Applications are closed
Community Energy Plans
A Community Energy Plan helps a community work toward a better environment for all residents by using the state’s Energy Master Plan (EMP) as a guide to align local efforts.
Status
Applications are closed
Schedule
The application window was open from June 9, 2025 to July 25
Program Contacts
Relevant Audiences
On this page
About the Program
A Community Energy Plan helps a community work toward a better environment for all residents by using the state’s Energy Master Plan (EMP) as a guide to align local efforts. The EMP identifies seven strategies for rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by targeting efforts to reduce energy use, reduce emissions, increase renewable energy, and more.
Community Energy Planning is the process by which communities collaboratively select and strategically implement emissions-reducing initiatives that fulfill the EMP goals. This Process includes assembling a planning team of local municipal staff, elected officials, relevant municipal board and commission members, and community volunteers. This planning team assesses the municipality’s needs and helps find the opportunities for energy resiliency, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
Incentive Amounts
- Municipalities are eligible to receive a $10,000 grant.
- Municipalities identified as being Overburdened Municipalities (OBMs) are eligible to receive a $25,000 grant.
Program History
In 2019, the Board established a Community Energy Plan Grant Program. While the EMP provides a framework for a statewide transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, the Community Energy Plan Grant Program provides support to municipalities to develop climate action plans at the local level based on their assessment of which EMP strategies are most applicable in their respective communities. The Community Energy Plan Grant Program was redesigned for program year 2 by the Office of Clean Energy Equity to prioritize low- and moderate-income and overburdened communities by removing barriers to participation and providing more financial and technical support to those communities that are most in need of these grants.
Program year 3 was approved on November 17, 2023, with some changes made to the program. The changes include:
Shorter grant timeline - now 12 months
Expanded criteria to determine Overburdened Municipalities - MRI score now needs to be 40 or higher to qualify under this criteria
Proposed budget now after technical assistance consultations with Sustainable Jersey
Relevant Links
Guidance regarding program year 4 of CEPG and SAGE can be found here:
Program Year 4 Application Guidance