New Jersey businesses are under growing pressure from rising energy costs. Across our state, employers of every size are feeling the impact of increasing electricity demand and concerns about whether supply can keep pace. In today’s economic climate, helping businesses better manage energy use and costs is essential to maintaining New Jersey’s competitive edge.
New power generation will be necessary to meet long-term demand, but large infrastructure projects take years to build. Businesses need solutions that can deliver results now. That is why energy efficiency must be treated as a central part of New Jersey’s energy strategy.
The most affordable energy is the energy we do not have to use. When businesses invest in more efficient equipment, lighting, heating, cooling and building systems, they lower operating costs immediately while also reducing strain on the electric grid. At scale, those savings help stabilize costs and improve reliability for everyone.
New Jersey’s utility-run energy efficiency programs are already helping businesses achieve those results. These programs provide practical tools and financial incentives that allow companies to modernize facilities, reduce waste, and reinvest savings back into their operations.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce experienced these benefits firsthand at our historic headquarters in Trenton through PSE&G’s Direct Install Program. Like many older buildings across the state, our headquarters faced mounting maintenance challenges, inefficiencies, and rising operating costs. Through the program, we upgraded critical systems, improved reliability and comfort, and reduced long-term energy expenses in a way that made financial sense for our organization. And we are exploring ways to realize future benefits from the program.
The operational benefits have been just as important. Fewer maintenance emergencies and lower ongoing energy costs have allowed our staff to spend less time troubleshooting building issues and more time focused on serving our members. Over time, those savings can be redirected into the Chamber’s core priorities, including advocacy, networking, and supporting New Jersey’s business community.
That experience reinforced an important lesson: energy efficiency is not simply a facilities upgrade. It is a smart business decision that helps organizations operate more effectively, manage costs, and strengthen long-term stability while also supporting the reliability of the shared electric grid that keeps New Jersey’s economy moving.
As New Jersey policymakers consider the future of these programs, they should recognize the important role energy efficiency plays in supporting our economy. Preserving strong incentives and ensuring utilities have the flexibility to design programs that meet the needs of different industries and regions will help more businesses participate and realize savings.
At a time when employers are facing economic uncertainty and rising costs across the board, energy efficiency stands out as a proven, immediate, and cost-effective solution. The programs are working. Businesses are benefiting. And expanding these efforts will help strengthen New Jersey’s economy while supporting a more reliable and affordable energy future for everyone.
Tom Bracken is president & CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
