Title
Dept/ Agency: Administration/Office of Business Administrator
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Application for Grant Funds
Purpose: To Apply for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) Community Energy Planning Grant to develop Newark’s Community Energy Plan in alignment with New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan.
Entity Name: New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
Entity Address: 44 South Clinton Avenue, 1st Floor, Trenton, NJ 08625
Grant Amount: $25,000.00
City Contribution: $0.00
Other Funding Source/Amount:$ 0.00
Grant Period: January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor ( ) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS
( ) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP ( ) RFQ
( ) Private Sale (X ) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a
Additional Information:
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Community Energy Planning Grant program supports municipalities in developing local community energy plans that align with the State’s Energy Master Plan: Pathway to 2050. The program enables municipalities to assess local energy use, plan for renewable energy integration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and engage residents in developing equitable clean energy strategies.
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WHEREAS, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has created a Community Energy Plan Grant program for municipalities to develop a community energy plan to meet the goals of the State’s Energy Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Energy Master Plan: Pathway to 2050 established that community-level action is essential to achieving the State’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the Community Energy Planning Grant program will enable the City of Newark (the “City”) to assess energy usage, identify opportunities for renewable energy deployment, promote energy efficiency, and establish strategies that advance equitable access to clean energy for all residents; and
WHEREAS, the City is invested in developing a comprehensive community energy plan to support statewide clean energy goals and to ensure local benefits such as reduced energy costs, improved air quality, and enhanced community resilience; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to further the public interest by obtaining funding from the NJPBU as the City strives to assure clean land, air, and water for current and future generations; and
WHEREAS, on July 11, 2025, on behalf of the City, the Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation applied to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) Community Energy Planning Grant Program requesting grant funding in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00) from the Community Energy Plan Grant Program for developing sustainable strategies that increase clean energy production, reduce energy use, and cut emission; with no City funds required (a copy of the application is attached hereto and made a part hereof); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Grant Application, a copy of which is attached hereto, the City is required to submit a Resolution from the Municipal Council authorizing submission of the Grant Application; and
WHEREAS, this Grant requires no municipal cost share or contribution;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, are hereby authorized to submit an application for grant funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00) for the development of Newark’s Community Energy Plan.
2. The Municipal Council ratifies its authorization of this Application from the date of Application submission to the date of this authorizing Resolution.
3. No municipal funds are required for receipt or acceptance of this Grant Award.
4. The Business Administrator shall file a fully executed copy of the Grant Application in the Office of the City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This Resolution ratifies and authorizes the Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, to submit an Application for Grant
Funds in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00) from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Community Energy Planning Grant Program. The Grant will support the development of Newark’s Community Energy Plan in alignment with the State’s Energy Master Plan: Pathway to 2050. The plan will identify strategies to reduce energy use, expand renewable energy, and advance equitable access to clean energy across all neighborhoods. No municipal funds are required.