Two PSE&G Energy Efficiency Programs Win ACEEE Awards

NEWARK, N.J., March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of their Third National Review of Exemplary Energy Efficiency Programs, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently recognized two Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) energy efficiency programs for outstanding effectiveness and innovation.  The utility's Residential Multifamily Housing Program was honored as an "exemplary" program, while the PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program was lauded with an "honorable mention." The ACEEE review is a national awards program that honors America's leading energy efficiency initiatives.  PSE&G is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric utility.

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"Our Multifamily Housing Program has made thousands of apartments more energy efficient for their occupants and our Hospital Efficiency Program is currently helping 28 hospitals in New Jersey reduce their utility bills, decrease their maintenance costs and improve patient comfort," said Joe Forline, vice president - customer solutions, PSE&G.  "We're making these and other investments that provide for much better use of energy in market segments that would otherwise be overlooked, so it's rewarding for us to see these programs get the kind of national praise and attention they deserve."

Programs selected for honors by ACEEE were judged especially noteworthy for their effectiveness and innovation in helping customers achieve greater levels of energy efficiency in their homes, businesses, and industries.

"These programs are delivering energy savings that are critical in helping customers reduce their energy costs, plus they make an important environmental contribution by reducing pollution from the use of fossil fuels," noted ACEEE's Utilities Program Director Dan York, Ph.D.  "ACEEE conducted this national review to recognize these outstanding energy efficiency initiatives and honor the people and organizations responsible for their success."

PSE&G's $39 million Residential Multifamily Housing Program helps multifamily housing complexes become more energy efficient and allows renters to realize the benefits of living in an energy efficient building.  The program has proven to be highly successful in terms of customer participation to date with more than 500 buildings having over 16,000 individual apartments enrolled or active in the program; of which nearly 50 percent are senior housing.  There are also more than 100 additional buildings with over 5,000 living units currently undergoing application review. 

PSE&G's Hospital Efficiency Program is a $129 million initiative that provides an investment grade audit at no cost to the customer, then proposes various cost effective energy conservation measures that make a substantial impact on the hospital's energy efficiency.  PSE&G provides up-front funding for the total cost of a project and the hospital repays a portion on their PSE&G utility bill at zero percent interest over 36 months. To date, 28 hospitals either have completed or are currently undergoing significant energy efficiency upgrades through the program. The PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program is one of only four programs in the U.S. that specifically targets hospitals for energy efficiency improvements and the only program where the utility bears all of the upfront capital costs. 

Both programs currently have waiting lists of applicants and PSE&G is hoping to expand these initiatives in the near future.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the Reliability One Award for superior electric system reliability.  PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)