ESSEX COUNTY NJ, The Sustainable Essex Alliance member towns of Glen Ridge and Maplewood, South Orange, South Orange, and Verona announced on March 2 that they will be launching a new pilot program that will help residents to save money, improve their quality life, and protect our environment.
The Sustainable Essex Alliance towns recently authorized the third round for the energy aggregation procurement cooperative. Livingston and Glen Rock, along with the other seven towns, are now members of the SEA. They combine their buying power to buy electricity that is lower priced and more environmentally friendly.
The first round was held in July 2019, and ended in November 2020. The second round started in April 2021, and will conclude in August.
A typical PSE&G customer will save $20 with the second round. The energy supply will also have a 40% renewable energy content, compared to 23.5 percent for PSE&G. Maplewood Deputy Mayor Vic DeLuca stated that the newspaper received this information on March 6. For the third round, electricity prices are highly volatile. If the bids are too high, SEA may not approve a new contract until it is more affordable for our residents.
Residents in the area can now benefit from the SEA Energy Solutions program. This program offers homeowners and households the opportunity to sign up online for a free, no-obligation consultation on energy. https://seaenergysolutions.wee.green. The specialist will examine the energy habits of interested residents and provide cost-effective solutions that are tailored for their individual needs.
Glen Ridge Mayor Stuart Patrick stated in a press release that each participating town is excited to offer the SEA Energy Challenge program for its residents. Whether people are looking to improve their homes or save money, SEA Energy Solutions offers many benefits for them and their community.
PSE&G customers can choose from home energy audits or rebates on lighting and appliances, as well as upgrades to high efficiency heating and cooling. You also have the option to finance attractive incentives and solar energy systems. Participants will be guided by an energy specialist to determine which programs and incentives best suit their needs through the virtual energy consultation. The town limits the number of participants.
South Orange President Sheena Collins said that she encourages all residents to take part in the no-cost, voluntary consultation program. It will help you save money as well as play a part in saving the planet. While our community is doing okay, we can do so much more together by taking more responsibility and being more mindful of our choices. This is a low-hanging opportunity. How can we live our lives more efficiently? Sign up now to learn more.
Additionally, the program will allow eligible low- and moderate income households to take advantage at minimal or no cost of a wide variety of efficiency measures.
The SEA Energy Solutions program was created as a pilot program to eventually create a full-scale residential energy-efficiency outreach and energy-planning program.
The beauty about the energy aggregation program, is that residents are automatically enrolled. This means that they don’t need to do anything to save money or help the environment. Promoting a cleaner electric grid is essential if we are serious about combating climate change. The SEA program boosts demand for renewables. This will be beneficial in the long-term. I have participated since the beginning and feel that I am making an impact on the planet and sending less money to large utility companies. DeLuca stated, “I strongly urge our residents to join the program.” Our residents will reap the tremendous benefits of our new addition, the energy efficient program. It is important to be more efficient with our resources in order to protect our planet.
Through a competitive request to submit proposals, SmartPower was selected as the SEA Energy Solutions Program Manager. SmartPower has partnered up with Abode Energy Management, a Concord-based energy consulting firm, to provide complementary services that will make SEA a cost-effective and highly impactful program.
In a press release, SmartPower President Brian F. Keane stated that everyone can be part of the energy solution. SEA Energy Solutions is able to help us accelerate our efforts to improve our energy-consumption habits at a time where we need it most. Log on https://seaenergysolutions.wee.greenLet’s start saving energy today!
FEATURED, Maplewood Township Committee, Mayor Stuart Patrick, Sustainable Essex Alliance, Village President Sheena Collum