Board of Public Utilities Partners with Morristown and EPA to 'Change the World'

Commissioner Joseph L. Fiordaliso encourages New Jersey residents to take personal steps that save energy and fight climate change

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Commissioner Joseph L. Fiordaliso recently toured the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) custom-built interactive exhibit modeled after an energy-efficient home during Morristown's "Festival on the Green," held on September 28. The BPU partnered with Community Earth and the EPA to sponsor the festival and house exhibit, which kicked off New Jersey's Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR(R) Campaign.

EPA communications manager Melissa Klein provided a room-by-room tour of the home to demonstrate energy-saving features, such as ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, lighting and home electronics.

"I am proud of all the ways New Jersey is responding to energy challenges and climate change," Fiordaliso said. "The Change the World Campaign in New Jersey encourages people to switch to energy-efficient lighting, appliances and home electronics. Taking these individual steps is one way we all can take part in New Jersey's plan to reduce energy use 20 percent by 2020."

In addition to sponsoring the exhibit, New Jersey's Clean Energy Program(TM) is offering the following rebates and discounts through December 31, 2008:

-- $50 or $75 rebates on select ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers
-- $25 rebate on qualified dehumidifier
-- Retailer discounts for ENERGY STAR qualified lighting.

To learn more about New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and its many offerings, visit http://www.njcleanenergy.com/ or call 1-866-NJSMART.

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities 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 responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about the NJBPU, visit our web site at http://www.nj.gov/bpu.

About the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)

New Jersey's Clean Energy Program, 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), and its website is http://www.njcleanenergy.com/.