New Jersey Resources
NEW JERSEY RESOURCES HONORED BY THE EPA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EFFORTS
04/27/2007 - For Immediate ReleaseNJR’s largest subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), has been the primary driver of customer communications about the Conserve to Preserve™ campaign, aimed at providing customers with the tools and information they need to make wise energy decisions every day. The program was launched last fall after NJNG received approval from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for an innovative new rate mechanism that allows the company to encourage customer conservation while ensuring the capital necessary to maintain a safe and reliable distribution system.
“We recognized it was time to change the way we do business and align the interests of our customers, company and state,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of NJR. “Through Conserve to Preserve, not only are we helping our customers save money, we are helping them support and advance the energy conservation and environmental protection policies of the state, areas in which New Jersey is a leader.”
“EPA applauds the tireless dedication of the award winners, who are truly environmental champions,” said Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “Their extraordinary contributions make our world a better place and remind us that individuals really can make a difference.”
Since receiving BPU approval, NJNG customers have been sent a customized Conserve to Preserve™ booklet which calculated how much each of the company’s nearly half a million customers could save by following simple, low-cost energy saving tips. Based upon their historical usage and current prices, customers’ booklets contained a personalized value for each of three tips.
Other efforts have included a free monthly e-mail service providing tips to customers about ways to save energy and money through special offers and manufacturers’ rebates, a “savings seal” to identify any information that will help reduce energy usage and a special zero percent financing offer through Commerce Bank for upgrades to high-efficiency equipment. NJR is also working with others in their service territory, including local contractors, community leaders and educators to raise awareness about Conserve to Preserve™ and the many initiatives the company is undertaking.
Last month, NJR also became the first utility in the state to embrace Governor Jon S. Corzine’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020. The company will accomplish this through a variety of environmental initiatives, including purchasing 100 percent of its electricity needs through the BPU’s CleanPower Choice program and converting its fleet to hybrid, high-efficiency or duel-fuel vehicles. In conjunction with this goal, NJR launched “Planting for Our Future,” a program that enables customers to donate trees, at a cost of $5 per tree, to offset their carbon emissions. The company will match up to $250,000 of customer donations over the next five years.
The EPA’s Environmental Quality Awards honor individuals and organizations who have contributed significantly to improving the environment during the prior year in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, collectively known as the EPA’s Region 2. Award winners must have significantly contributed to improving environmental quality in the region, demonstrated a high achievement level in the award category and created unique or location-specific benefits, produced results that are sustainable or reproducible or increased public involvement in environmental action.
Recently, NJR was also honored by the New Jersey Communications, Advertising and Marketing Association and the New Jersey Chapter of the Business Marketing Association for its dynamic 2006 annual report, focused on energy conservation and environmental protection. The report featured vivid photographs of children to remind readers that the choices made today about energy and the environment will have an impact on future generations
New Jersey Resources (NYSE:NJR), a Fortune 1000 company and a member of the Forbes Platinum 400, provides reliable retail and wholesale energy services to customers in New Jersey and in states from the Gulf Coast to New England, and Canada. Its principal subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas, is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 476,000 customers in central and northern New Jersey. Other major NJR subsidiaries include NJR Energy Services and NJR Home Services. NJR Energy Services is a leader in the wholesale energy services market, providing customer service and management of natural gas storage and capacity assets. NJR Home Services offers retail customers heating, air conditioning and appliance services. NJR’s progress is a tribute to the more than 5,000 dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make NJR a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJR’s Web site at njliving.com.
Contact:
Michael Kinney, Media
732-938-1031
Beacon Technologies, Inc.
