The City of Hoboken today announced its Community Energy Plan, a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan, funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities at no cost to the Hoboken taxpayer, puts forward policies on how the City will promote the transition to sustainable energy over the next several years.
“Through the Community Energy Plan, we are charting a course toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for Hoboken,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “By strategically investing in initiatives that prioritize environmental responsibility and community well-being, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also bolstering the resilience and livability of our city.”
The Community Energy Plan is part of a New Jersey Board of Public Utilities program to align local efforts with the state Energy Master Plan, and drive community-level action to achieve its goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050. The state Energy Master Plan identifies seven strategies for rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by targeting efforts to reduce energy use, reduce emissions, and increase renewable energy.
The plan’s initiatives were selected based on demonstrated effectiveness, unique local opportunities, and co-benefits for the community, such as improved local air quality, energy savings for residents, and workforce development. Key projects include energy efficiency upgrades to municipal buildings, robust education and outreach campaigns, expansion of micromobility programs, development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the transition of the municipal vehicular fleet to electric vehicles, among others. These initiatives will help the City foster a cleaner, healthier environment for all residents.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the Community Energy Plan will enable the City of Hoboken to leverage new grant opportunities of up to $250,000 through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Community Energy Plan Implementation Grant Program, further advancing high-impact and cost effective sustainability project that support energy resilience, renewable energy, and energy efficiency to and enhance quality of life for residents.
The Community Energy Plan will complement the Hoboken Climate Action Plan Update currently under development by the Department of Climate Action & Innovation. With a commitment to revising the Climate Action Plan every five years, the City of Hoboken aims to achieve ambitious targets, including net-zero energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
For more information on Hoboken's sustainability efforts, go to www.hobokennj.gov/sustainability.
