Green-energy products and services continue to rise in popularity due to a push from state legislators, universal urgency about climate change and cost-cutting incentives. The refined technology and integration, as well as the range of education, have made it more streamlined for businesses to incorporate cost- and energy-efficient systems.
Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 315 solidified the 10-year goal of fully committing to clean energy earlier this year, furthering New Jersey’s role as a national leader in green energy and decarbonization. The order cites both economic and health improvement objectives, as well as an established history of past state efforts to reduce harmful emissions.
Such New Jersey benchmarks include, among others: the Global Warming Response Act (GWRA) in 2007; 2018’s Executive Order 7 that signified the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; and P.L.2021, which incentivized solar energy.
South Jersey Biz spoke to area experts who provided direct insight into these initiatives and how a business or individual can get started.
What initiatives are furthering clean energy?
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is advancing clean energy through a comprehensive approach that promotes more in-state generation and reduces costs for consumers. We continue to lead nationally in solar energy, having more than doubled our installed capacity to more than 5.2 GW in the last seven years alone. Pursuant to new clean energy legislation signed just last week [S4530/A5768 and A5267/S4289, signed into law Aug. 22], BPU is working to procure 3,000 MW of community solar, at least half of which will benefit low- to moderate-income households, and 1,000 MW of energy storage capacity. We're also collaborating with utilities on our Triennium 2 energy efficiency programs—comprehensive three-year initiatives launched in January 2025 that coordinate utility-wide efficiency efforts across all customer sectors. Additionally, we're incentivizing transmission-scale energy storage projects that act as giant batteries for the electrical grid, helping store excess renewable energy when it's abundant and releasing it when demand is high, which enhances overall grid reliability and stabilizes the electricity system.
—Alonza Robertson, press secretary/communications manager, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
What incentives are available?
Hutchinson offers free energy audits to commercial customers, helping them identify opportunities to save energy and lower costs. As a long-time trusted trade ally, Hutchinson also guides businesses through the Direct Install Program, which provides incentives covering up to 70% of the cost for energy-efficient upgrades—such as lighting, HVAC and other conservation measures for their business. Currently, the most popular program is Direct Install, which offers up to a 70% incentive, as well as providing customers with an on-bill financing option with the various utilities at 0% for five years.
—Pete Hatton, director of commercial services, Hutchinson Mechanical Services
How have recent initiatives contributed to the state's 100% clean electricity goal by 2035 so far?
New Jersey has made substantial progress toward our clean electricity goal through several key achievements that help reduce ratepayer costs and generate more in-state power. We've successfully more than doubled our solar capacity, establishing our position as a national leader. We also prevented the closure of three critical nuclear plants through the Zero Emission Certificate program, preserving essential clean baseload generation. Additionally, our comprehensive energy efficiency programs are actively reducing consumption and hundreds of megawatts of peak demand. All seven public utilities are accepting rebate applications for equipment replacements and building retrofits, and the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) is accepting applications for new construction through its New Construction programs at NJCleanEnergy.com. Under New Jersey's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), utilities must source 35% of their electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind today, rising to 50% by 2030. However, when we include our substantial nuclear fleet—which provides carbon-free baseload power—New Jersey's clean electricity supply already exceeds 50% today. This strong foundation of both renewable and nuclear clean energy puts us on a clear trajectory to reach 100% clean electricity consumed in the state by 2035.
We remain unwavering in our commitment .. strategically adapting to current federal constraints. Our immediate focus is on areas where state authority is strongest: expanding solar and energy efficiency programs, advancing energy storage and maximizing grid modernization with our utility partners. As a leader in nuclear energy for over four decades, we're also exploring bringing new nuclear power to the state [and] strengthening regional partnerships. …We're also working with utilities to develop pathways for public entities—such as schools, municipalities and government buildings—to participate in direct-install programs, expanding access to energy efficiency upgrades beyond the private sector.
—Alonza Robertson
What are some examples of clean-energy options and how have they evolved?
Over the years as technologies surface, many of them have been incorporated into energy conservation programs. Examples include upgrading lighting to LED and upgrading HVAC into the latest American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers-approved, high-efficiency systems along various control options.
—Pete Hatton
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Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 15, Issue 9 (September 2025).
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