green Building Council) • Building architects and developers • Financial institutions • Builders trade associations (e.g., U.S. Green Building Council) • Building architects and developers • Financial institutions IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 4.3 Require Developers to Complete Green Development Checklist 4.4 Conduct Outreach Targeting New Construction in the Community Measures of Success Measures of Success STRATEGY 4: REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR PART 1: CHECKLIST 17 IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 6.1 Make Community Energy Planning Inclusive 6.2 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Low- and Moderate-Income Residents Ensure low- and moderate-income residents are represented in energy planning processes, both on the core planning team and among those contributing via public comment. Methods include scheduling meetings at convenient times (varying meeting time if needed), engaging with community organizations that can elevate underrepresented voices, and advertising planning meetings in appropriate media. Promote state and utility energy efficiency programs for low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents using community-serving institutions as messengers, using non-English promotional materials where appropriate, and emphasizing co-benefits of energy efficiency upgrades (health, safety, and comfort). • Demographics of entire community represented on planning team • Public comment meetings well-attended • Hold an event specifically targeting LMI residents for energy efficiency programs • 5% of eligible residents participate in income-qualifying state/utility energy efficiency programs • Sustainable Jersey’s Improve Public Engagement in Planning and Zoning action • Cadmus and USDN’s Guidebook on Equitable Clean Energy Program Design • Utility residential energy efficiency program websites • Sustainable Jersey’s Energy Assistance Outreach action • Sustainable Jersey’s Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach action (see Resources section) • Local media • Meeting hosts (libraries, businesses) • Public school district • Faith-based organizations • Affordable housing owners/managers (public & private) • Tenant’s organizations • Public school district • Faith-based organizations SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION STRATEGY 6: With an Emphasis on Encouraging and Supporting Participation by Low- and Moderate-Income and Environmental Justice Communities Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 18 Promote and develop shared transportation networks of buses, cars, bikes, etc. with design features that particularly assist low- and moderate-income residents. Encourage shared transportation services to expand access in low-income neighborhoods and provide low-income membership options. As a partner in a community solar project, ensure that some project capacity is reserved for low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents and/or a discount is offered for LMI subscribers. • Launch new shared transportation option in the municipality • Create low-income membership option for residents using a shared transportation network • Over 51% of community solar project capacity reserved for LMI residents • Discount of 15% or more to LMI subscribers of community solar project • The Greenlining Institute’s Electric Carsharing in Underserved Communities • Federal Highway Administration’s Travel Behavior: Shared Mobility and Transportation Equity • Sustainable Jersey’s Municipally Supported Community Solar action • Sustainable Jersey Community Solar Guide • Shared electric bike/scooter companies • Shared automobile companies • Neighboring municipalities • Transportation Management Association • Community solar developers • Affordable housing owners/managers (public & private) • Community nonprofits • Tenant’s organizations IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 6.3 Support Shared Mobility Programs 6.4 Support Low- and Moderate-Income Community Solar Subscriptions SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION STRATEGY 6: With an Emphasis on Encouraging and Supporting Participation by Low- and Moderate-Income and Environmental Justice Communities City is well served by public transit Superseded by the rules for community solar PART 1: CHECKLIST 19 Reach out to limited-capacity entities that serve low- and moderate- income communities to encourage participation in state and utility energy efficiency programs. Outreach strategies include messaging benefits of reduced capital, maintenance, and energy costs and segmenting outreach to different types of organization with different needs. • Hold an event specifically targeting community-serving institutions for energy efficiency programs • In UEZ or Opportunity Zone, if any exist in municipality • 5% of eligible entities participate in a state/utility energy efficiency program • NJ gas and electric utilities’ commercial energy efficiency program websites • Sustainable Jersey’s Energy Assistance Outreach action • ACEEE’s Extending the Benefits of Nonresidential Energy Efficiency to Low- Income Communities • Affordable housing owners/ managers (public & private) • Health clinics • Faith-based organizations • Community foundations • Local business associations • Food banks and homeless shelters IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Resources Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 6.5 Conduct Energy Efficiency Outreach to Community-Serving Institutions SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLANNING AND ACTION STRATEGY 6: With an Emphasis on Encouraging and Supporting Participation by Low- and Moderate-Income and Environmental Justice Communities PART 1: CHECKLIST 20 STRATEGY 7: Adopt standards and establish requirements for permitting battery energy storage systems. Post information about energy storage regulations to the municipal website and ensure appropriate municipal staff are informed. Install on-site energy storage, such as batteries, compressed air, or thermal storage, for municipal facilities. Following construction, showcase the project with on-site kiosks and municipal webpages to encourage others to follow suit. • Regulations adopted addressing battery energy storage • Permitting system for energy storage established • RFP for municipal energy storage system posted • Energy storage project installed and operational • NYSERDA’s Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook • SolSmart’s Solar + Storage, A Guide for Local Governments • Carbon Trust’s Energy Storage Guide • Electric utility • Energy storage companies • Electric utility • Energy storage companies EXPAND THE CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION ECONOMY IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 7.1 Adopt Energy Storage Policies 7.2 Install an Energy Storage System Not relevant to the City Not a priority at this time PART 1: CHECKLIST 21 Participate in development of a microgrid. Microgrid development generally starts with a feasibility study, followed by project design, then project implementation. Following construction, showcase the project with on-site kiosks, a municipal webpage, and/or ribbon-cutting event. Partner on developing an energy-efficient district energy system. Development generally starts with surveying interest in the community and completing a feasibility study and financial analysis. If district energy makes sense, hire contractor(s) to design and construct the project. Once complete, showcase the project with on-site kiosks, a municipal webpage, and/or ribbon-cutting event. • Microgrid feasibility study completed • Microgrid completed • Feasibility study for district energy completed • District energy system installed and operational • NJBPU’s Town Center Distributed Energy Resource Microgrid program • US DOE’s Microgrid Guide for Publicly Owned Critical Infrastructure • International District Energy Association’s Community Energy: Planning Development and Delivery Guide • Preservation Green Lab’s The Role of District Energy in Greening Existing Neighborhoods • Electric utility • School/school districts • Business centers • Colleges and universities • Downtown business associations • Natural gas/electric utility • Downtown business associations • Construction companies IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: IMPACT: DIFFICULTY: CHECK IF DOING: Measures of Success Measures of Success Resources Resources Potential Stakeholders Potential Stakeholders Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: Comments/Rationale for NOT including this Initiative: 7.3 Develop Local Microgrid 7.4 Develop/Participate in a District Energy System STRATEGY 7: EXPAND THE CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION ECONOMY Not relevant to the City Not relevant to the City PART 2: TEMPLATE 22 1.2 Train First Responders on EV and EVSE Initiative: PART II: Template Example EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated funding sources: Anticipated initiative length: • Emergency Medical Services • Police • Fire Department • No current training is offered, planning to use free offering from National Fire Protection Association • Will train new first responders annually 1. Joe Smith will register for access to NFPA training. 2. Joe Smith will send email to all first responder departments with link to NFPA training and request that all current members complete it by a specified date. 3. Joe Smith will schedule next training for same month next year. Departments involved: Next steps: (specific and tangible): • First responder departments are often very busy, training should be scheduled around immediate priorities Obstacles/Barriers: 1: Transportation 3/2022 N/A (no cost) Ongoing (annual) Medium Joe Smith, President of EMS Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): PART 2: TEMPLATE 23 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 1: Transportation Sector 2: Train first responders on EV/EVSE Administration <18 mo Mod Dept budgets, state/fed incentives Ongoing Police Fire Administration - Overcoming preconceived notions, biases, misinformation Status: Not started MoS: Training held, and policy established for ongoing training 1. Administrator to with Department heads to determine if trainings already part of routine 2. Department heads to identify suitable courses on EV/EVSE 3. Determine appropriate frequency for trainings, schedule of topics 4. Establish training schedule and specifications in department policies moving forward. PART 2: TEMPLATE 24 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 1: Transportation Sector Building Public works Status: Not started MoS: Training held, and policy established for ongoing training None anticipated 1. Work with Department heads to determine if trainings already part of routine. 2. Department heads to identify suitable courses on EV/EVSE 3. Determine appropriate frequency for trainings, schedule of topics 4. Establish training schedule and specifications in department policies moving forward. Green Team, Administration <18 months Dept budgets, state/fed incentives Ongoing Moderate 3: Train non-emergency staff on EV/EVSE PART 2: TEMPLATE 25 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 1: Transportation Sector Public Works Fire Police Parks/Rec Buildings Senior Services Finance Status: Seeking grant funding MoS: -Strategic plan prioritizing vehicles in fleet to replace with AFVs • Fleet charging infrastructure installed for municipal vehicles • First battery electric vehicle added to municipal fleet • At least 6.5% of municipal vehicles are electric - Buy-in from department heads/drivers - Learning curve for driving EVs - Competing for grants - Paying for local portion of vehicle costs (cost minus grants/incentives) - Equipping facilities with charging stations 1. Fleet manager to assess maintenance/fueling costs and usage rates of existing fleet vehicles to identify priority vehicles for replacement / electrification; 2. Facilities manager to assess readiness of relevant buildings for necessary EV charging capabilities to support EV fleet; 3. City to direct grant writers and other relevant professionals/staff to monitor for and pursue grant programs for EVs and EVSE to acquire vehicles prioritized for acquisition and necessary charging equipment 4. City to revisit the process on an ongoing, quarterly, or semi-annual basis in order to be take advantage of all grant opportunities. Fleet Manager Immediate State, federal grants/loan programs Ongoing High 4: Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles PART 2: TEMPLATE 26 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 1: Transportation Sector Fleet manager Public works Fire Police Parks/Rec Building Senior Services Green Team Status: Normal maintenance procedures Status: Fleet manager in place who maintains fleet inventory MoS: • Annual driver training established • 20% reduction in fleet emissions within 4-year span - Driver buy-in to fuel saving initiatives - Supply chain issues or other barriers to installing fuel saving equipment and accessories 1. Green team and department heads to identify relevant fuel saving practices; 2. Department policies regarding vehicle usage to be updated to encourage fuel saving practices; 3. Green team to provide educational materials for distribution to staff who drive fleet vehicles; 4. Fleet manager to identify vehicles that are suitable for fuel saving upgrades, and advocate for such upgrades to the City administrative and elected officials Fleet Manager, Department Heads Immediate General funds, grants Ongoing Moderate 5: Improve municipal fleet efficiency PART 2: TEMPLATE 27 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 1: Transportation Sector -Parks and Recreation -Public Works -Facilities manager -Grant writing, engineering, and planning consultants Status: City pursuing funding for EV charging stations MoS: • First public EV charging station installed • 2 public EV charging stations per 10,000 residents - Competing for funding for equipment - Identifying optimal locations for EVSE - Selecting networked versus non-networked - Ensuring that equipment is regularly maintained kept in working order - Preventing vandalism 1. City to task planning and engineering professionals to identify priority areas for first EVSE installations based on commercial activity, public services, parking turnover rates, public lots with spaces reserved for apartment residents, areas with older apartment buildings least likely to have EVSE, etc. 2. Instruct grant writers to pursue grants for public infrastructure based upon findings in phase 1 3. Educate the public about the benefits of public EV and dispel myths about their harms and risks, hold ground-breaking for first EV station 4. Continue to monitor for grant opportunities and EV adoption trends in the City. Green Team, facilities manager <1 year State, federal, private grants Five years high 6: Install public EV charging infrastructure PART 2: TEMPLATE 28 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 1: Transportation Sector - Administration - Mayor and Council -Grant writing professionals Status: No program at this time Measure of Success: • Municipal staff/green team meet with 5+ local employers • 3 workplace EV charging stations installed thanks to outreach • 2 workplace EV chargers per 100 businesses in the municipality - Buy-in from business/property owners 1. Green Team to create materials advertising benefits of workplace EV and grants/incentives for installation; 2. Materials to be distributed with other regular mailers from municipality, published on municipal social networking pages, municipal web page; 3. Rewards and/or local incentives for installations to be determined by governing body and administrative staff 4. Grant writers to identify EVSE grants that permit municipalities to partner with large employers to install lots on private properties - City to identify and select partners (large employment property owners) for initiatives. Green team < 1 year TBD Three years Low 8: Encourage workplace EV installations PART 2: TEMPLATE 29 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 2: Renewable Energy - Planning consultant - Engineering consultant - Legal consultant - Building Department - Planning Board - Governing Body Status: Solar is not mentioned in the City code Measures of Success: • Pass solar-friendly ordinance • Expedite/eliminate zoning permit • Establish flat fee for permitting - Public perception and misconceptions of solar panels in residential neighborhoods - Expediting permitting process without sacrificing public safety, quality of living and working spaces 1. City administrator or elected officials to instruct consultants and building department to prepare a draft ordinance and permit based on model ordinances and best practices elsewhere; 2. Drafts reviewed, duly adopted and enforced Governing Body, Administration <1 year TBD <6 months Moderate 1: Adopt Supportive Zoning for Private Solar PART 2: TEMPLATE 30 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 2: Renewable Energy - Planning consultant - Engineering consultant - Legal consultant - Building Department - Planning Board - Governing Body Status: Solar is not mentioned in the City code Measures of Success: • Zoning ordinance adopted enabling large-scale solar projects • Municipal point of contact established for community solar developers • Site designated as development zone to host community solar - Public perception of large solar facilities - Availability of appropriate buildings for large scale solar facilities - Expediting permitting process without sacrificing public safety, quality of living and working spaces 1. City administrator or elected officials to instruct consultants and building department to prepare a draft ordinance and permit based on model ordinances and best practices elsewhere; 2. Drafts reviewed, duly adopted and enforced Governing Body, Administration <1 TBD <6 months Moderate 3: Adopt Zoning and Permitting for Community Solar PART 2: TEMPLATE 31 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 2: Renewable Energy Building Department Status: Current training curriculum does not include solar installations Measures of Success: • Training for relevant departments • Cross-train building, zoning, inspection, and permitting staff • Policy for ongoing training None anticipated 1. Administration/Green Team to work with Building Department to require regular training on solar 2. Building department to incorporate new training into policies and procedures Administration/Green Team <1 year TBD Ongoing Moderate 5: Train non-emergency staff on solar PART 2: TEMPLATE 32 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 2: Renewable Energy Facilities manager Public Works School Board Finance Status: Solar installations on some public buildings Measure of Success: • Contract with a developer to buy or lease a renewable installation on municipal property • Implement outreach illustrating the benefits of renewable energy to the community using the municipal project - Age and readiness of buildings for rooftop solar (quality of roof, electrical systems) - Educating City decision makers and the public about the costs and benefits of solar installations on different buildings - Determining purpose of installation > back of meter versus front of meter (i.e. power public building or return to grid) 1. Contract out a Solar Feasibility Study to determine potential solar electric generation from building roofs, parking decks, parking, lots in comparison to electric usage. 2. Use results of Study to select identify projects with greatest payoff potential, including potential savings from generating power for on-site use versus potential revenues from leasing space to solar developers. 3. Conduct bidding process to develop systems and manage sale of renewable energy certificates. Governing body, administration <2 years State, federal grant programs 3 years Moderate 6: Install on-site municipal renewable energy PART 2: TEMPLATE 33 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 2: Renewable Energy Administration Governing Body Finance Facilities manager Status: City does not host any community solar projects Measure of Success: • Agreement with developer to host a project • Municipality serves as project anchor subscriber - Community familiarity of Community Solar Program - Competition for participation in BPU program 1. If findings under initiative 2.6 identify appropriate public sites for Community Solar developments, the City will RFP for developers to host community solar installations on those sites Green Team, Admin, Governing Body <1 year TBD 3 year moderate 13: Host a Community Solar Project PART 2: TEMPLATE 34 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 3: Energy Efficiency Buildings Facilities Manager Finance Status: Audits and retrofits completed in 2011 and 2015 by BOE and Housing Authority Measure of Success: • Apply for Local Government Energy Audit or Engineered Solutions audit, if eligible • Achieve 20% annual energy savings for one building • Achieve 20% annual energy savings across the municipal building portfolio - Communicating costs and benefits of programs to administration and governing body - Separating out building-by-building energy usage in PSE&G in order to track energy use at a building level rather than a system-wide level. 1. Collect historical energy usage for municipal buildings in order to determine which energy efficiency programs each building is eligible for (some programs have minimum energy consumption threshold), independently or with Technical Assistance from Sustainable Jersey. 2. Create a Energy Star Portfolio Manager and enter energy usage data to begin evaluating usage patterns, identify areas to reduce waste. 3. City to RFP for energy auditor or use pre-selected auditor from PSE&G based upon the incentive program selected. 4. City to select most appropriate efficiency improvements option presented by auditor based on City's needs and financing options. 5. City to implement energy efficiency improvements process. Administration, Green Team <1 year BPU, DEP, EDA, IRA 2 years Moderate 1: Upgrade Energy Efficiency for Muni. Facilities PART 2: TEMPLATE 35 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 3: Energy Efficiency Tax collector Administration Measures of Success: • Outreach team training with Sustainable Jersey -5% of businesses participate in Direct Install program during the campaign - Preparing outreach materials in variety of languages - Identifying best medium to reach commercial property owners and businesses 1. The City will apply for technical assistance and outreach campaign grant funding from Sustainable Jersey to facilitate and expedite the creation of a commercial outreach campaign. 2. Green Team will assist Sustainable Jersey as appropriate or take the lead to generate outreach materials advertising energy efficiency incentive programs to business owners and commercial property owners in various languages; 3. Materials to be distributed in regular mailers, posted on City website and social pages, announced during public hearings. Green Team <2 years TBD Ongoing Low 3:. Commercial Outreach PART 2: TEMPLATE 36 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 4: Building Sector Clerk/Administration Measure of Success: • Information about benchmarking and commissioning posted to municipal website • Major building owner agrees to have buildings benchmarked and commissioned - Identifying best medium to reach property owners to encourage them to use benchmarking and commissioning to reduce energy waste. 1. Green Team to generate materials communicating the benefits and options for energy benchmarking and commissioning 2. Materials to be distributed by mailers, published on the City website and social pages, in City offices, and mentioned in regular meetings. 3. Green Team or City to use social media and public meetings to highlight property owners who undergo benchmarking/commissioning as result of this outreach. Green Team <2 years TBD Ongoing Low 2: Existing Building Benchmarking and Commissioning PART 2: TEMPLATE 37 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 4: Building Sector Administration Building Department Zoning Officer Planning Consultant Land Use Boards Measures of Success: • Green Development Checklist published • Municipal ordinance requires developers to submit a completed Green Development Checklist • Major new development utilizes recommendations from Green Development Checklist - Ensuring that applicants and reviewing staff and boards are aware of the new checklist and enforce its completion 1. City governing body and administration to instruct the Building Department and City Planning consultants to prepare a green checklist. 2. Completed checklist to be prepared 3. Ordinance/Resolutions to be adopted requiring developers to complete the checklist and Boards/officers to review the checklist as part of application consideration. 4. Boards and Officers to require applicants to incorporate checklist items into projects. 5. Boards and their professionals to encourage adoption of practices in the checklist where appropriate and applicable to the development. Governing Body <1 year none anticipated Ongoing Moderate 3: Require developers to complete green checklist PART 2: TEMPLATE 38 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 4: Building Sector Building Department Finance Department Clerk Measures of Success: • Information on NJCEP’s New Construction Energy Efficiency incentive programs distributed via multiple mediums • Major new development utilizes NJCEP program(s) - Identifying best media for communicating to developers - Obtaining developer buy-in 1. Green Team to develop materials targeting developers, including information on energy efficiency programs to be attached to development application materials and checklists. 2. Building Department and other relevant Departments to include outreach materials in mailers, digital and physical application packages. Green Team <2 years PSE&G, or Clean Energy Program Ongoing Low 4: Conduct outreach targeting new construction PART 2: TEMPLATE 39 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 6: Community Energy Planning Clerk Finance Housing Authority Board of Education Measures of Success: • Hold an event specifically targeting LMI residents for energy efficiency programs - Distribute educational materials to LMI residents for energy efficiency programs • 5% of eligible residents participate in income-qualifying state/utility energy efficiency programs - Language barriers - Scheduling obstacles for events (childcare, etc) 1. Green team to generate materials to educate LMI households about energy efficiency programs and energy bill support programs in multiple languages and targeted towards renters 2. Green team to hold event to educate LMI public about these programs 3. Green team to work with other departments to distribute these programs to public housing residents, parents of public school students, etc. Green Team <2 years PSE&G, other Ongoing High 2: Low/Mod Income Outreach PART 2: TEMPLATE 40 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 6: Community Energy Planning Land Use Board Building Measures of Success: • Over 51% of community solar project capacity reserved for LMI residents • Discount of 15% or more to LMI subscribers of community solar project None anticipated 1. If City hosts community solar project on public property, RFP for developer will require minimum 51% of capacity to be reserved for LMI households with a discount of 15% or more Administration/Governing Body <3 years none anticipated Ongoing High 4: Support Low/Mod Income Community Solar Subscription PART 2: TEMPLATE 41 Sustainable Jersey Community Energy Guide: Initiative Planning Template Initiative: EMP Strategy: Initiative lead: Anticipated initiative length: Departments involved: Obstacles/Barriers: Initiative start date: Priority for muni: Anticipated funding sources: Next steps: (specific and tangible): Community notes (include current status, selected measure of success): 6: Community Energy Planning Measures of Success: • Hold an event specifically targeting community-serving institutions for energy efficiency programs • In UEZ or Opportunity Zone, if any exist in municipality • 5% of eligible entities participate in a state/utility energy efficiency program 1. Green team to hold event or events with community serving institutions to promote energy saving opportunities that can be passed down to the community Green Team <2 years PSE&G, other Ongoing Moderate 5: Outreach to Community Serving Institutions APPENDIX 2 IDLING REDUCTION SAVINGS CALCULATOR Idling Reduction Savings Calculator For an interactive Excel version of this calculator, please go to http://www.transportation.anl.gov/downloads/idling_worksheet.xls. Calculate Costs for Avoidable Idling gallons/hour hours/year X = gallons/year How much fuel is used for idling? (If you don’t know, see reference table on reverse.) Realistically, how many hours each year might you use idling reduction (IR) devices instead of idling? /gallon $ What is the price of fuel? X Avoidable Idling Fuel Costs = /year + $ gallons/hour X hours/year 1 2 /oil change ÷ miles/oil change = /year + $ $ 3 4 = /overhaul or replacement ÷ miles/overhaul or replacement $ /year $ How much does an engine overhaul or new vehicle cost? How many miles between overhauls or vehicle replacement? 5 How many miles between oil changes? How much does an oil change cost? Add values in right-hand column Preventive Maintenance Cost1 Overhaul or Replacement Cost1 /year $ Total Avoidable Idling Costs = Calculate Costs for Idling Reduction (IR) – Device and/or Electrified Parking Space (EPS) 6 gallons/hour hours/year X How much fuel is used by the IR device? How many hours each year could you use IR devices instead of idling?* 7 = /year $ Operating Cost for On-board IR Device 8 /hour X hours/year $ = /year $ $ Total Operating Costs for IR Cost per hour to plug into EPS How many hours each year could you use EPSs instead of idling?* Calculate Savings from IR 9 10 = years Payback Time * Total number of hours from lines 6 and 8 should equal the number of hours in line 1. 1. TMC Recommended Practice 1108, “Analysis of Costs from Idling and Parasitic Devices for Heavy Duty Trucks” (2003). Technology & Maintenance Council, American Trucking Associations (TMC/ATA). X miles/gallon miles/year = “Miles of idling”1 (idling is like putting miles on your engine) What is your average fuel economy? = /mile $ miles/year X miles/year X = /mile $ “Miles of idling” “Miles of idling” X /gallon $ /year = $ Price of fuel (same as price listed in line 1) Fuel cost for IR device /year /year + $ $ Maintenance cost for IR device = /year /year + $ Cost to plug in $ /year saved $ ÷ Capital cost of on-board IR device SAVINGS Line 5 − Line 8 = gallons/year A B A B = gallons saved/year How Much Fuel Is Used for Idling? Vehicle Type Class Fuel Type Size Indicator Idling Fuel Use (gal/h) Source Engine Size (l) GVWR (lb) No load With load Passenger Car (Ford Focus) 1 G 2 − 0.16 0.29 ANL 1 Passenger Car (Volkswagen Jetta) 1 D 2 − 0.17 0.39 ANL 1 Passenger Car (Ford Crown Victoria) 1 G 4.6 − 0.39 0.59 ANL 1 & 2 Medium Heavy Truck 6 G 5–7 19,700–26,000 0.84 − WVU Delivery Truck 5 D − 19,500 0.84 1.11 NREL Tow Truck 6 D − 26,000 0.59 1.142 ORNL Medium Heavy Truck 6–7 D 6–10 23,000–33,000 0.44 − WVU Transit Bus 7 D − 30,000 0.97 − ORNL Combination Truck 7 D − 32,000 0.49 − ORNL Bucket Truck 8 D − 37,000 0.90 1.502 ORNL Tractor-Semitrailer 8 D − 80,000 0.64 1.153,1 TMC Other Idling Reduction Resources n IdleBox www.cleancities.energy.gov/idlebox n IdleBase http://cleancities.energy.gov/idlebase n National Idling Reduction Network News energy.gov/eere/vehicles/vehicle-technologies-office-national-idling-reduction-network-news n Argonne National Laboratory http://www.transportation.anl.gov/engines/idling.html n Alternative Fuels Data Center http://www.afdc.energy.gov/conserve/idle_reduction_basics.html D = diesel. G = gasoline. Gal = gallon(s). GVWR = gross vehicle weight rating. h = hour(s). l = liter(s). lb = pound(s). PTO = power take-off. 1. High idle. 2. PTO on. 3. Air conditioning on. Sources ANL 1: Stutenberg, K., and Lohse-Busch, H. “APRF [Advanced Powertrain Research Facility at Argonne National Laboratory] Conventional Vehicles Snapshot Study.” Presentation to U.S. DOE, December 2, 2012. ANL 2: Rask, E.; Keller, G.; Lohse-Busch, H.; et al. (2013). “Final Report: Police Cruiser Fuel Consumption Characterization.” Work performed by Argonne National Laboratory for the Illinois Tollway Authority. NREL: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Project Draft Final Report for the Period August 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014, “Data Collection, Testing and Analysis of Hybrid Electric Trucks and Buses Operating in California Fleets.” ARB Agreement Number 11-600, NREL Contract Number FIA-12-1763, April 15, 2014. ORNL: Lascurain, M.B.; Franzese, O.; Capps, G.; et al. (2012). Medium Truck Duty Cycle Data from Real-World Driving Environments: Project Final Report (ORNL/TM-2012/240). Work performed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. DOE. TMC: TMC Recommended Practice 1108, “Analysis of Costs from Idling and Parasitic Devices for Heavy Duty Trucks” (2003). Technology & Maintenance Council, American Trucking Associations (TMC/ATA). WVU: Khan, ABM S.; Clark, N.N.; Gautam, M.; et al. (2009). “Idle Emissions from Medium Heavy Duty Diesel and Gasoline Trucks.” Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (59:3) 354–359. APPENDIX 3 MODEL SOLAR SUPPORTIVE ZONING ORDINANCE Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 GUIDANCE FOR CREATING A SOLAR FRIENDLY ORDINANCE The purpose of this Sustainable Jersey Guidance document is to assist municipalities in crafting a solar ordinance that meets the objectives outlined in the Make Your Town EV Friendly Action and that is best suited to each community’s character and land use objectives. Discussion and sample language regarding the following areas is included in this guidance: Intent/Background/Purpose -- Address goals and benefits of solar/renewable energy Definitions -- Define solar technologies and terms General Regulations -- Address issues such as height, size, setbacks, and lot coverage Permitting Fees -- Establish permitting fees for residential rooftop solar PV installations INTENT/BACKGROUND/PURPOSE o The purpose will generally highlight the benefits of solar for the community: environmental, energy security, economic, etc. o If the ordinance is a “stand-alone” ordinance, the municipality may wish to tie the regulations back to New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law by referencing applicable language that may apply to solar (e.g., health, safety, welfare). This section should: o Clarify a municipality’s rationale for establishing a solar energy ordinance in language that is compatible with existing local land use plans and zoning code. o Clarify the types of solar systems the municipality is protecting through the ordinance (small- scale, utility scale, etc.). Sample Language for Intent/Background/Purpose: The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide a clear-cut regulatory system for solar energy, a renewable and non-polluting energy resource that reduces fossil fuel emissions, including greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. The specific goals of the [Master Plan/Climate Plan] of [Municipality] support renewable energy and the use of solar energy is encouraged by New Jersey legislation. OR The purpose of the Ordinance is to facilitate the construction, installation and operation of Solar Energy Facilities in [Municipality] in a manner that protects public health, safety and welfare and avoids significant impacts to protected resources such as important agricultural lands, endangered Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 species, high value biological habitats and other protected resources. It is the intent of this ordinance to encourage solar facilities that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, increase local economic development and job creation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, assist New Jersey in meeting its Renewable Portfolio Standards, and/or promote economic development diversification. OR The purpose of this ordinance is to provide a regulatory framework for the construction of Solar Energy Systems in [Municipality], subject to reasonable restrictions, which will preserve the public health, safety, and welfare, while also maintaining the character of [Municipality]. OR The purpose of this ordinance is to provide for the use of solar energy, including specifications related to the land development, installation and construction of solar energy systems in [Municipality], subject to reasonable conditions to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. This section applies to solar energy systems to be installed and constructed on any property. What NOT to do Purpose sections should not: include specific goals such as number of megawatts (MW) or number of projects; make reference to specific types of technology that could quickly become outdated or impractical. Not specifying PV system size and/or technology allows for innovation and advancement in PV technology where a smaller amount of land or roof space could result in a larger capacity system (as measured in W or kW). DEFINITIONS o Each municipality should consider its requirements for the types of solar facilities it envisions for its community when considering which definitions to utilize in the Ordinance. o Any term used in the text of the ordinance must be defined. The definition of each term can greatly impact how an ordinance is enforced; providing accurate definitions of these terms will ensure clarity in the enforcement of the ordinance. Definitions may be included in the body of the alternative energy ordinance, if it is a stand-alone ordinance, or may be incorporated into the Definitions section of the solar ordinance. This section should: o Clearly define each term specific to solar energy systems included in the ordinance. o Provide separate definitions for small scale accessory use (Solar Energy System) and utility scale principal use (Solar Energy Facility) so that they can be regulated distinctly. o Provide definitions of solar energy system types such as: roof-mounted, ground-mounted, and building-integrated. Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 Sample Language for Definitions: Solar Energy System – Accessory Use An energy system that consists of one or more solar collection devices, solar energy related “balance of system” equipment, and other associated infrastructure with the primary intention of generating electricity, storing electricity, or otherwise converting solar energy to a different form of energy. Solar energy systems may generate energy in excess of the energy requirements of a property only if it is to be sold back to a public utility in accordance with the NJ Net Metering law [see Note below on net-metering in New Jersey]. OR A solar energy system – accessory use consists of one (1) or more photovoltaic, concentrated solar thermal, or solar hot water devices either free-standing ground, building integrated or roof mounted, as well as related equipment which is intended for the purpose of reducing or meeting the energy needs of the property’s principal use. These definitions include physically what a solar energy system is (can be solar hot water or PV), how it is to be used. These definitions apply only to accessory use systems. These definitions do not allow utility- scale use. Note on net-metering in New Jersey: Net metering helps customers maximize their renewable energy investments. It enables customers to obtain full retail credits on their utility bill for each kWh of electricity their system produces up to 100% of their electricity usage over the course of a year. When a renewable energy system produces more electricity than the customer actually uses, the customer will be compensated with credits at the full retail value of the electricity for the production over and above what they use. For example, on a typical sunny day at moderate temperatures, a customer with a solar system may use less electricity than the system actually generates. When electricity production exceeds usage, the utility meter will spin backwards and provide the customer with credits for the excess energy produced. These credits can be used by customers as needed. For more information, see: http://www.njcleanenergy.com/renewable- energy/programs/net-metering-and-interconnection Solar Energy Facility – Principal Use An alternative energy facility that consists of one or more ground-mounted, free-standing, or building-integrated solar collection devices, solar energy related equipment and other associated infrastructure with the primary intention of generating electricity or otherwise converting solar energy to a different form of energy for primarily off-site use. OR Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 An area of land or other area (e.g. parking lot canopy, landfill, brownfield, etc.) used for a solar collection system principally used to capture solar energy, convert it to electrical energy or thermal power and supply electrical or thermal power primarily for off-site use. Principal solar energy systems consist of one (1) or more free-standing ground, or roof mounted solar collector devices, solar related equipment and other accessory structures and buildings including light reflectors, concentrators, and heat exchangers, substations, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant structures. This definition applies to ordinances that choose to address utility-scale solar energy facilities. Such facilities would be considered a principal use. Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System A solar energy system that is directly installed on solar racking systems, which are attached to an anchor in the ground and wired to connect to an adjacent home or building. Ground-mounted systems may be appropriate when insufficient space, structural and shading issues, or other restrictions prohibit rooftop solar. A ground mounted solar energy system is a subset or particular type of solar energy system that may require additional restrictions or review. Municipalities may wish to impose specific regulations on ground-mounted solar energy systems, in which case, a definition would be important to include. Solar Farm or Solar Garden A set of solar collection devices designed to capture sunlight and convert it to electricity primarily for offsite consumption and use; some electricity may be used by an onsite building or structure. Solar gardens can be designed as community solar systems in which community members can own shares in the solar system; subscribe to receive the generated solar power; or can purchase the output of the solar system to offset their own utility bills. [Sample language for solar gardens from: Southern NH Planning Commission. Solar Friendly Best Planning Practices, p. 4: snhpc.org/pdf/ FinalSolarResourceGuide2015.pdf] What NOT to do • Definition section should not specify the electrical size of the PV system (i.e. defining a small scale system as equal to or less than 100 kW). Not specifying PV system size allows for innovation and advancement in PV technology where a smaller amount of land or roof space could result in a larger capacity system (as measured in W or kW). • Definitions sections should not address concerns about system siting; these concerns should be addressed through appropriate use, setback, or height restrictions to ensure that the land use and siting goals are met no matter the system size. This allows more flexibility to those who wish to site or install solar on their roof. Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 GENERAL REGULATIONS The general regulations are guidelines or added requirements that may be integrated into the local review process. This section of the ordinance can present regulations that the municipality may include in the ordinance, such as height, setbacks, aesthetics/screening, and impervious coverage. This section should clarify approval standards that: may be imposed upon specific types of solar energy systems (i.e., ground-mounted/freestanding versus roof-mounted); may be imposed upon specific districts; or may be generally applied to all solar energy systems. Setbacks Ground-Mounted: For ground-mounted solar energy systems, setback requirements can help alleviate aesthetic and safety concerns, yet overly restrictive setback requirements can limit the available space in which a solar PV array can be sited. Since solar PV panels rely on adequate access to sunlight, municipalities may want to consider easing setback requirements for ground-mounted solar PV systems. Sample Language for Ground-Mounted: The location of the Ground-Mounted System shall meet all applicable accessory-use setback requirements of the zoning district in which it is located. OR All Ground-Mounted Systems shall be set back a distance of ____ feet from any property line in a residential zoning district or in conformance with the area and bulk standards for accessory structures in commercial districts as provided herein. OR Ground-Mounted Systems shall not be permitted in a front yard unless the applicant demonstrates that the rear yard locations will not result in acceptable solar access. Roof-Mounted: Setback regulations for roof-mounted systems can ensure that adequate pathways exist for access along roof edges and ridge lines for first responders in case of a fire or for maintenance crews in the case of system repair. The minimum construction requirements can be found in the NJ Editions of the National Electrical Code, International Building Code (and by reference, International Fire Code), and International Residential Code, as applicable. Items not covered within these codes may be added to a local ordinance. Sample Language for Roof-Mounted: The design of the solar energy system shall conform to applicable local, state and national solar codes and standards. A building permit reviewed by department staff shall be obtained for a Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 solar energy system. All design and installation work shall comply with all applicable provisions in the National Electric Code (NEC), the International Residential Code (IRC), International Commercial Building Code, State Fire Code, and any additional requirements set forth by the local utility (for any grid-connected solar systems). [Sample language from: Solar Simplified, p. 9: solarsimplified.org/zoning/solar-zoning-toolbox/solarzoningordinance] Height: Height regulations can help alleviate local land use concerns over aesthetics (e.g. how much of the system can be seen from the street). However, height restrictions can prevent a solar PV system from being installed if the building on which it is sited is already at maximum allowed height if the municipality does not specify an exemption for the system in its ordinance. Separate height language options are provided for sloped and flat roofs. In communities with both sloped and flat roof types, it may be most appropriate to include separate regulations by roof type. Sample Language for Height Regulations: Height – Sloped Roof For a roof-mounted system installed on a sloped roof, the highest point of the system shall not exceed the highest point of the roof to which it is attached as allowed by setback requirements. Height – Flat Roof For a roof-mounted system installed on a flat roof, the highest point of the system shall be permitted to exceed the district’s height limit by up to fifteen (15) feet above the rooftop to which it is attached. Height – Ground-Mounted Ground-mounted or freestanding solar energy systems shall not exceed applicable maximum accessory structure height in the zoning district in which the solar energy system is located. Height – Parking Canopies A solar energy system may exceed the applicable maximum accessory structure height if it will cover an impervious surface parking area. Height may not exceed the height of the primary structure that the parking area serves. Minimum height of the parking canopy must allow clearance for emergency service and service vehicles. What NOT to do If an ordinance is designed and enforced properly, the height and setback restrictions should alleviate aesthetic concerns about solar PV systems. Therefore, municipalities should not over-regulate for aesthetic concerns such as: conspicuous panels that are visible from the street, conspicuous equipment tied to the panels, or glare. Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: HISTORIC DISTRICTS Municipalities with historic districts should work with their Historic Preservation Commission to determine whether there will be restrictions on solar PV installations in historic districts that will require review. If design guidelines, siting restrictions, or review requirements exist, they should be laid out explicitly in the ordinance to ensure that a clear and understandable review process is known to the applicant. Review processes add time and added labor cost through delayed installations, so municipalities should attempt to make solar provisions for historic districts minimally restrictive. Below are two examples of design guidelines for installing solar on historic properties. Implementing Solar PV Projects on Historic Buildings and in Historic Districts, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/51297.pdf Installing Solar Panels on Historic Buildings, North Carolina Solar Center: nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Installing-Solar-Panels-on-Historic- Buildings_FINAL_2012.pdf Solar Panels on Historic Properties, National Park Service: www.nps.gov/tps/sustainability/new-technology/solar-on-historic.htm Sample Language for Historic Districts: Solar energy systems within a historic district or on a historic resource property are not permitted unless written approval or a Certificate of Appropriateness has been granted by the Historic Preservation Commission as established by [historic preservation ordinance]. OR All solar energy systems/facilities within [historic district/overlay/etc.] or on a historic resource property as defined by [the municipal inventory/register/etc.] must follow the administrative procedures required by [historic preservation ordinance]. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: TREES While it is true that shade of any kind interferes with a solar energy system’s ability to operate, removing trees to install solar technology is generally not recommended. However, there are legitimate arguments for and against removing trees to accommodate solar panels. There is no clear right answer and much of the calculus depends on the values and objectives of each community. Municipalities are encouraged to consider if this is an issue warranting local regulation. If there is an existing tree protection ordinance, for example, the municipality can determine if solar panels should be given any special consideration and amend the ordinance accordingly. Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 PERMITTING FEES Using a flat-fee method instead of a value-based method to assess permit fees streamlines the process and ensures that larger residential solar energy systems are not arbitrarily penalized. Fees should fairly reflect the time needed for city staff to review and issue a permit as these costs to the municipality remain constant regardless of system size for standard residential roof-mounted arrays. The permitting fee ordinance should: Establish reasonable residential permit fees in line with NJAC 5:23-4.20: NJAC 5:23-4.20 (c) 2. iii. (13) For photovoltaic systems, the fee shall be based on the designated kilowatt rating of the solar photovoltaic system as follows: (A) One to 50 kilowatts, the fee shall be $ 65.00; (B) Fifty-one to 100 kilowatts, the fee shall be $ 129.00; and (C) Greater than 100 kilowatts, the fee shall be $ 640.00. The municipality should strive to set a fee that covers the cost of average plan review and inspections. To set the fee, the municipality can multiply the billable hourly rates for staff involved in the review process that can be expected for 80% of permit submittals. Examples of these calculations are provided in the Department of Energy SunShot document Best Management Practices for Solar Installation, which can be found at: marc.org/Environment/Energy/pdf/BMP-Process-Step-2-1-A-Standardize-Permit- Fees.aspx What NOT to do Fees based on the size or value of the solar PV installation unfairly penalize homeowners even though the cost to process the permit application for both systems is approximately the same. For example, the permit application for a smaller residential solar PV system costs the municipality approximately the same amount to process as a larger residential solar PV system, but a value-based fee structure can result in higher fees being assessed for the larger system. Fees should be set that reflect the time needed for staff to process the application. Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 Resources Zoning and Permitting Background Documents American Planning Association (APA). Briefing Papers #3: Integrating Solar into Local Plans. www.planning.org/research/solar/briefingpapers/localplans.htm American Planning Association (APA). Briefing Papers #4: Integrating Solar into Local Development Regulations. www.planning.org/research/solar/briefingpapers/localdevelopmentregulations.htm American Planning Association (APA). Briefing Papers #5: Balancing Solar Energy Use with Potential Competing Interests. [includes guidance on historic districts and trees] www.planning.org/research/solar/briefingpapers/potentialcompetinginterests.htm Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Renewable Energy Ordinance Framework for Solar PV. www.dvrpc.org/EnergyClimate/ModelOrdinance/Solar/pdf/2016_DVRPC_Solar_REOF_Reformatted_Fin al.pdf EnergizeCT. Connecticut Rooftop Solar PV Permitting Guide. www.energizect.com/sites/default/files/uploads/%281%29%20CT%20Rooftop%20Solar%20PV%20Perm itting%20Guide%20v1.0.pdf Grow Solar. Creating “Solar Ready” Communities: Three State Regional Analysis (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois). www.growsolar.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Three-State-Regional-Analysis.pdf Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and VoteSolar. Project Permit: Best Practices in Residential Solar Permitting. projectpermit.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Solar-Permitting-Best-Practices_May2013.pdf Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Simplifying the Solar Permitting Process: Residential Solar Permitting Best Practices Explained. www.irecusa.org/publications/residential-solar-permitting-best-practices-explained/ Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Questions and Answers: Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Systems. www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/renewables/solar/solar-pv-guide.pdf Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC, Massachusetts). Guide to Streamlining the Solar PV Permitting Process and Developing Supportive Zoning Bylaws. www.mapc.org/system/files/bids/Solar%20Permitting%20and%20Zoning%20Bylaws.pdf Minnesota. Local Government Solar Toolkit: Planning, Zoning, and Permitting. www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/MinnesotaPZPToolkit1.pdf Sustainable Jersey Guidance for Creating A Solar Friendly Zoning Ordinance Version 1.0 April 2017 State of Washington Department of Commerce. Planning and Zoning: Opportunities for Local Governments to Support Rooftop Solar. nwsolarcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ESSP_PlanningZoning.pdf U.S. Department of Energy. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments. www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/47692.pdf Sample Zoning Ordinances Borough of Glassboro (Gloucester County, NJ). Chapter 107. Development Regulations. Article IV. Design and Performance Standards.§ 107-72. Solar energy systems. [Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 09-45] ecode360.com/12606957 City of Chicago Solar Zoning Ordinance. www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Sustainable_Development/Publications/City_of_C hicago_Solar_Zoning_Policy_Updated.pdf Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission. Solar Friendly Best Planning Practices for New Hampshire Communities: A Quick Resource Guide for Planning Boards and Municipal Officials in Crafting Solar Friendly Regulations and Developing Solar Friendly Communities in New Hampshire. www.snhpc.org/pdf/FinalSolarResourceGuide2015.pdf Utah Clean Energy. Solar Simplified Model Solar Zoning Ordinance. www.solarsimplified.org/permitting/solar-zoning-toolbox Western Pennsylvania Rooftop Solar Challenge. Solar Installation Guidebook. www.pennfuture.org/Files/News/SunSHOT_Guide.compressed.pdf APPENDIX 4 BOULDER, CO SOLAR PV SYSTEM CHECKLIST Form: B/46 • Rev. 01.25.22 • g:/publications/building/b46-solar-photovoltaic-systems-checklist.pdf 1 Community Planning & Permitting Courthouse Annex Building 2045 13th Street PO Box 471 Boulder, CO 80302 Building Safety & Inspection Services: EZBP & License Applications, Reports & Letters ezbp@bouldercounty.org 303-441-3926 Plan Review & Building Code Questions: building@bouldercounty.org 720-564-2640 www.bouldercounty.org Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Publications Solar photovoltaic applications are reviewed by the county electrical inspectors. The following checklist shall be submitted with your plans. Each item on the list shall be marked to verify it is part of the submittal. Incomplete information may result in plan rejection or delay in the approval of your project. All accessory ground-mounted solar arrays require Site Plan Review Waiver (SPRW) approval as a part of the permit application. Plan Submittal Requirements All ground mounted systems require: R A completed Building Permit application form. Include the proposed PV system capacity in watts, and whether system is a stand-alone, grid-tied, or hybrid system. R A deposit (the balance of fees is due at the time of permit issuance). R Electronic PDF files are to be submitted to Building Safety & Inspection Services through the Online Application Submittals webpage at www. boco.org/CPP-application-submittal. Minimum drawing scale is ¼” per foot. For roof mounted residential systems: R A completed EZBP application form. R Electronic PDF files are to be submitted to Building Safety & Inspection Services through the Online Application Submittals webpage at www. boco.org/CPP-application-submittal. Minimum drawing scale is ¼” per foot. Site Plan - Equipment Outside a Building R Show the location of all disconnects. R Show the location of all batteries. R Show the location of inverters. R Show the location and connection of all grounding electrode conductors. R Show the clearances around all equipment. R Show dimensions between equipment and structures. R Show dimensions between equipment and property lines. R Show the layout of all the arrays and the required minimum access and pathways per section R324 of the Boulder County Building Code Amendments. Note: See the Pole or Ground Mounted Panels section on page 2 for additional site plan requirements. Floor Plan - Equipment Within a Building R Show the location of all disconnects. R Show the location of all batteries. R Show the location of inverters. R Show the location and connection of all grounding electrode conductors. R Show location of all equipment within structures. R Label the use of the room in which the equipment is placed. R Show clearances of the equipment. Plan Submittal Requirements continued on page 2 Solar Photovoltaic Systems Checklist Per 2020 NEC (National Electrical Code) Solar Photovoltaic Systems Checklist 2 Form: B/46 • Rev. 01.25.22 • g:/publications/building/b46-solar-photovoltaic-systems-checklist.pdf Wiring Requirements R Provide a one-line diagram that includes the following information: R Label whether the system is stand-alone, grid-tied, or hybrid. R Conductor sizes. R Conductor insulation types (i.e., THHN, THWN, direct burial cable, etc.). R Conductor material (i.e., copper/aluminum). R Conduit sizes. R Conduit material (i.e., non-metallic, EMT, etc.). R Over current device ratings. R Existing and new panel amperage ratings (buss ratings). R Series and parallel configuration of the module connections. Equipment Requirements R Provide product listing sheets for all equipment with the following information: R Module short circuit current ratings. R Module open circuit voltage ratings. R Module series fuse ratings. R Inverter output circuit current rating. R Inverter UL listings. R All associated documentation (i.e., batteries, inverters, disconnects, modules, charge controllers, over-current devices etc.). R Method of grounding for modules and array. R Projected kWH/year for the system. Note: Voltage correction factor is based on 125% (2020 NEC Table 690.7). Panels Roof Mounted Panels Provide the following information: R An Engineer’s evaluation regarding the dead-load capability of the existing roof structure and its ability to support the added weight of the solar photovoltaic system. The Engineer must reference the required wind and snow load for the site. If the panels project above the ridge line of the roof, this most also be part of engineers evaluation. R For flat roof installations provide method of repair for roof penetrations. Pole or Ground Mounted Panels Provide the following information: Q Site Plan to include the following: R Location of panel(s) on property. R Dimensions from panel(s) to property lines. R Dimensions from panel(s) to other structures on the property and property easements. Q Engineered footing design. Rough Solar PV Inspections Beginning Feb. 1, 2011, Boulder County began doing rough solar PV inspections. This inspection should be scheduled after the installation of the solar PV racking system, grounding, and no more than 50% of the PV modules. Roof mounted junction boxes or DC combiner boxes shall also be installed and wires terminated. In addition to the rough inspection, at the completion of the work, Building Safety and Inspection Services will conduct a final inspection. If you have questions, contact Boulder County Building Safety & Inspection Services at 720-564-2640, or email building@bouldercounty.org. APPENDIX 5 DIRECT INSTALL BROCHURE The PSE&G Direct Install Program is designed to deliver comprehensive, cost-effective, energy effi ciency equipment for eligible PSE&G business customers, with 12-month individual facility electricity average peak demand usage of less than 200 kW. PSE&G can help businesses identify energy saving opportunities as part of the PSE&G Business Energy Saver Program. Financial incentives are available to reduce the upfront cost of installing energy-saving equipment. In addition, customers can opt for repayment of the project costs with no interest, spread over a fi ve-year period, with payment billed on your monthly PSE&G bill. PSE&G’s Direct Install Program can help uncover hidden facility energy savings that can cut energy costs by as much as 30%. When the work is complete, customers repay as little as 20% of the total project cost—interest-free—over 60 months on their PSE&G bill (or in one lump-sum payment, if preferred). Business Energy Saver Program The PSE&G Business Energy Saver Program incentives help to ensure low equipment installation costs, short payback periods, and reduced energy use, leaving more money in your pocket. Savings realized through energy effi ciency improvements can provide businesses with greater opportunity to invest in their business, developing or enhancing products and services that can be revenue generators. Unlock Direct Installation Energy Savings for Your Facility Business Energy Saver Program How the program works: + The Direct Install Program team will verify customer eligibility. + A PSE&G authorized contractor will perform an energy assessment at no-cost for participating customer facilities. + The contractor will generate a proposal outlining costs, project details and participation agreements, and obtain all approvals and signatures. + The customer reviews the proposal and signs off on the proposed work. + The PSE&G authorized contractor submits fi nal paperwork for processing and project initiation. + PSE&G performs a post-installation inspection. + PSE&G provides fi nal approval process and fi nal payment notifi cation. The Direct Install Program benefi ts customers by: + Paying for 100% of up-front costs. + Providing a free on-site energy audit and detailed project cost estimate. + Recommending energy effi ciency upgrades. + Executing all work through PSE&G authorized contractors. + Lowering energy costs by installing energy-effi cient equipment. + Helping to increase facility operational effi ciencies. + Creating the foundation for business facility operational effi ciency. + Creating a safer and more comfortable workplace for employees. + Helping meet customer environmental goals by reducing the use of outdated and ineffi cient equipment and supporting lower carbon footprint standards. The US Department of Energy estimates that lighting accounts for 40% of energy consumption in commercial facilities. Of that total, 30% is used in unoccupied areas. For additional information scan this QR code or visit bizsave.PSEG.com APPENDIX 6 BUSINESS ENERGY SAVER PROGRAM GUIDE BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) October 2022_v2.4 Business Energy Saver Program Prescriptive and Custom Incentive Guide BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 2 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Commercial and Industrial Incentive Guide General Eligibility Requirements...............................................................................3 Lighting.....................................................................................................................4 HVAC.......................................................................................................................10 Heating....................................................................................................................16 Water Heating & Boilers..........................................................................................17 Refrigeration............................................................................................................19 Food Service...........................................................................................................21 Miscellaneous.........................................................................................................24 Custom...................................................................................................................26 Table of Contents This table of contents is interactive, click on the page you would like to navigate to. BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 3 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Commercial and Industrial Incentive Guide General Eligibility Requirements • The table below contains eligibility requirements and expected incentive values. Actual incentives may vary based on other program requirements and guidelines. • Eligible products must be installed and used in accordance with their rated condition. • All installations must be installed in accordance with all applicable local, state and national codes and ordinances. • Program approval is required prior to purchase and installation for custom measures. BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 4 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Lighting LIGHTING Interior Fixtures & Retrofit Kits Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria 1 x 4 LED integrated retrofit kit $50 per fixture Eligible fixtures must be listed on DesignLights Consortium® with DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Indoor Luminaires 1 x 4 LED new luminaire rated $50 per fixture 2 x 2 LED integrated retrofit kit $30 per fixture 2 x 2 LED new luminaire $40 per fixture 2 x 4 LED integrated retrofit kit $50 per fixture 2 x 4 LED new luminaire $50 per fixture LED direct linear ambient retrofit kit 2 ft. $15 per fixture 4 ft. $15 per fixture 8 ft. $25 per fixture LED direct/indirect linear ambient new luminaire 2 ft. $30 per fixture 3 ft. $30 per fixture 4 ft. $60 per fixture 6 ft. $75 per fixture 8 ft. $100 per fixture LED Track or Mono-point Directional Lighting Fixtures $30 per fixture Eligible fixtures must be listed on DesignLights Consortium® with DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Indoor Luminaires LED Wall-Wash Luminaires $30 per fixture High Bay LED 5000 - 9,999 Lumens $100 per fixture 10,000 to 19,999 Lumens $150 per fixture 20,000 to 29,999 Lumens $200 per fixture 30,000 to 39,999 Lumens $300 per fixture • All new lighting fixtures, retrofit kits and components must carry the appropriate designated Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Electrical Testing Laboratory (ETL) label. • All installations shall be designed and installed in accordance with best practices such as the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Lighting Handbook. • DesignLights Consortium® categories are listed under the Eligibility Criteria. Installed fixtures must be listed under that category to qualify for incentives. • If the proposed equipment does not meet the eligibility requirements or is not listed below, the applicant may still may be eligible for a Custom Incentive. Contact a PSE&G representative for more details. BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 5 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Lighting LIGHTING Interior Fixtures & Retrofit Kits Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria High Bay LED ≥40,000 Lumens $400 per fixture Eligible fixtures must be listed on DesignLights Consortium® with DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Indoor Luminaires Low Bay LED 5,000 to 9,999 Lumens $100 per fixture 10,000 to 19,999 Lumens $150 per fixture 20,000 to 29,999 Lumens $200 per fixture 30,000 to 39,999 Lumens $300 per fixture ≥40,000 Lumens $400 per fixture LED Stairwell and Passageway Luminaires All Lumens $50 per fixture Exterior LED Fixtures Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria LED Architectural Flood and Spot Luminaries up to 4,999 Lumens $50 per fixture DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Outdoor Luminaires 5,000 - 9,999 Lumens $150 10,000 to 19,999 Lumens $250 20,000 to 29,999 Lumens $300 30,000 to 39,999 Lumens $400 above 40,000 Lumens $525 LED Landscape/Accent Flood and Spot Luminaires LED Parking Garage Luminaires up to 4,999 Lumens $50 per fixture DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Outdoor Luminaires 5,000 - 9,999 Lumens $150 10,000 to 19,999 Lumens $300 20,000 to 29,999 Lumens $350 30,000 to 39,999 Lumens $450 above 40,000 Lumens $400 LED Bollard Fixtures up to 4,999 Lumens $50 per fixture DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Outdoor Luminaires 5,000 - 9,999 Lumens $150 10,000 to 19,999 Lumens $175 20,000 to 29,999 Lumens $225 BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 6 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 LIGHTING Exterior LED Fixtures Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria LED Bollard Fixtures 30,000 to 39,999 Lumens $275 per fixture DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Outdoor Luminaires above 40,000 Lumens $350 LED Fuel Pump Canopy LED Outdoor Pole/Arm- Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires LED Outdoor Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires up to 4,999 Lumens $50 per fixture DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Outdoor Luminaires 5,000 - 9,999 Lumens $150 10,000 to 19,999 Lumens $300 20,000 to 29,999 Lumens $300 30,000 to 39,999 Lumens $450 above 40,000 Lumens $400 Other LED Fixtures Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Accent Light Line Voltage Bath Vanity Cove Mount up to 1,499 Lumens $15 per fixture ENERGY STAR Certified Light Fixtures 1,500 - 2,999 Lumens $30 ≥3,000 Lumens $45 Ceiling Mount Pendant (Downlight, Decorative, etc.) Recessed Downlight Wall Sconces up to 1,499 Lumens $10 per fixture ENERGY STAR Certified Light Fixtures 1,500 - 2,999 Lumens $15 ≥3,000 Lumens $20 Linear Strip Solid State Retrofit up to 1,499 Lumens $5 per fixture ENERGY STAR Certified Light Fixtures 1,500 - 2,999 Lumens $10 ≥3,000 Lumens $15 Outdoor (Various Types) Outdoor Pole-Mount up to 1,499 Lumens $30 per fixture ENERGY STAR Certified Light Fixtures 1,500 - 2,999 Lumens $30 ≥3,000 Lumens $40 Wrapped Lens up to 1,499 Lumens $5 per fixture ENERGY STAR Certified Light Fixtures 1,500 - 2,999 Lumens $20 ≥3,000 Lumens $30 PSE&G Lighting BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 7 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Lighting LIGHTING Security up to 1,499 Lumens $20 per fixture ENERGY STAR Certified Light Fixtures 1,500 - 2,999 Lumens $30 ≥3,000 Lumens $40 Under Cabinet up to 1,499 Lumens $11 per fixture ENERGY STAR Certified Light Fixtures 1,500 - 2,999 Lumens $16.50 ≥3,000 Lumens $22 LED Lamps Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria LED Linear Replacement Lamps 2 ft. $4 per lamp DLC General Application as shown and DLC Category: Linear Replacement Lamps 3 ft. $6 4 ft. $6 8 ft. $6 High Output LED Linear Replacement Lamp 4 ft. $6 LED U-Bend Lamp $5 LED 2G11 Base Lamps $8.50 per lamp DLC General Application as shown and DLC Category: Four Pin-Base Replacement Lamps for CFLs LED Hortizontally-Mounted Lamps $8.50 LED Vertically-Mounted Lamps $8.50 LED HID Replacement Lamps Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria LED Replacement for HID Lamps ≤125W $50 per lamp DLC Category: Mogul (E39) Screw-base Replacements for HID Lamps >125W - ≤250W $75 >250W $100 LED Bulbs Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria A Lamp $10 per bulb ENERGY STAR Certified Light Bulbs BR30 $3 BR40 $3 G16.5 $3 G25 $3 G30 $3 G40 $3 BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 8 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Lighting LIGHTING LED Bulbs Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria PAR16 $5 per bulb ENERGY STAR Certified Light Bulbs PAR20 $5 PAR30 $8 R14 $5 R16 $5 R20 $8 Other $2.50 LED Exit Sign Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria LED Exit Sign $15 per sign LED Refrigerated Case Lighting Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Refrigerated Case Lighting 4 ft. $50 per fixture DLC Primary Use Designation as shown and DLC Category: Indoor Luminaires 5 ft. $50 6 ft. $50 LIGHTING CONTROLS Standalone Lighting Controls Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Dual daylight & occupancy sensor (DOS)- integrated into fixture 20w to 149w controlled $30 per fixture UL or other OSHA-approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in accordance with applicable US standards Dual daylight & occupancy sensor (DOS)- integrated into fixture ≥150w controlled $50 per fixture Daylight continuous dimming control - integrated into fixture 20w to 149w controlled $20 per fixture Daylight continuous dimming control - integrated into fixture ≥150w controlled $40 per fixture Interior Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor - Remote Mounted $25 per control Interior Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor - Wall Mounted $25 per control Interior Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor - Integrated $30 per control Interior Occupancy Dimming Control - Integrated $15 per control Interior Occupancy Sensor for Highbay - Remote Mounted $25 per control BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 9 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Lighting LIGHTING Network Lighting Controls Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Networked lighting control system controlling efficient lurninaires $0.60 per Watt controlled DLC listed. UL or other OSHA-approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in accordance with applicable US standards Lurninaire level lighting control - with local or cloud server 20W - 149W Controlled $30 per fixture Lurninaire level lighting control - with local or cloud server ≥150W Controlled $60 per fixture BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 10 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G HVAC HVAC Packaged Terminal Units Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard PTHP ≥5,000, < 7,000 Btu 12.875 EER 3.48964 COP $100 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers ≥7,000, < 8,000 Btu 12.1025 EER 3.4093 COP $100 per ton ≥8,000, < 9,000 Btu 11.7935 EER 3.35574 COP $100 per ton ≥9,000, < 10,000 Btu 11.4845 EER 3.30218 COP $100 per ton ≥10,000, < 11,000 Btu 11.1755 EER 3.24862 COP $100 per ton ≥11,000, < 12,000 Btu 10.8665 EER 3.19506 COP $100 per ton ≥12,000, < 13,000 Btu 10.5575 EER 3.1415 COP $100 per ton ≥13,000, < 14,000 Btu 10.2485 EER 3.08794 COP $100 per ton ≥14,000, < 15,000 Btu 9.9395 EER 3.03438 COP $100 per ton ≥15,000 Btu 9.785 EER 3.0076 COP $100 per ton PTAC ≥5,000, < 7,000 Btu 12.875 EER $100 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers ≥7,000, < 8,000 Btu 12.1025 EER $100 per ton ≥8,000, < 9,000 Btu 11.7935 EER $100 per ton ≥9,000, < 10,000 Btu 11.4845 EER $100 per ton • Efficiency requirements to comply with ASHRAE. • An AHRI Certificate is required for new electric HVAC units. AHRI Certificates can be downloaded from http://www.ahridirectory.org. • Manufacturers Specification Sheet Required BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 11 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G HVAC HVAC Packaged Terminal Units Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard PTAC ≥10,000, < 11,000 Btu 11.1755 EER $100 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers ≥11,000, < 12,000 Btu 10.8665 EER $100 per ton ≥12,000, < 13,000 Btu 10.5575 EER $100 per ton ≥13,000, < 14,000 Btu 10.2485 EER $100 per ton ≥14,000, < 15,000 Btu 9.9395 EER $100 per ton ≥15,000 Btu 9.785 EER $100 per ton Single Package Vertical Systems Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps - Tier 1 ≤ 5.4 tons 10.2 EER 3.1 COP $80 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps - Tier 2 ≤ 5.4 tons 10.7 EER 3.2 COP $160 per ton Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps - Tier 1 > 5.4 and ≤ 11.25 tons 10.2 EER 3.1 COP $80 per ton Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps - Tier 2 > 5.4 and ≤ 11.25 tons 10.7 EER 3.2 COP $160 per ton Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps - Tier 1 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 10.2 EER 3.1 COP $80 per ton Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps - Tier 2 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 10.7 EER 3.2 COP $160 per ton Single Package Vertical AC - Tier 1 ≤ 5.4 tons 10.2 EER $75 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers Single Package Vertical AC - Tier 2 ≤ 5.4 tons 10.7 EER $100 per ton Single Package Vertical AC - Tier 1 > 5.4 and ≤ 11.25 tons 10.2 EER $45 per ton Single Package Vertical AC - Tier 2 > 5.4 and ≤ 11.25 tons 10.7 EER $90 per ton Single Package Vertical AC - Tier 1 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 10.2 EER $45 per ton Single Package Vertical AC - Tier 2 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 10.7 EER $90 per ton BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 12 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 HVAC Air Source Heat Pumps Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Single Package - Tier 1 ≤ 5.4 tons 14.3 SEER 8.2 HSPF $75 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers Single Package - Tier 2 ≤ 5.4 tons 15.5 SEER 8.5 HSPF $100 per ton Split System - Tier 1 ≤ 5.4 tons 14.3 SEER 8.4 HSPF $75 per ton Split System - Tier 2 ≤ 5.4 tons 15.5 SEER 8.5 HSPF $100 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 1 > 5.4 and ≤ 11.25 tons 11.5 SEER 12.2 IEER 3.4 COP $80 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 2 > 5.4 and ≤ 11.25 tons 12.1 SEER 12.8 IEER 3.5 COP $100 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 1 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 11.5 SEER 11.6 IEER 3.3 COP $80 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 2 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 11.7 SEER 15.0 IEER 3.3 COP $100 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 1 > 20 tons 9.5 SEER 10.6 IEER 3.2 COP $80 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 2 > 20 tons 9.7 SEER 12.0 IEER 3.2 COP $100 per ton Ductless, Mini Split Air Conditioners or Heat Pumps All Sizes 15.5 SEER 8.5 HSPF $125 per ton Ductless, Mini Split Air Conditioners All Sizes 15.5 SEER $125 per ton Ground And Water Heat Pumps Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 1 ≤ 1.4 tons 12.4 EER 4.0 COP $50 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 2 ≤ 1.4 tons 14.0 EER 4.8 COP $100 per ton Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 1 > 1.4 and ≤ 5.4 tons 13.3 EER 4.3 COP $50 per ton Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 2 > 1.4 and ≤ 5.4 tons 15.0 EER 4.5 COP $100 per ton Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 1 > 5.4 and ≤11.25 tons 13.3 EER 4.3 COP $50 per ton PSE&G HVAC BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 13 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G HVAC HVAC Ground And Water Heat Pumps Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 2 > 5.4 and ≤11.25 tons 15.0 SEER 4.5 COP $100 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers Ground Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 1 ≤ 11.25 tons 18.4 EER 3.7 COP $100 per ton Ground Water Source Heat Pump - Tier 2 ≤ 11.25 tons 22.0 EER 3.9 COP $500 per ton Ground Source Heat Pump - Tier 1 ≤ 11.25 tons 14.4 EER 3.2 COP $100 per ton Ground Source Heat Pump - Tier 2 ≤ 11.25 tons 18.0 EER 3.6 COP $500 per ton Air Cooled - Unitary HVAC Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Single Package - Tier 1 ≤ 5.4 tons 14.3 SEER $75 per ton ASHRAE 90.1 2016; Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers Single Package - Tier 2 ≤ 5.4 tons 16.0 SEER $100 per ton Split System - Tier 1 ≤ 5.4 tons 14.0 SEER $75 per ton Split System - Tier 2 ≤ 5.4 tons 16.0 SEER $100 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 1 > 5.4 and ≤11.25 tons 11.5 EER 13.0 IEER $80 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 2 > 5.4 and ≤11.25 tons 12.5 EER 14.0 IEER $100 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 1 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 11.5 EER 12.4 IEER $80 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 2 > 11.25 and ≤ 20 tons 12.0 EER 14.0 IEER $100 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 1 > 20 and ≤ 63.33 tons 10.5 EER 11.6 IEER $80 per ton Split and Single Package - Tier 2 > 20 and ≤ 63.33 tons 11.0 EER 12.5 IEER $100 per ton Central DX Air Conditioner - Tier 1 > 63 tons 9.7 EER 11.2 IEER $80 per ton Central DX Air Conditioner - Tier 2 > 63 tons 10.0 EER 12.0 IEER $80 per ton BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 14 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G HVAC VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVERS Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) Measures Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Supply Air Fan VFD Return Air Fan VFD Chilled Water or Condenser Water Pump VFD Heating Hot Water Pump VFD Water Source Heat Pump VFD Cooling Tower Fan VFD Boiler Feedwater Pump VFD ≤ 2 HP $500 per drive Horsepower (HP) refers to nameplate HP of the motor controlled by the drive. Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. 3 HP $600 per drive 4 HP $700 per drive 5 HP $800 per drive 7.5 HP $1,150 per drive 10 HP $1,400 per drive 15 HP $1,750 per drive 20 HP $2,000 per drive 25 HP $2,500 per drive 30 HP $3,000 per drive 40 HP $3,500 per drive 50 HP $4,000 per drive 60 HP $4,500 per drive 75 HP $5,000 per drive 100 HP $6,000 per drive 101 HP to 200 HP $50 per HP Ventilation Measures Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria 90% TE Make-up Air Unit - Gas Only $8 per kbtu/ hr Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) High Speed Fan 24" - 35" $50 per unit 36" - 47" $75 per unit 48" - 61" $100 per unit EC Motors - HVAC Blower Fan $150 per motor High Volume Low Speed Fan (HVLS) 16' $400 per unit 18' $450 per unit BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 15 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G HVAC Ventilation Measures Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria High Volume Low Speed Fan (HVLS) 20' $500 per unit Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) 22' $550 per unit 24' $600 per unit HVAC - Other Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Dual Enthalpy Economizer ≤ 5 tons $250 per control Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) > 5 tons $250 per control Motel Room Guest Occupancy Sensor - Electric Only $75 per unit Hotel Guest Room Occupancy Sensor - Electric Only $75 per unit Smart Thermostat Electric AC & Heat $100 per unit Smart Thermostat Electric AC & Gas Heat $100 per unit EC Motors - Hydronic Pump < 1HP $150 per unit Horsepower (HP) refers to nameplate HP of the motor controlled by the drive. Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. 1 HP $150 per unit 2 HP $175 per unit 3 - 5 HP $250 per unit 6 - 10 HP $500 per unit 11+ HP $750 per unit BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 16 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Heating HEATING Gas Furnace & Unit Heater Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Gas Furnace < 225 kBtu 95% AFUE $800 per unit ENERGY STAR < 225 kBtu 97% AFUE $1,000 per unit ≥ 225 kBtu 95% AFUE $800 per unit ≥ 225 kBtu 97% AFUE $1,000 per unit Condensing Unit Heater All Sizes 90% AFUE $750 per unit Gas Heater Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Gas Infrared Heater ≤ 100 Mbtu/h $750 per unit Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) > 100 Mbtu/h $500 per unit Tune Ups - Gas Only Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Boiler Tune-up All Sizes $1 per kBtu Before / After Combustion Analysis Results Required Furnace Tune Up All Sizes $150 per Furnace Economizer Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Fuel Use Economizer $1,200 per unit • Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers. BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 17 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Water Heating & Boilers WATER HEATING & BOILERS Gas Condensing Boilers Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Hot water, condensing boiler - Tier 1 < 300 MBH 90% AFUE $750 per Boiler ≥ 300 to ≤ 2500 MBH 88% TE $3 per MBH CEE Tier 1 > 2500 to ≤ 4000 MBH 81% TE $3 per MBH Hot water, condensing boiler - Tier 2 < 300 MBH 95% AFUE $850 per Boiler ENERGY STAR ≥ 300 to ≤ 2500 MBH 94% TE $3.50 per MBH > 2500 to ≤ 4000 MBH 88% TE $3.50 per MBH Gas Non-Condensing Boilers Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Hot water, non-condensing boiler < 300 MBH 85% AFUE $1.50 per MBH ≥ 300 to ≤ 1500 MBH 85% TE $1.75 per MBH > 1500 to ≤ 2500 MBH 85% TE $1.50 per MBH > 2500 to ≤ 4000 MBH 85% CE $1.50 per MBH Steam, all except natural draft, non-condensing boiler < 300 MBH 82% AFUE $2 per MBH ≥ 300 to ≤ 2500 MBH 81% TE $2 per MBH > 2500 to ≤ 4000 MBH 81% CE $2 per MBH Steam, natural draft, non- condensing boiler < 300 MBH 82% AFUE $2 per MBH ≥ 300 to ≤ 2500 MBH 82% TE $1 per MBH 2500 to ≤ 4000 MBH 82% CE $1 per MBH Gas Water Heaters Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibiity Standard DHW, Instant, Gas-Fired ≤ 200,000 Btuh > 90% TE $750 per unit ENERGY STAR > 200,000 Btuh > 90% TE $1,000 per unit • Equipment must meet or exceed the qualiying efficiency listed for the applicable classification tiers BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 18 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Water Heating & Boilers Gas Water Heaters Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibiity Standard DHW Storage, Gas-Fired < 75,000 Btuh > 0.67 EF or 0.64 UEF $350 per unit ENERGY STAR < 75,000 Btuh > 0.81 UEF $500 per unit > 75,000 to < 105,000 Btuh > 82% TE $500 per unit > 75,000 to < 105,000 Btuh > 94% TE $750 per unit > 105,000 Btuh > 82% TE $500 per unit > 105,000 Btuh > 94% TE $750 per unit Condensing Integrated Boiler and Water Heater ≤ 300 MBH 92% AFUE $1,300 per unit > 300 MBH 94% TE $1,500 per unit Electric Water Heaters Classification Qualifying Efficiency Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Heat Pump Electric Storage Water Heater size > 55 gallons $1,000 per unit Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR size ≤ 55 gallons $750 per unit Water Heating - Other Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Boiler Outside Air Reset Control Gas $1 per kBtu Hot Water Recirculating system with demand control/temperature modulation - Dormitory Gas $20 per Dwelling Unit Hot Water Recirculating system with demand control/temperature modulation - Multi Family Gas $40 per Dwelling Unit BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 19 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Refrigeration REFRIGERATION Refrigeration Motors, Controls, & Com- pressors Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Anti-Sweat Heater Control / Door Heater Control Cooler/Medium Temp Door $50 per Door Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Freezer/Low Temp Door $50 per Door Floating Head Pressure Controls $75 per Ton EC Motors for Evaporator Fans replacing shaded pole motor $75 per Motor replacing PSC $75 per Motor Variable Speed Refrigeration Compressor $1,000 per Compressor ASHRAE 90.1 2013; Equipment must exceed the standard Refrigeration Gaskets, Doors & Strips Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Automatic Door Closer Cooler $50 per Door Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Freezer $75 per Door Door Gasket Cooler Reach-in $4 per Linear ft Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Freezer Reach-in $4 per Linear ft Cooler Walk-in $4 per Linear ft Freezer Walk-in $4 per Linear ft Strip Curtains Cooler, Convenience Store $5 per Sq. ft. Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Cooler, Restaurant $5 per Sq. ft. Cooler, Supermarket $5 per Sq. ft. Freezer, Convenience Store $5 per Sq. ft. Freezer, Restaurant $5 per Sq. ft. Freezer, Supermarket $5 per Sq. ft. Freezer, Refrigerated Warehouse $5 per Sq. ft. Night Cover Low temp (-32°F to 0°F)* $20 per Linear ft. Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Medium Temp, case temperature (> 0°F to ≤ 32°F)* $15 per Linear ft. BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 20 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Refrigeration Refrigeration Gaskets, Doors & Strips Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Night Cover High Temp case temperature (> 32F° to 55°F)* $10 per Linear ft. Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Refrigeration Display Case Doors on Open Display Case* $75 per Linear ft. Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Walk-in or Reach-in Cooler/Freezer Evaporator Fan Motor Control $75 per Motor Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) *Incentive is capped at $500 per cover/case. BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 21 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Food Service FOOD SERVICE Ovens, Fryers, Steamers & Griddles Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Combination Oven/Steamer Gas $2,000 per Oven Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE Electric $1,200 Convection Oven Gas $750 per Oven Electric $350 Standard Vat Fryer Electric $200 per Fryer Steam Cooker Gas $200 per Pan Electric $150 Griddle Gas $500 per Griddle Electric $300 Rack Oven Single - Gas $1,000 per Oven Double - Gas $1,000 Commercial Conveyor Oven Gas $1,500 per Oven Commercial Fryer Gas $750 per Fryer Dishwashers Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Commercial Dishwasher - Under Counter - Electric Low Temperature $75 per Dishwasher Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE High Temperature $400 Commercial Dishwasher - Under Counter - Gas Low Temperature $50 High Temperature $400 Commercial Dishwasher - Door Type - Electric Low Temperature $800 High Temperature $600 Commercial Dishwasher - Door Type - Gas Low Temperature $400 High Temperature $700 Commercial Dishwasher - Single Tank Conveyor - Electric Low Temperature $400 High Temperature $1,000 Commercial Dishwasher - Single Tank Conveyor - Gas Low Temperature $200 High Temperature $1,000 Commercial Dishwasher - Multiple Tank Conveyor - Electric Low Temperature $1,000 High Temperature $1,500 BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 22 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Food Service Dishwashers Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Commercial Dishwasher - Multiple Tank Conveyor - Gas Low Temperature $200 per Dishwasher Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE High Temperature $1,500 Refrigerators & Freezers Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Commercial Glass Door Refrigerator ≤ 15 ft3 $75 per Refrigerator Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE > 15 to ≤ 30 ft3 $100 > 30 to < 50 ft3 $150 ≥ 50 ft3 $150 Commercial Solid Door Refrigerator ≤ 15 ft3 $100 per Refrigerator Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE > 15 to ≤ 30 ft3 $100 > 30 to < 50 ft3 $200 ≥ 50 ft3 $225 Commercial Glass Door Freezer ≤ 15 ft3 $200 per Freezer Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE > 15 to ≤ 30 ft3 $250 > 30 to < 50 ft3 $300 ≥ 50 ft3 $300 Commercial Solid Door Freezer ≤ 15 ft3 $100 per Freezer Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE > 15 to ≤ 30 ft3 $200 > 30 to < 50 ft3 $300 per Freezer Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE ≥ 50 ft3 $500 Commercial Ice Machine Measures Classification Incetive Unit Eligibility Standard Commercial Ice Machines - Tier 1 0–100 lbs/day $75 per Ice Machine Tier 1: ENERGY STAR Certified Commercial Ice Machines 101–200 lbs/day $75 201–300 lbs/day $150 301–400 lbs/day $100 401–500 lbs/day $100 501–1000 lbs/day $150 1001–1500 lbs/day $200 > 1500 lbs/day $200 BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 23 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 Commercial Ice Machine Measures Classification Incetive Unit Eligibility Standard Commercial Ice Machines - Tier 2 0–100 lbs/day $100 per Ice Machine Tier 2: CEE Commercial Kitchens Ice Machines 101–200 lbs/day $100 201–300 lbs/day $200 301–400 lbs/day $150 401–500 lbs/day $150 501–1000 lbs/day $200 1001–1500 lbs/day $300 Other Food Service Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Pre Rinse Spray Valve Electric Water Heating $35 per Spray Valve Maximum flow rate of 1.28 gpm Gas Water Heating $25 per Spray Valve Hot Food Holding Cabinet 1/2 Size $300 per Cabinet Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE 3/4 Size $350 Full Size $400 PSE&G Food Service BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 24 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Miscellaneous AGRICULTURE Agriculture Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Engine Block Heater Timer $25 per Heater Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Auto Milker Takeoff $90 per unit Dairy Scroll Compressor $1,000 per unit Heat Reclaimers $1,000 per unit Livestock Waterer $60 per unit Dairy Vac Pump VSD Controls $1,000 per unit Low Pressure Irrigation Agriculture $100 per Acre Golf Course $100 per Acre Dairy Refrigeration Tune-Up $200 per unit PLUG LOADS Plug Loads Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Advanced Power Strip Tier 1 $15 per strip Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Tier 2 $25 Monitors C&I $10 per unit ENERGY STAR Computers C&I $10 per unit Imaging C&I $20 per unit Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) C&I $40 per kVA Small Network PC Controller $15 per PC controlled Vending Machine & Control Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Standard Vending Machine Control Non-Refrigerated $50 per Controller Product must be UL Listed, or listed by equivalent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Refrigerated $125 per Controller Glass Front Refrigerated Cooler Control $100 per Controller Beverage Vending Machine Class A $75 per unit Equipment must be qualified by the current version of ENERGY STAR or CEE BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 25 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Miscellaneous RESIDENTIAL APPLIANCES Residential Appliances in Commercial Settings Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Clothes Washer - Tier 1 Electric $100 per unit ENERGY STAR Gas $150 per unit Clothes Washer - Tier 2 Electric $100 per unit ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Gas $200 per unit Clothes Dryer - Tier 1 (with Moisture Sensor) Electric $50 per unit ENERGY STAR Gas $150 per unit Clothes Dryer - Tier 2 Electric $50 per unit ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Gas $200 per unit Refrigerators Tier 1 Electric $100 per unit ENERGY STAR Tier 2 Electric $100 per unit Freezer Electric $50 per unit Dehumidifier Electric $25 per unit Room Air Conditioner Electric $25 per unit Water Cooler Electric $50 per unit MISCELLANEUOS Residential Appliances in Commercial Settings Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria Indoor Pool Cover Gas $1 per Sqft Outdoor Pool Cover Gas $0.75 per Sqft Commercial Clothes Washer - Tier 1 Electric $100 per unit ENERGY STAR Gas $100 per unit Commercial Clothes Washer - Tier 2 Electric $200 per unit ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Gas $200 per unit BizSave.PSEG.com | 1-844-300-PSEG (1-844-300-7734) Page 26 - 2022-10-06_v2.4 PSE&G Custom CUSTOM Common Custom Measures Classification Incentive Unit Eligibility Criteria HVAC/Chillers HVAC/VRF HVAC Controls & Chiller Plant Optimization Compressed Air Systems Refrigeration Data Center Equipment/Servers Motors/VFD - Large Building Improvements Process Improvements Agricultural Lighting/Process Custom Lighting Other Non Prescriptive Electric Savings $0.16 per kWh Measures/equipment must not be prescriptive measures and meet mandated/industry standards & codes where applicable. Analysis and documents supporting the energy savings must be submitted with the application, including measure Data Collection Forms (DCFs) as applicable. Gas Savings $3.50 per Therm • Projects are required to provide the total energy savings of the measure(s). Energy savings analysis must be supported by existing and proposed facility data, such as operating schedules, EMS/BMS data, etc.; standard assumptions and baseline must be set in cases where EMS/BMS data is unavailable. • In absence of energy analysis or model, Pre and post installation M&V may be required. Adjusted savings calculations may be required depending on the results of the metering. • The energy savings calculations must only include the energy savings related to the custom measure(s). • Certain measures may require pre and post install M&V for savings validation. In such cases, data points essential to analyzing the savings will be communicated and depending on the SOW, pre and post data measurement timeframe will be set; in case acceptable EMS/BMS data is unavailable, a separate M&V will be required for the set timeframe. • Proposed measures will not be eligible for Custom Measure incentives if a Prescriptive incentive is available. Proposed measures must meet or exceed mandated/industry standards & codes where applicable. Applicability of codes & standards will be determined by PSE&G’s engineering staff during the application review process. • State energy code is ASHRAE 90.1-2016. In cases where ASHRAE 90.1-2016 does not apply, other applicable industry standards will be used, such as the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), EPA ENERGY STAR, Design Lights Consortium, NEMA, Federal Title 10 or other established resources such as: current New Jersey baseline studies and other market research; experience of the New Jersey utilities; or utility/public program experience from other comparable jurisdictions. • Final rebate/incentive payment is based upon installed equipment specifications, operating data, and final energy savings, and may be lower than preapproved amount. • Program approval is required prior to purchase and installation for custom measures. • Custom project incentives are capped at 50% of total project cost. • Customer/Contractor must complete and submit Data Collection Forms (DCFs) for measures as communicated by PSE&G engineering team. Note that DCFs are available for most measures mentioned in the below table. Anywhere a DCF is not available or developed, customer/contractor must submit supporting information detailing the measure parameters required for energy savings analysis. APPENDIX 7 SAMPLE GREEN DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST Green Development Checklist Revised August 2015 MODEL GREEN DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST This Model Green Development Checklist has been prepared to assist communities in encouraging and reviewing planning submittals for sustainable green design aspects of development projects. Current planning criteria frequently do not address these issues; therefore, they may not be considered in the formal approval process. However, it is beneficial for reviewers of a proposed development to have a comprehensive understanding of the development’s potential to incorporate green design, increasing the site’s sustainability and its impact on the community. The checklist is organized by scale from regional context, to individual site, to the structures on the site: 1. First, it addresses the site within its regional and local context, looking at its physical location, development status, connectivity to infrastructure (transportation, community, green space) and beneficial and detrimental impacts within the regional or local context. 2. Second, it addresses the site itself, looking at the beneficial or detrimental impacts of the development on site. 3. Third, it addresses the structures on the site, again looking at beneficial or detrimental impacts. As mentioned earlier, many green design aspects overlap. The handling of rainwater impacts the regional water supply and treatment; the onsite supply’s usage and treatment, and the water usage and treatment in the building. Each aspect must be considered at each scale. Sustainable Jersey provides many tools to assist in the implementation of green design which should be reviewed to further the understanding and use of this review. Also, some of the topics below are hyperlinked to other Sustainable Jersey actions, which can serve as resources for further information on those topics. Items that are in bold are required in order to receive points toward Sustainable Jersey certification. 1. Context Connectivity to existing neighborhoods may have many benefits to the health and safety of residents, the economy and diversity of the area, and the surrounding environment. To ensure a proposed development provides the optimum level of connectivity to existing neighborhoods, the following checklist questions are meant to: 1. Encourage development within and near existing communities and public transit infrastructure 2. Encourage improvement and redevelopment of existing cities, suburbs, and towns while limiting the expansion of the development footprint in the region to appropriate circumstances. 3. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle distance travelled. 4. Reduce the incidence of obesity, heart disease, and hypertension by encouraging daily physical activity associated with walking and bicycling. CONTEXT YES NO DESCRIPTION Is the site a redevelopment, brownfield or infill location? Is the site served by public transit, pedestrian and bicycle networks? Is there train service within ½ mile or bus service within ¼ mile? Are the roads within the development designed as “Complete Streets?” Does the development include historic preservation or adaptive reuse of existing facilities? Does the development include historic preservation, or adaptive reuse onsite? Does the site’s location, scale or use support any historic building conditions off site within its context? Does the development provide or increase the following: A mix of land use types? Please list. Housing diversity by type and income? Civic and public spaces (or have proximity to them)? Recreation facilities and green space/parks (or have proximity to them) and is it part of an integrated ecological network? Land use densities greater than the current zoning or surrounding context? Alternative parking designs such as reduced parking ratios, a percentage of compact stalls, banked parking, shared parking, priority parking for low emission vehicles and provisions for bicycle storage? Local food production, access to off-site facilities or opportunities for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or farmers’ markets? A plan for promoting and educating people on green features? Open space? Natural features? Regional stormwater management? Is the site part of a district energy or water infrastructure? 2. Site development Green Design strategies for Site Development generally refer to how to “design with nature” or build on an individual site so that disturbance to the site is minimal to none. It is important that the design considers short term resiliency and long term sustainability solutions. This can be accomplished using some or below all of the strategies. In general, does the design provide for the following? SITE DEVELOPMENT YES NO DESCRIPTION Minimum site disturbance during construction? Increased Erosion and Sedimentation Control (beyond county or municipal requirements)? Low Impact Design features? Bio-swales Rain gardens Green Roofs Pervious pavements Green Walls Trees Indigenous species (non-invasive species, low maintenance landscaping)? Onsite management of vegetative waste? Regenerative Design? Habitat, wetlands or water body conservation or conservation management strategies Habitat, wetlands or water body restoration Does the site minimize heat island effects through reduced paving, landscaping or other methods? Does the site provide alternatives to single occupancy vehicles such as van spaces, bike storage and changing facilities, and alternative energy vehicle parking? Does the development include historic preservation or adaptive reuse of existing facilities? Does the site include public art and opportunities for civic events? Does the site include Light Pollution Reduction and energy efficient site lighting and controls? Does the site consider landscape and stormwater maintenance specifications that employ integrated pest management post-bond to assure implementation for five years after occupancy? 3. Green Building “Green buildings” utilize a sensitivity to the environment in their design by incorporating strategies like energy and water efficiency, high indoor air quality, and sustainably sourced (or recycled) materials. Green buildings are the foundation for a sustainable neighborhood and should be considered where new developments are planned. This checklist lists important green building design aspects in the areas of Water Reduction, Energy, Indoor Air Quality, Materials, and Social features. Communities and developers should use this checklist to identify features to incorporate into their site plan or subdivision planning. GREEN BUILDING YES NO DESCRIPTION Does the building(s) meet the criteria for a Certified Green Building? Is the building oriented to maximize benefits of daylighting, viewsheds and energy and to minimize detrimental impacts on surrounding sites? Does the building respect the scale of the context through its design? Water Reduction Does the building provide a 20% or greater reduction of water use beyond the minimum water efficiency standards set by the EPA or local government, whichever is greater? Does the building employ water conservation features – including low-flow fixtures, waterless urinals, and/or sensor- controlled faucets? Does the building incorporate rainwater, gray water + stormwater capture and re-use? Is wastewater treated on site and recharged to the ground? Energy Does the building reduce energy usage through efficient heating and cooling, geothermal technology, enhanced daylighting, efficient lighting, occupant controls and an efficient building envelope? Does the project incorporate Energy Star-labeled building products? Does the building include onsite energy generation? What is the anticipated energy savings? What are the anticipated carbon emission reductions? Indoor Air Quality Is natural ventilation and efficient use of outdoor air during heating and cooling periods utilized? Are other measures being used to improve indoor air quality? Please describe Materials Is an existing building being reused? 100%, 75%, 50%? Are there construction waste management plans in place? Are there solid waste management plans in place? Are building materials reused? Do building materials contain recycled content? Are building materials sourced within the region (within a 500 mile radius)? Social Does the site implement indigenously inspired art in the landscape? (i.e. sculpture; garden; mural/ relief; artistic site furnishing, etc.) - one application per building or per 300 residential units. APPENDIX 8 RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVES Residential New Construction Program Guide, rev 1 For Fiscal Year 2024 (7/1/2023 through 6/30/2024) New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 2 | P a g e Table of Contents 1. Overall Program Description ................................................................................................................ 3 2. Target Market & Eligibility .................................................................................................................... 3 3. Background for IECC Codes and HERS Index ........................................................................................ 3 4. Program Offerings ................................................................................................................................. 4 5. Financial Incentives ............................................................................................................................... 6 6. General Process Outline ....................................................................................................................... 7 7. Program Registration and Enrollment Procedures and Requirements ................................................ 8 8. Quality Assurance Inspections ............................................................................................................ 10 9. Program Dispute Resolution ............................................................................................................... 10 10. Call Center Support ............................................................................................................................. 10 11. Links to Website Information ............................................................................................................. 10 New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 3 | P a g e 1. Overall Program Description The Residential New Construction (RNC) Program is designed to increase the energy efficiency and environmental performance of residential new construction buildings (single, multi-single, and multifamily) in New Jersey. The program strategy is to establish standards for energy efficient new construction in New Jersey based on national platforms, including EPA ENERGY STAR® Residential New Construction Program, and the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Program. The program offers technical support and incentives to builders of new single, multi-single, or multifamily residential structures or homes undergoing a complete rehabilitation (gut) that comply with these standards. To participate in the RNC program, builders agree to work with independent third-party inspectors (Raters) who inspect, measure, and test the home’s performance during and after construction. Incentives are designed to partially offset the construction costs associated with building higher efficiency homes. 2. Target Market & Eligibility Newly constructed single family (i.e., one- and two-family buildings), multi-single (i.e., townhomes1), and multifamily buildings are eligible for program benefits if the home, townhome, or multifamily building will use natural gas and/or electricity as the primary heating fuel supplied by a New Jersey investor-owned utility (IOU). Target markets for this program are homebuilders and Raters. The RNC Program will also enroll any existing home undergoing substantial gut renovation or remodeling that meets the criteria above. The EPA identifies the following actions that may be necessary for a gut- rehab project to meet ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program requirements: Remove exterior cladding and the outer surface of roof to install and/or verify the necessary components on the Water Management Builder System Checklist and Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist. Replace or expose most systems, equipment, or components (e.g., HVAC and ducts, windows, insulation.) Grade the site and/or provide drains/swales. Implement below-grade moisture management strategies. 3. Background & Definitions IECC Energy Codes The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) on September 6, 2022, which became effective March 6, 2023. Homes built to the 2021 code will be ~9% more efficient than ones built to the former 2018 IECC code. The 2021 IECC aims to increase efficiency, be more user-friendly, and encourage more flexibility in design and construction. All projects 1 A single-family dwelling unit constructed in groups of three or more attached units in which each unit extends from foundation to roof and with open space on at least two sides. New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 4 | P a g e participating in the program must exceed the energy code they were permitted under, unless otherwise specified. Energy Rating Index The Energy Rating Index (ERI) represents the relative energy efficiency of a building. The ERI is a scale with numbers that range from 0, to represent net zero energy, to 100, to represent the approximate efficiency of a home built to the 2006 IECC. Each number on the scale represents a 1% change in the relative energy efficiency of the building. Each point higher is 1% less efficient, and each point lower is 1% more efficient. In short, the lower the ERI, the more efficient the home. The EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home programs also utilize the ERI. Zero Energy Ready Home The US Department of Energy created a national Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program with strict requirements. When a renewable energy component is connected to the home (e.g., Solar PV system), the energy produced by the renewable component can offset the modeled electric consumption of the home annually; therefore, the net energy consumed on an annual basis by the home is zero. 4. Program Requirements Participation Options The Program offers builders options to participate in the program by building homes to varying standards or guidelines. Incentives are offered based on achieving ENERGY STAR or ZERH certifications, as detailed below, with an additional incentive for each MMBtu energy savings above the New Jersey Reference Home, shown in Table 1, below. ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program The ENERGY STAR Decision Tree can be used to help determine which ENERGY STAR program is right for you. ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes (SFNH): Builders must construct a home and meet or exceed ENERGY STAR SFNH specifications and earn the ENERGY STAR certification for the home. In this case, the Rater will score the home’s performance using the ERI. ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC): Builders must meet or exceed ENERGY STAR MFNC program standards, using either the AHSRAE path or the ERI path to determine energy savings of a customized set of measures. o ASHRAE Path: For multifamily buildings pursuing this compliance pathway, the building must use the Appendix G modeling method from the ASHRAE 90.1 that was effective at the time of the issuance of the building permit and must demonstrate a minimum of 15% energy cost savings OR 15% source energy savings when compared to the energy code under which the building is permitted. Buildings using this compliance pathway must also use the applicable EPA Performance Path Calculator and Simulation Guidelines. These New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 5 | P a g e documents can be found at: Residential New Construction Program Requirements | ENERGY STAR o ERI Path: For multifamily buildings pursuing this compliance pathway, each unit is equivalent in performance to the minimum requirements of the New Jersey reference home, as assessed through energy modeling, and the building must meet or exceed the requirements in the National Rater Design Review and Field Checklists, which include meeting the minimum requirements set for common spaces. Buildings must be certified through a Home Certification Organization (HCO). The HCO’s rating tool must be EPA approved and shall automatically determine the ENERGY STAR ERI Target2. U.S. Department of Energy ZERH Program Zero Energy Ready Home & Zero Ready Energy Home + RE Builders must construct the home in conformance with the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home specifications, in which the ENERGY STAR SFNH specifications are a pre-requisite. The program also has a Zero Energy Ready Home 100% Renewables offering, whereby 100% of the building’s modeled electric site energy usage must be met by renewable energy systems installed onsite at the time of completion of the home. Certification Versions ENERGY STAR SFNH Program Applicants must satisfy the requirements for ENERGY STAR certification utilizing the Performance Path by way of the ERI. The applicant can choose to base its application on compliance with either ENERGY STAR SFNH Version 3.1 or ENERGY STAR SFNH Version 3.2. Projects whose building permits are issued under IECC 2021 and whose submissions are based upon compliance with ENERGY STAR SFNH Version 3.1 must also demonstrate at least 10% site energy savings as compared to the IECC 2021 code baseline. ENERGY STAR MFNC Program Applicants must satisfy the requirements for ENERGY STAR certification utilizing the Performance Path by way of the ERI or ASHRAE pathways. The applicant can choose to base its application on compliance with either ENERGY STAR MFNC Version 1.1 or ENERGY STAR MFNC Version 1.2. Projects whose building permits are issued under IECC 2021, whose submissions are based upon compliance with ENERGY STAR MFNC Version 1.1 and are using the ERI path must also demonstrate at least 10% site energy savings as compared to the IECC 2021 code baseline. Alternatively, if the project is using the ASHRAE path, they must demonstrate at least 15% source or cost energy savings as compared to the ASHRAE 90.1-2019 baseline. ASHRAE path projects must use the ASHRAE 90.1 Performance Based Compliance Form for compliance. US DOE ZERH Program Applicants must satisfy the requirements for the ZERH certification following the applicable version of the program, which is determined in accordance with the DOE ZERH – Program Versions and 2 Raters must use an Approved Software Rating Tool that has been updated to ANSI / RESNET / ICC 301-2019, or later, to use the ERI Path for buildings that exceed five stories. New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 6 | P a g e Implementation Timelines available here: DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Program Requirements | Department of Energy. For projects whose building permits are issued under IECC 2021 and whose submissions are based upon compliance with ZERH Version 1, the prerequisite for ENERGY STAR SFNH shall be applied, as described above. Transition At the time of the release of this document, the updated User Defined Reference Home (UDRH) for homes following the current energy code has not yet been fully developed. This impacts all projects whose performance is measured using the ERI, including ENERGY STAR SFNH, ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction ERI Path. Once the UDRH is approved for use, a notice will be released to the Rater Company network that this file is available. Once that announcement is released, Rater Companies will have a 90-day grace period during which they can continue to use the existing UDRH to project savings. At the completion of the 90- day grace period, the above requirements will be in place. The grace period is based on Site Registration Received date. Note, this grace period does not apply to ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction ASHRAE Path. 5. Financial Incentives The table below displays the financial incentives payable to the builder or contractor depending on the home’s final certification level and incremental MMBtu savings. Note: The higher the energy savings, the larger the rebate. Table 1. Single-Family, Townhouse, and Multifamily incentive structure. Single Family (1 & 2 Family Homes) Townhouse (3+ Connected Units) Multifamily (5 stories or less) Multifamily (MFNC) Energy Star $1,000 per home + $30 per MMBtu saved $500 per home + $30 per MMBtu saved $500 per unit + $30 per MMBtu saved $500 per unit + $30 per MMBtu saved ZERH (Zero Energy Ready Home) $4,000 per home + $30 per MMBtu saved Rater Incentive: $1,200 per home $2,500 per home + $30 per MMBtu saved Rater Incentive: $1,200 per home $1,500 per unit + $30 per MMBtu saved N/A ZERH + Renewables $6,000 per home + $30 per MMBtu saved Rater Incentive: $1,200 per home $4,000 per home + $30 per MMBtu saved Rater Incentive: $1,200 per home $2,250 per unit + $30 per MMBtu saved N/A UEZ/Affordable Housing Bonus +$500 per home +$500 per home N/A N/A Table 1 Notes: The above $30/MMBTU is based on calculated savings before any savings from renewable energy (RE) is added. RE represents renewable energy to offset the remaining annual energy load. MMBtu is the incremental annual energy saved as compared to the calculated annual usage of New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 7 | P a g e the baseline reference home, defined by the applicable energy code as described in more detail in the New Jersey Clean Energy Program Protocols to Measure Resource Savings. The UEZ or Affordable Housing bonus incentive is available for each single family detached and townhouse (i.e., multi-single) dwelling that is verified as being in an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) or designated as Affordable Housing as defined below. Only one incentive type can be applied per unit. o “Affordable Housing” means any housing that an official document identifies as participating in a federal, state, or local affordable housing program. This may also include official documents showing identification from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, United States Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD). o An Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) is an area within a municipality (or group of municipalities) in New Jersey suffering from economic distress and meeting other criteria. A list of current UEZs within the State of New Jersey is available at https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/businesses/salestax/uez-over.shtml 6. General Process Outline Specific program requirements and construction processes must be met for a builder to benefit from each incentive level. For all offerings, the program mandates that builders/developers work with a program participating Rating Company to ensure that the high efficiency requirements are met. In general, there is an overall process for a Builder and Rater to participate in the program which is outlined below. 1. A builder or developer selects and enters into agreement with a Rating Company (that is a participating Rater of the program) to perform the energy ratings, inspections, testing, and certifications required by the RNC program. 2. The builder/developer works with the Rating Company to ensure that the builder’s site personnel, crews, and contractors are familiar with program requirements. 3. The Builder will attend the Rating Company’s design review meeting and a pre-construction meeting with all other appropriate contractors, sub-contractors, and stakeholders. 4. The Rating Company then registers a project with the program through the online portal. 5. The Program reviews the Site Registration and all supporting documents. a. If deemed complete, the project will be assigned to a Program Specialist, and the Status will be updated to Site Registration Approved. b. If deemed incomplete, the Rater will be notified of any deficiencies and the project will be placed in Site Registration Error status. The Rater must resolve the document issues and revise the online application and resubmit within 30-days or the project will be cancelled and will require a new registration to be considered again. New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 8 | P a g e 6. Once the project has been assigned a Program Specialist, they will reserve the funds for the project based on the preliminary design and send an enrollment letter to the Rater. The project will then move to the Site Registration Complete status. The Builder proceeds with construction and coordinates the scheduling of all required inspections with the Rating Company, namely a Pre-Drywall Inspection and Final Inspection. a. The project must be registered (i.e., Site Registration Received or any later status, and have a Project Number) before notifying the RNC program about the Pre-Drywall inspection. NOTE: Pre-Drywall Inspections scheduled before the project has received the enrollment letter (i.e. Site Registration Complete status) are doing so at risk of not being successfully registered into the program. 7. If any deficiencies are identified by the Rating Company during either of these inspections, the builder must rectify until the inspection has passed. The Rating Company reports the results of each inspection to their Program Specialist via email using the Inspection Workbook. a. If an inspection is reported as a passed on the first visit, the Passed Inspection Report may be, but is not required, uploaded to the portal at that time. The Passed Inspection Report must be uploaded before submitting any Incentive Application documents. b. If an inspection report is reported as a failed, each Failed Inspection Report, at the time of failure, must be uploaded to the portal and the subsequent Passed Inspection Report before the project can progress in the portal. 8. When all program requirements are met, an ENERGY STAR or ZERH label(s)/certificate(s) is issued by the Rater to the Builder/homeowner. 9. The Rating Company will complete the online Incentive Application and upload completed checklists, rating software data files, ENERGY STAR or ZERH summary reports, etc. 10. The Program reviews and approves the Incentive Application, and payment is sent directly to the Builder, Rater, or Third-Party Payee in the form of a check. a. If the Incentive Application is found to be missing documentation or does not meet the minimum program requirements for any other reason, the Program Specialist or the TRC QA department will move the project into File Review Error status and follow up with a list of additional requirements that must be met to receive incentives. The Rater has 30- days from the receipt of the notice of the deficiency to respond, as directed in the notice, and resolve the concerns. 7. Program Registration and Enrollment Procedures and Requirements ENROLLMENT 1. Raters must utilize the Rater Portal3 to submit electronic applications and all required program documents. Raters obtain a project number that starts with “NJRCCR” from the portal indicating that the project has been received by the Program. 3 Rater Portal can be found at the following link: https:/njrnc.customerapplication.com/sign-in. New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 9 | P a g e a. Once a project is registered (i.e., Site Registration Received or any later status, and has a Project Number), the Rater may proceed with scheduling the Pre-Drywall inspection for the following business day. NOTE: Pre-Drywall Inspections scheduled before the project has received the enrollment letter (i.e. Site Registration Complete status) are doing so at risk of not being successfully registered into the program 2. Projects will receive an Enrollment Letter and funds will be reserved for each project when the Site Registration portal entries and documents are deemed complete. These projects will expire according to building type as listed below, with the time measured from Site Registration Received status, as applicable: a. Single Family and townhomes expire one year after the Site Registration is received. The Rater may apply to the Program for an extension of its expiration date. Such extensions may be granted only for good cause and in unusual, extenuating circumstances beyond the applicant’s control. As soon as a Rater is aware that an expiration date will not be met, they should email an extension request to the program inbox at RNCNJCEP@NJCleanEnergy.com and copy their relevant Program Specialist. The Program Manager may grant up to two extensions per project, not to exceed one year, collectively. Any extensions beyond this can be submitted for consideration using the Program Dispute Resolution process in Section 9, below. b. Multifamily projects expire three years after the Site Registration is received and are not eligible for any extensions of their expiration date or commitments. 3. All applicants must submit a valid municipal building permit with their Site Registration. In instances where an applicant is pursuing code compliance through the RNC Program, an Acknowledgement Letter will be issued with the understanding that the applicant must upload the permit to the online portal once the permit is granted. Payments will not be issued until the permit has been received by the program. 4. The project must be registered a minimum of one business day before notifying the RNC program about the Pre-Drywall inspection. In other words, notification of an inspection must be provided by 5pm on the night before the inspection is scheduled. Projects being submitted and inspected on the same day are not eligible to participate in the program. 5. Customers eligible for the Affordable Housing Bonus must provide documentation that the building identifies as participating in a federal, state, or local affordable housing program as defined above. Customers eligible for the UEZ bonus must provide documentation that the building resides within one or more municipalities designated by the State of New Jersey. 6. If a project passes the expiration date and has not requested an extension, if eligible, among other consequences of expiration, the project’s commitment amount, if any, will be terminated, freeing the previously committed amount for other NJCEP purposes. 7. Expired projects may reapply, in which case they will be governed by the technical requirements applicable at the time the project’s then-current building permit issued and will be eligible for the incentives, if any, available at the time of reapplication. New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 10 | P a g e 8. Quality Assurance Inspections The Program Administrator will conduct sample Quality Assurance (QA) site inspections of the Rater’s Pre- drywall and/or Final Inspections and file reviews of all EPA ENERGY STAR and/or ZERH Checklists and rating software files to confirm program requirements are being met. Consistent errors and/or inappropriate rating procedures identified through QA inspections or file reviews will subject Rating Companies to actions as defined in the contractor remediation process. Inspection requirements may be adjusted based upon the track record of the program participants. Initial inspection rates for new builders and Raters may be higher and may decrease as they demonstrate proficiency in proper building techniques and the requirements of the Program. 9. Program Dispute Resolution The Program is designed to allow for participation by any RESNET Certified Rater operating under a RESNET Accredited Rating Provider that meets the Program requirements upon completion of a program participation agreement. BPU-approved contractor remediation procedures will be followed if a contractor is found to violate program procedures and rules or consistently violates program requirements, which may include being barred from participating in the Program. Disputes, concerns, or complaints that arise will be addressed initially by the Program Manager or Program Staff at the point of contact. If resolution for whatever reason is not possible, there is a dispute resolution process backed by the NJ Board of Public Utilities. For contractual disputes between a customer and a contractor or builder, an online complaint can be filed with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA). 10. Call Center Support New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program operates a call center staffed weekdays between 8 AM and 7 PM, excluding State holidays. The phone number is 866-NJSMART (866-657-6278). The call center is trained in answering general questions about the program and application processes and can direct callers to the appropriate Program Staff as needed. 11. Links to Website Information Overall homepage for the Residential New Construction program: www.NJCleanEnergy.com/RNC List of rating companies approved to work within the program: Rating Companies | NJ OCE Web Site (njcleanenergy.com) Building & Rating Company Information webpage: www.NJCleanEnergy.com/residential/programs/nj-energy-star-homes/builder- information/builder-information New Jersey’s Clean Energy ProgramTM Residential New Construction Program Guide 11 | P a g e RNC portal that Rater Companies use to upload documents, inspection reports, and other submittals for program review. There is also a training video that Rater Companies can watch to learn how to use the portal. Individual Raters must register with the RNC program to use the portal. www.NJCleanEnergy.com/RNCPORTAL Technical information that is required for Builders and Raters to participate in the program, including step-by-step instructions on how to enroll a home in the program along with associated program checklists used by the Raters. www.NJCleanEnergy.com/residential/programs/nj-energy-star-homes/builder- information/participation-documents/participation- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page: http://www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/nj-energy-star-homes/faqs/new-jersey- energy-star-homes-frequently-asked-questio
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"...to be distributed in regular mailers, posted on City website and social pages, announced during public hearings. Implement an outreach effort to help local businesses take advantage of energy efficiency incentive programs offered by New Jersey’s electric and natural gas utilities, including the Direct Install..."
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Contacts
Tammy Zucca
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
David Spatz
City’s Consulting Planner · Community Housing & Planning Association
Shawn Thomas
Fleet Director
Rebecca Colditz
Deputy Department Head, Purchasing
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Timeline
First Discovered
Apr 4, 2026
Last Info Update
Apr 4, 2026
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