For all the talk about energy generation and the grid — and they are two topics that are very important to the energy future of the state — conservation still is an important topic.
And a money-saving one.
On Thursday, state and local officials joined representatives from PSE&G at the Montclair Public Library to honor the library’s energy-efficiency efforts.
Thanks to a bundled offering of energy-saving upgrades – the library has undertaken a $1.9 million modernization project that includes the installation of high-efficiency boilers, a new chiller, digital controls, and smart thermostats.
These upgrades aim to improve indoor comfort, reduce operational strain, and support long-term energy savings. Roughly 40% of the total project cost — $749,096 — was covered through PSE&G program incentives. The remaining balance is being repaid over five years through the utility’s interest-free on-bill repayment option.
The project is already making a difference, keeping the building cool and comfortable during the summer months and helping the library avoid further heat-related closures.
And it’s setting an example for what others can do.
Here’s the backstory: The Montclair Public Library is a cornerstone of the community, welcoming more than 185,000 visitors annually. But in recent years, outdated heating and cooling systems forced summer closures and disrupted programming.
This major investment, made possible through PSE&G’s Direct Install, Advanced Custom, and Energy Management programs, is helping the library create a safer, more comfortable space for residents while saving energy and lowering long-term costs.
Montclair Public Library Director Radwa Ali said the impact has been a game-changer.
“When our HVAC crisis hit just weeks into my job here at the library, a lasting solution felt almost impossible, but PSE&G made everything seamless,” she said. “I’m grateful for our resilient staff and the tireless work that’s made our beloved library a comfortable place once again.”
Rachael Fredericks, director of Energy Services at PSE&G, said projects like this one show that energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs, it’s about strengthening the institutions communities count on. She noted that, for the first time this year, the library will remain open and comfortable all summer, continuing to be a welcoming space for children, families and neighbors.
“We’re proud to be part of that story,” she said.
Lauren Thomas, PSE&G’s VP of Clean Energy Solutions-Customer Solutions, summed it up this way.
“This project is about more than just infrastructure – it’s about making sure vital community spaces like this can serve the public safely and efficiently,” she said. “We’re proud to support the Montclair Public Library in creating a more efficient and comfortable environment for the people who rely on it every day.”
The upgrades come at a critical time. During last summer’s heatwave, outdated HVAC systems pushed indoor temperatures into the 90s, forcing the library to close parts of the building and move children’s programs outdoors. With new equipment now in place, the library is far better equipped to stay open and welcoming during extreme weather.
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy obviously was pleased.
“This is really what good government is all about,” she said. “Projects like the Montclair Library that help secure over $125,000 in annual projected energy cost savings while providing a more comfortable space for the community.
“We’re helping residents save money and supporting community institutions.”
Montclair’s Mayor Renee Baskerville noted the significance of the location.
“This is more than just a library,” she said. “The Montclair Public Library serves many purposes in our community, especially since we lack a senior or community center. The recent improvements make the space comfortable year-round, and I’m deeply appreciative of our longstanding, impactful relationship with PSE&G.”
That relationship will impact the relationship the library has with the community.
Brendan Gill, Commissioner-At-Large of the Essex County Board of Commissioners, recalled the impact it has had on his family.
“Many summers, this library was the place my parents brought my siblings and me, not only to pick out a new book, but as a place of safety and community,” he said. “They knew if I said I was going to the library, it was a safe space.
“Today is the perfect combination of the way this process should work: good public policy at the state level, a great program supported by great state leaders, an excellent agency helping us administer it, and one of our most important corporate partners, PSE&G, for helping make it all happen.”
Assemblywoman Alixon Collzos-Gill said the impact of the effort will be felt in many ways moving forward.
“This project was about funding as well as it was about connecting the dots through partnerships, collaboration and resources,” she said. “Libraries are the hearts and conscience of our communities, and I thank PSE&G and NJBPU for answering our call when we needed them most.”
