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Commission recommends council pursue Sustainable Jersey outreach grant for whole‑home energy assessments
Summary
The commission voted to recommend the township pursue a Sustainable Jersey outreach grant that would connect disadvantaged neighborhoods with PSE&G-funded whole‑home energy assessments performed by Honeywell; commissioners discussed costs, eligibility and steps to apply for a $5,000 outreach grant.
The Franklin Township Environmental Commission voted May 18 to recommend that the township council support a Sustainable Jersey outreach grant and letter from the mayor to help bring whole‑home energy assessments to disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Commissioner/presenter (S8) explained PSE&G has contracted a subconsultant called JPI to identify neighborhoods for outreach; if residents sign up, Honeywell would perform whole‑home energy assessments. The presenter said most assessments are free but in some cases participants may be charged between $99 and $150; the township may apply for an outreach grant of up to $5,000 to reimburse residents who must pay an assessment fee. The commission's recommendation would ask the mayor to sign a letter supporting outreach and ask the council to approve any required purchasing and grant application steps.
Commission members asked about eligibility and costs. S8 said the program intends to target disadvantaged or overburdened communities as identified by DEP and that the consultant would supply maps of identified neighborhoods. At a motion from Committee member (S3) — seconded in meeting record — the commission voted to forward the recommendation to council to proceed with the outreach and optional $5,000 grant application; the meeting recorded an affirmative voice vote.
Commissioners emphasized transparency about costs in outreach materials and requested that staff obtain clearer estimates of typical upgrade costs residents might face after assessments. The recommendation is advisory and will require council approval and a purchasing process if the township opts to use grant funds to reimburse participant charges.
