NJBPU Community Energy Plan Grant Program

The Community Energy Plan Grant (CEPG) Program, administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), is designed to assist municipalities across New Jersey in developing localized Community Energy Plans that align with the goals outlined in the state’s Energy Master Plan (EMP). Now in its fourth program year, this initiative focuses on promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy resiliency at the community level, with the overarching objective of achieving 100% clean energy across New Jersey by 2050. The CEPG Program recognizes the critical role of local governments in advancing statewide energy goals and offers financial support to help municipalities organize, assess, and strategize through an inclusive planning process. Municipalities selected for funding will convene a planning team consisting of local officials, relevant board and commission members, municipal staff, and community stakeholders such as green team members and volunteers. This team will use a standardized Workplan Template—developed in partnership with Sustainable Jersey—to guide their assessment of energy-related needs and opportunities. The template facilitates structured decision-making around emissions-reducing strategies that are most viable for the community. The resulting Community Energy Plan must be formally adopted via municipal resolution and submitted to the BPU within twelve months of the award. The grant provides $10,000 to all eligible municipalities that complete the required application process. Municipalities designated as "overburdened" are eligible for an increased grant amount of $25,000, with further support potentially available upon request based on specific project needs. Overburdened municipalities are defined based on demographic and economic distress criteria including high poverty rates and inclusion in overburdened community census blocks. A full list of eligible overburdened municipalities is included in Appendix A of the guidance document. Funds are to be used strictly for the creation of the Community Energy Plan. Allowable expenses include staff time, consultant fees, stakeholder engagement activities, and direct planning-related costs such as venue rentals and outreach materials. Implementation of specific energy infrastructure projects (e.g., EV charging stations, solar panels) is not an eligible expense under this grant. Consultants can be hired but must be documented via formal agreements, and municipalities are encouraged to consult Sustainable Jersey before doing so. Sustainable Jersey also offers extensive technical assistance and data resources throughout the planning process. The application process is managed entirely through the NJBPU’s SAGE online grant portal. Applicants must complete the full digital form and upload required documentation, including a notarized Applicant Certification and a signed municipal resolution in support of the project. All components must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on the final due date, July 11, 2025. The application period opens on June 9, 2025. Applications deemed administratively incomplete will not be considered but may be resubmitted in a future round. Evaluation will be conducted by a review committee following the close of the application period. All selected projects must follow a milestone schedule including kickoff meetings, budget submission within three months, workplan completion within six months, public engagement within eight months, and formal adoption of the Community Energy Plan within one year. Final reports and budget reconciliation must be submitted at the end of the twelve-month term. For grantees receiving $25,000, quarterly reporting is also required. Questions may be directed to community.energy@bpu.nj.gov.

Follow the timeline precisely and ensure required signatures and attachments are submitted. Contact Sustainable Jersey for technical assistance if needed.