NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service
Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) today announced a $75,000 grant from the PSEG Foundation to foster
a partnership between Habitat for Humanity Newark & Greater
Elizabeth (Habitat) and the New
Jersey Board of Public Utilities' (BPU) Comfort Partners
Program. The goal is to increase the energy efficiency and
livability of homes in Newark,
where PSE&G is headquartered.
Habitat, particularly through its Neighborhood Revitalization
Program identifies and remediates home weatherization issues and
provides rehabilitation, home preservation, and critical repairs as
well as support for broader community development issues. The BPU's
Comfort Partners Program offers free energy-saving improvements and
energy education for income-eligible families. PSE&G is
one of six utilities in the state that help administer the Comfort
Partners initiative.
"Over the last 15 years the New Jersey Comfort Partners Program
has helped over 100,000 lower income residents and families save
money on their energy bills by improving the efficient use of
energy within their homes," said Richard S.
Mroz, President of the NJ Board of Public Utilities. "The
Comfort Partners Program is one of many Board approved energy
efficiency programs that in totality have invested more than
$3.1 billion in nearly 1.5 million
energy saving projects that have reduced electric use by
approximately 7% - enough energy savings compounded over 15 years
to power about 3.1 million homes."
Courtney McCormick, vice
president - renewables and energy solutions for PSE&G noted
that, "PSE&G has a long-standing commitment to helping our
customers save money and use energy more wisely. As a Newark-based company, it is especially
rewarding when we can help in the neighborhoods and homes right in
our own backyard. This grant and partnership will enable us
to provide needed improvements to make homes safe, comfortable and
affordable for families in Newark."
The partnership and PSEG Foundation grant will allow the Habitat
program and the Comfort Partners Program to work together to make
repairs to homes that may not fit the criteria of either one
program alone because too much repair work is required.
Jeffrey J. Farrell, CEO of
Habitat Newark & Greater Elizabeth, said he is looking forward
to the program expanding into other neighborhoods. It focuses on
critical home repairs, such as roof repair/replacement, siding
repair/replacement and window replacement with the goal of
maintaining healthy living for low income families, seniors and
veterans.
"There is a misperception in the community that Habitat for
Humanity is just about building homes for our Partner Families,"
Farrell said. "But the mission is much broader. While, yes, we are
certainly committed to ensuring families have safe homes and can
achieve the American Dream of home ownership, we are equally
committed to building and safeguarding neighborhoods."
"This generous grant opens the door for so much new opportunity
in the neighborhoods we serve," Farrell added. "We will leverage
this funding to the greatest extent possible, urging other partners
and sponsors to join in the effort. It is our full intention for
this program to make a lasting, permanent mark on Newark."
Habitat has an immediate goal of replacing roofs on 10 homes,
replacing windows on eight homes and repairing or replacing siding
on four homes. The organization will also match the $75,000 PSEG Foundation grant, while marketing
the program to other potential funders.
About Habitat for Humanity Newark & Greater
Elizabeth
Habitat for Humanity Newark & Greater
Elizabeth, founded in 1986, is an ecumenical Christian ministry
dedicated to building simple, decent homes with low-income families
in Essex and Union counties. Using volunteer labor and
tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat has helped
many low income families move into new homes. Partner families
contribute up to 400 hours of "sweat equity" on their home or other
homes financed with zero interest loans. Habitat also has a growing
Neighborhood Revitilization Program. For more information please
visit www.HabitatNewark.org.
About PSE&G
Public Service Electric and Gas
Company (PSE&G) is New
Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric
delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's
population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne
Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is
a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG)
(NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).
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SOURCE PSE&G