New Energy Bill Will Save Consumers Millions

In the closing days before the New Jersey State Assembly broke for summer recess, a strong NJPIRG-backed bill to strengthen building codes and increase energy efficiency passed. The vote, which showed strong bipartisan support for the bill, was an important step toward reducing New Jersey’s energy use.

“This bill is smart energy policy,” said Abigail Caplovitz Field, advocate for NJPIRG. “Building efficient buildings stops electricity waste before it starts.”

Assemblyman John McKeon championed A3595, which could save consumers and businesses $6.6 billion on electricity and $3.2 billion on natural gas by 2020.

In addition, the reduced energy demand will lessen air pollution and reduce global warming emissions 1 percent by 2020.

When the State Senate returns from summer recess, NJPIRG will be working to pass the bill through the Senate and deliver it to the governor’s desk.

Sen. Bob Smith has championed the companion bill, which so far has cleared the Senate Economic Growth Committee.