Honeywell Helps Make Garden State Greener Through New Jersey's Clean Energy Program

One of Nation's Largest Conservation Programs Lowers Utility Bills and Benefits Environment with Energy-Efficient and Renewable Technologies

Minneapolis, MN — Honeywell recently announced a $42-million, 27-month contract to implement and help manage portions of the New Jersey Clean Energy Program™, one of the largest energy conservation programs in the United States. Under the contract, Honeywell Utility Solutions will handle marketing, customer service, training, quality assurance, rebate and incentive processing, and reporting for the Renewable Energy and Residential portions of the program.

The Clean Energy Program provides financial and other incentives to New Jersey homeowners, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies. When consumers rely on these technologies, natural gas and electricity use decreases, lowering utility bills and reducing environmental impact. Over the next two years, the entire program is expected to cut gas consumption by more than 1.5 million decatherms and reduce electricity use by more than 1 million megawatt-hours — enough energy to power almost 100,000 homes for a year.

The program also will also help spur the development of an estimated 220 megawatts of electricity through the installation of solar photovoltaics and other renewable energy technologies in the same timeframe. And these installations will help the Garden State avoid 630,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of the solar equipment (approximately 25 years).

"Since the Clean Energy Program was launched in 2001, our objective has been to transform the energy marketplace in New Jersey toward more energy-efficient and renewable-energy technologies," said Jeanne M. Fox, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which leads the program with oversight by the BPU's Office of Clean Energy. "We are committed to the continued success of the program, and look forward to working with Honeywell so utility customers in the state can reduce their energy use, save on energy costs and contribute to the state's overall efforts to ensure an environmentally sound New Jersey future."

In 2006, the Clean Energy Program provided more than $170 million in financial and other incentives for residents, businesses, municipalities and other organizations that installed energy-efficient and renewable technologies, including solar electricity, wind and sustainable biomass systems. Specific initiatives that Honeywell will manage under the Renewable Energy segment of the program include:

• CORE Rebate Program — offers rebates and tax credits for implementing renewable energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines and biomass systems.
• Clean Energy Financing — makes investments in renewable energy systems and energy-efficient equipments more affordable and cost-effective for businesses.
• Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Program — offers individuals and businesses a way to invest in renewable technologies through tradable certificates that represent clean energy benefits generated from solar-produced electricity.
• CleanPower Choice Program — allows individuals and organizations to easily sign up for clean power sources directly through their local utility.
  Residential initiatives under the Clean Energy Program include:
• Home Energy Analysis – provides homeowners with a customized home energy audit to help identify energy-saving opportunities.
• WARMAdvantage and COOLAdvantage – offers rebates for high-efficiency residential heating and cooling equipment
• Home Performance with Energy Star® – gives homeowners access to certified, energy-conscious building contractors to improve energy efficiency and comfort.
• Energy Star Products – provides outreach, education and incentives to retailers to help them change stocking practices on items, such as light bulbs, light fixtures, appliances and windows.

"We're pleased to extend our work with the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, which started with Comfort Partners, an energy-affordability initiative for low-income residents," said Kent Anson, vice president of global energy for Honeywell Building Solutions. "In 2006, Comfort Partners helped 8,500 residents reduce energy costs and cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 9,300 metric tons. We look forward to bringing similar benefits to more homeowners and businesses through other parts of the program."

SOURCE: Honeywell