NJBPU Closes Out Schools and Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program

For Immediate Release:	Contact: Alonza Robertson
Date: 10/27/2026	609-913-6237

Puts Nearly $180 Million in Federal Funds to Work Statewide

TRENTON, N.J. — October 27, 2026 — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today announced the closeout of the Schools and Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus (SSB) Program, a five-year initiative that obligated $179.2 million of a federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) appropriation across 364 projects. To date, $166.2 million has been paid out, and final payments on 19 projects are under way.

“With nearly $180 million in federal funds committed, this program transitioned schools and small businesses from outdated systems to verified, code-compliant HVAC and plumbing upgrades,” said NJBPU President Ben Hertz-Shargel. “The result is better indoor air quality and lower operating costs that will persist beyond the program’s closeout.”

Two Program Tracks

·        Ventilation/HVAC assessment, repair, and replacement

·        Plumbing fixture and outdated commercial appliance replacement

Grants covered up to 75 percent of eligible costs, with a 25 percent local contribution, and prioritized school districts and small businesses in underserved communities (where at least 75 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals).

The legislation was signed in August 2021, creating the SSB Program Fund within NJBPU and directing nearly $180 million in ARPA funding to the effort.

The SSB Program helped schools and small businesses recover from pandemic-related disruptions by repairing or replacing HVAC systems and noncompliant plumbing fixtures and appliances, improving indoor air quality and public health while advancing energy efficiency goals. Certified energy auditors and qualified HVAC technicians verified each project through ventilation rate testing, filtration upgrades, and CO₂ monitoring in schools to ensure systems met current standards.

Where the $179.2 Million Went

•        $171.4 million (≈96%) supported HVAC work

•        $7.8 million (≈4%) supported plumbing and appliance upgrades

•        $72.3 million (≈40%) went to projects in underserved communities

Projects, Obligations, and Payments

Category	Projects	Obligated	Paid Out
HVAC — Underserved Schools	68	$67,265,099	$61,731,041
HVAC — Other Schools	93	$97,712,079	$90,258,946
HVAC — Underserved Small Businesses	11	$1,407,861	$1,407,403
HVAC — Other Small Businesses	34	$5,005,666	$5,005,666
Plumbing — Underserved Schools	86	$3,325,186	$3,325,186
Plumbing — Other Schools	62	$3,475,080	$3,475,079
Plumbing — Underserved Small Businesses	2	$257,440	$257,440
Plumbing — Other Small Businesses	8	$729,005	$729,005
Total	364	$179,177,415	$166,189,766

HVAC Track

The HVAC track alone includes 206 projects totaling $171.4 million in obligations, with $158.4 million paid out to date, serving 84 school districts and small businesses.

Recent Completions

School District	Track	Projects	Total Paid
Irvington Public Schools	HVAC	2	$4,996,659
Plainfield Board of Education	HVAC	2	$4,995,733
High Point Regional High School	HVAC	1	$1,981,350
Union Township Public Schools	HVAC	2	$1,285,215
Swedesboro-Woolwich School District	HVAC	4	$2,029,935
Denville Board of Education	HVAC	2	$1,767,432
Salem City Board of Education	HVAC	1	$3,083,047
Elizabeth Public Schools	HVAC	14	$4,369,036
Egg Harbor City Public Schools	HVAC	1	$929,548
Manasquan Public School District	HVAC	2	$1,836,996
Paulsboro Public Schools	HVAC	3	$4,999,988
Toms River Regional Schools	Plumbing	9	$429,760
Bridgeton Board of Education	Plumbing	5	$212,107

A final cohort of 19 projects – including work for Lenape Regional High School District; the Long Branch, Newark, Passaic, Brick Township, Hasbrouck Heights, Washington Township, and Union Township school districts; and the City of Burlington Public Schools – is completing final inspection, verification, and incentive payments. About $13.0 million in payments remains.

Click here to see the full list of recipients.

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
The NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by the NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility services, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility incidents. To find out more, visit www.nj.gov/bpu/.

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