SAVING CONSUMERS MONEY—Adam Garber, NJPIRG consumer associate, explains how efficiency can save New Jersey consumers billions on their utility bills.

Energy Efficiency Bills Proposed Could Save Consumers $6 Billion

This December, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Assemblyman Vincent Prieto and Sen. Bob Smith joined NJPIRG at a press conference to support a package of affordable energy legislation which they are sponsoring. Combined, the bills would cut electricity use by 7 percent and natural gas use by 5.5 percent, saving consumers over $6 billion by 2020.

“The energy choices New Jersey makes now will determine whether we are going to have affordable, reliable energy in the future,” said NJPIRG Consumer Associate Adam Garber. “Efficiency is the best way to get control of our runaway energy system immediately.”

Energy is getting more expensive every year; last year, electricity prices rose by 15 percent and natural gas costs rose by 28 percent. New Jersey’s over-dependence on out-of-state energy and fossil fuels is causing these higher prices. New Jersey’s energy needs are projected to grow by 29 percent in the next 15 years, placing us at the whim of fluctuating energy prices.

The bills will cut energy use through enhanced energy codes and updated energy standards for a wide range of consumer products. Energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest way to reduce energy costs, saving consumers money and making our energy system more reliable.