The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has issued an Order requiring the owner or operator of every commercial building over 25,000 square feet in the state to benchmark energy and water use using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Portfolio Manager tool, as required by the New Jersey Clean Energy Act signed into law by Governor Murphy in 2018.
“This is the next important step in implementing a best in class, statewide, energy efficiency program which will help us achieve Governor Murphy’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Creating a system of benchmarking allows us to measure the use of energy (electricity and gas) and water by the state’s biggest buildings and support building owners in reducing energy and water usage and operating costs.”
This Board initiative is also directed by Goal 3.3.2 of the Energy Master Plan, which calls for transparent benchmarking and energy labeling to spur market-driven energy efficiency improvements. The program helps commercial building owners and operators measure and analyze their respective facilities’ energy and water usage and compare it to other similar buildings. Building owners and operators can use this information to make informed decisions about taking advantage of financial incentives for energy efficiency improvements through State and utility programs.
The first benchmarking submissions are due on October 1, 2023 for energy and water consumed in 2022.
Utility Advantage provides technical assistance to building owners to benchmark their buildings. This service is available to commercial buildings owners to support compliance with the state’s new benchmarking program. The company also provides benchmarking to medium size commercial buildings, government and k-12 schools and industrial facilities such as waste water treatment plants.
To learn more about benchmarking programs and to receive a free copy of the “Utility Advantage White Paper on NJ Benchmarking Programs”, please email Craig DeLuca at cdeluca@utilityadvantage.com or call Mr. DeLuca at 609-364-8999.
