Sustainable Jersey + PSE&G – Energy Efficiency Partnership Program (2026–2027)
Grants of Up to $25,000 Plus Free Technical Assistance for Eligible New Jersey Municipalities
The Sustainable Jersey–PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership Program provides eligible New Jersey municipalities with free technical assistance, customized outreach resources, and flexible grant funding to reduce energy use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and help residents and local businesses access energy-efficiency programs and incentives.
Municipalities can participate through three different program tracks focused on residential outreach, commercial outreach, or energy efficiency in municipal facilities. Funding opportunities available to program participants range from $2,500 start-up grants to competitive grants of up to $25,000.
The current application period is open through Friday, November 6, 2026.
Organizations: Sustainable Jersey and PSE&G
Support Type: Grants, technical assistance, outreach resources, and capacity-building support
Funding Amount: $2,500–$25,000 depending on funding opportunity
Geographic Focus: Eligible New Jersey municipalities fully served by PSE&G for both electricity and natural gas
Deadline: November 6, 2026
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About the Program
Sustainable Jersey and PSE&G created the Energy Efficiency Partnership Program to help New Jersey communities take advantage of energy-efficiency programs, incentives, and technical resources.
The initiative provides participating municipalities with hands-on support designed to make local energy-efficiency efforts easier to plan and implement.
The program can help municipalities improve the efficiency of their own facilities while also encouraging residents and small businesses to participate in available PSE&G energy-efficiency programs.
What This Program Supports
Municipalities select one of three tracks when initially entering the program.
Track 1: Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign
Participating municipalities develop community-wide campaigns encouraging residents to take advantage of available residential energy-efficiency programs and incentives.
Sustainable Jersey provides individualized technical assistance and resources to help municipalities identify partners, establish campaign goals, develop an outreach strategy, and implement the campaign.
Track 2: Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign
This track helps municipalities engage local small and medium-sized businesses and connect them with PSE&G energy-efficiency programs and incentives.
Municipalities receive support developing and implementing a locally tailored outreach campaign.
Track 3: Technical Assistance for Energy Efficiency in Municipal Facilities
Municipalities receive free, customized technical assistance to improve the energy performance of publicly owned buildings.
Support can include:
- Establishing a municipal building portfolio and energy tracking system
- Reviewing energy use and costs
- Identifying energy-efficiency opportunities
- Understanding PSE&G and New Jersey Clean Energy Program incentives and rebates
- Preparing applications for available incentives
- Supporting documentation for Sustainable Jersey energy actions
Most Track 3 technical-assistance engagements last approximately three to six months.
Customized Outreach Resources
Municipalities participating in the residential or commercial outreach tracks can receive access to customized outreach tools and professional services.
Resources may include:
- Customized community campaign websites
- Professional videography featuring local residents or businesses
- Direct mail campaigns
- Banners and signage
- Table runners and event materials
- Flyers and promotional materials
- Press release templates
- Social media resources
- PSE&G promotional materials and giveaways
These resources are provided in addition to grant funding available through the program.
Funding Opportunities
Participation can unlock several different funding opportunities.
$2,500 Program Start-Up Grant
Participating municipalities may receive a noncompetitive $2,500 start-up grant for each program track implemented.
Funding supports early-stage planning and staffing.
No detailed scope of work or budget is required.
Before receiving funding, municipalities must submit an approved municipal resolution and participate in an intake meeting.
$5,000 Residential Outreach Campaign Grant
Municipalities participating in the Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign may compete for a $5,000 grantto support campaign implementation.
Funding may support:
- Outreach events
- Materials
- Staffing
- Other campaign expenses
Applicants submit a short application and budget after their outreach plan has been approved and they have participated in required cohort sessions.
$5,000 Commercial Outreach Campaign Grant
Municipalities participating in the Commercial Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign may similarly compete for a $5,000 grant.
Funding may support events, staffing, materials, and other expenses associated with engaging local businesses in energy-efficiency programs.
$10,000–$25,000 Staffing & Community Engagement Grants
Municipalities with a demonstrated track record of engagement in the program’s outreach tracks may become eligible for competitive Staffing & Community Engagement grants of $10,000 to $25,000.
These larger grants are designed to strengthen campaign administration and staffing and help municipalities maintain an active community-wide energy-efficiency outreach effort.
Eligible funding may support municipal staff or a designated nonprofit community partner.
Staffing & Community Engagement Grant Uses
Larger Staffing & Community Engagement grants may be used to:
- Expand staffing for outreach campaigns
- Compensate municipal staff working on the campaign
- Compensate staff of a nonprofit community partner
- Pay volunteers or interns for program-related work
- Fund an existing staff position
- Support hiring a new employee
- Strengthen community partnerships
- Staff energy-efficiency outreach events
- Maintain a coordinated community presence throughout the campaign
A new employee does not need to be hired before the grant application is submitted.
Eligibility
To participate in the 2026–2027 program, applicants must:
- Be a New Jersey municipality
- Receive both electricity and natural gas service from PSE&G
- Be served 100% by PSE&G for those utilities
Municipalities do not have to be currently registered or certified with Sustainable Jersey to participate.
Low- and moderate-income, overburdened, and distressed municipalities are specifically encouraged to apply.
Priority for some competitive grants may be given to distressed municipalities based on the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Municipal Revitalization Index.
Current Participants May Apply
The current application round is open to both:
- Municipalities applying to the partnership for the first time
- Municipalities already participating in the program that would like to begin an additional track
The long-term goal is for participating municipalities to eventually complete all three tracks.
Municipalities may move through the program at their own pace, subject to available resources.
Required Municipal Resolution
Applicants must provide a municipal resolution demonstrating their governing body’s commitment to participating in the program.
This is separate from the standard resolution used to register for Sustainable Jersey certification.
Applicants are encouraged to begin the municipal approval process early.
If a signed resolution cannot be completed before the application deadline, applicants should contact Sustainable Jersey regarding the process for providing a proposed resolution and anticipated approval date.
Selection Process
Sustainable Jersey staff review applications for eligibility and commitment to program participation.
An interview with municipal staff may be requested during the review process.
Competitive funding opportunities may also consider factors including:
- Potential community impact
- Scope of the proposed work
- Number of residents served
- Size of the municipality
- Service to high-need residents
- Partnerships with nonprofit community organizations
- Demonstrated engagement with the Partnership Program
Because the program provides substantial individualized technical assistance, Sustainable Jersey may limit participation based on available capacity.
Eligible Expenses
Program grant funding may generally support direct or indirect expenses associated with participation in the Energy Efficiency Partnership Program.
Examples include:
- Outreach materials
- Contractors and consultants
- Professional services
- Staff compensation
- Volunteer compensation
- Energy tracking and management
- Utility data collection
- Participation in training sessions
- Outreach campaign planning
- Community events
- Campaign implementation
Specific eligible expenses depend on the grant and program track.
Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements vary depending on the funding received.
Recipients of the $2,500 start-up grant provide a short statement describing use of the funds and accomplishments.
Recipients of $5,000 outreach grants submit a brief final report and itemized expense list.
Recipients of the larger Staffing & Community Engagement grants are subject to quarterly deliverables and reporting, as well as a final report and documentation of expenses.
Timeline
📅 Current Application Period: Open now
📅 Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026
📅 Program Period: 2026–2027
📅 Outreach Campaign Launch: Participants are expected to make a good-faith effort to launch within six months of receiving start-up funding
📅 Municipal Facilities Track: Foundational activities should begin within three months of receiving start-up funding
Application / Request Process
Applications must be submitted through the Sustainable Jersey–PSE&G Partnership Program online application portal.
New applicants must create a separate program account. Municipalities already participating in the program should use their existing Partnership Program account when applying for another track.
Applicants initially select one of the three program tracks and provide basic municipal information, contacts, proposed energy-efficiency goals, authorization, and the required municipal resolution.
Apply Online:
➡️ https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/sjpsegeeppapp
Program Information / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.sustainablejersey.com/grants/sj-pseg-energy-efficiency-partnership-program/
2026–2027 Program Information Packet:
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is a strong fit for New Jersey municipalities that:
- Receive both electric and natural gas service from PSE&G
- Want to lower municipal energy costs
- Need technical assistance evaluating municipal facilities
- Want to help residents access energy-efficiency programs
- Want to engage small businesses in energy-efficiency opportunities
- Need funding to expand sustainability or energy outreach capacity
- Have limited municipal staff available to develop an energy-efficiency initiative independently
- Can benefit from customized outreach resources and hands-on technical assistance
The program is particularly valuable because it combines direct grant funding with substantial technical assistance and ready-to-use communications resources, rather than simply providing a one-time grant.
It may also create opportunities for nonprofit partnerships: while nonprofits cannot apply directly for the overall partnership program, eligible municipalities receiving larger Staffing & Community Engagement grants may use funding to compensate a designated nonprofit community partner helping lead an outreach campaign.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Current Deadline: November 6, 2026
Geographic Focus: New Jersey municipalities served 100% by PSE&G for electricity and natural gas
Applicant Type: Municipal governments
Initial Funding: $2,500 noncompetitive start-up grant per track
Outreach Grants: $5,000 competitive grants
Advanced Funding: $10,000–$25,000 Staffing & Community Engagement grants for qualifying participants
Additional Support: Free technical assistance, training, customized outreach resources, and professional services
Program Tracks: Residential outreach, commercial outreach, and municipal facility energy efficiency
Priority: Low- and moderate-income, overburdened, and distressed communities are encouraged to participate
Best Suited For: Eligible New Jersey municipalities seeking funding and hands-on assistance to reduce energy use and expand community participation in energy-efficiency programs
Nonprofit Opportunity: Nonprofits cannot directly apply to the partnership program, but may potentially serve as compensated community partners through larger Staffing & Community Engagement grants
