Making municipal buildings more energy efficient saves taxpayer money while also contributing to solutions for some of our most pressing environmental sustainability issues. 

This action awards points to municipalities on a sliding scale for taking increasingly more effective steps to reduce energy consumption, starting with energy audits and culminating with deep energy savings. Most of the work done under this action will make use of incentives provided by New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP). 

The sliding scale of points associated with this action is as follows: 

• Completion of an audit on at least one building, but not covering all buildings 

• Completion of a Local Government Energy Audit that covers all buildings under municipal control 

• Significant upgrade work performed on one building (at least 10% energy savings demonstrated) 

• Completion of a Local Government Energy Audit that covers all buildings under municipal control as well as significant upgrade work performed that shows at least a 10% demonstrated energy savings for one building 

• Energy efficiency upgrades that show between a 10% to 19% decrease in energy consumption for the entire building portfolio 

• Energy efficiency upgrades that show between a 20% to 29% decrease in energy consumption for the entire building portfolio 

• Energy efficiency upgrades that show at least a 30% decrease in energy consumption for the entire building portfolio 

Why is it important? 

Buildings are the biggest source of emissions and energy consumption, both in this country and around the globe. The EPA estimates that if the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings improved by just 10 percent, Americans would save about $20 billion annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from almost 30 million vehicles. Off-the-shelf green design strategies and technologies can make existing buildings three to four times more resource-efficient than the average U.S. building. At present, local governments spend about 10% of their budgets on energy, and those costs are expected to rise in coming years. The impact of an effective energy efficiency campaign can be huge today, and will almost definitely grow over time.

Municipalities that complete this action can expect to easily achieve 10%-30% or more in energy and utility bill savings.

Improving energy performance has other important benefits in buildings. For example, energy efficient lighting can have a positive effect on security and safety. Green building measures are associated with improved indoor air quality and increased employee productivity. These building efficiency solutions also have significant educational and community outreach potential. Building efficiency is a key part of an overall sustainable energy program, and the work covered by this action will provide tangible “real world” examples that can help teach and promote sustainable energy strategies in the community.

But perhaps most importantly, energy efficiency measures will help address some of our most pressing global problems such as climate change, energy security, and creation of local jobs. Energy efficiency projects are a great example of local action that can have a global impact, while also saving money.