Hoboken Deadline Nears For Residents To Make Choice About 'Green' Energy

HOBOKEN, NJ — The city of Hoboken recently announced the launch of a new renewable energy program that means residents will get a larger percentage of their energy supply from green sources. They will be automatically enrolled in the program if they don't "opt out" or "opt up" by Jan. 31, but can also choose to do so after the program starts, free of charge.

Under state law, electricity suppliers are required to source a minimum of roughly 23.5 percent of their load from solar, wind, geothermal, wave, tidal, landfill gas, and other renewable sources.

However, through the Hoboken Renewable Energy Program, the city will offer residents a new standard of 10 percent more electricity from renewable sources like wind or solar, through a new partnership with Direct Energy.

Residents with PSE&G will still get their monthly bill from that utility.

Residents will also have the choice to opt-up to have 100 percent of their electricity derived from renewable sources, or opt out of the program and maintain their current state minimum energy supply.

Residents will have until Jan. 31, 2022, to opt up or opt out, or they will be automatically enrolled with standard baseline service beginning in March 2022.

Find out more at the frequently asked questions page here.

“I am excited that after years of effort, residents will be able to take advantage of more renewable energy to power their homes,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “I invite all residents to consider choosing 100 percent renewable electricity through this program, which is a major step forward in our endeavor to reach net-zero energy by 2030, as established in the City’s Climate Action Plan. Together, we can all do our part to help ensure a brighter, greener future for younger generations.”

The city established the new program, they said, "to provide 10 percent more clean, green energy at a lower electricity supply price than what PSE&G is currently offering at 12.84 cents per kilowatt per hour compared to 13.3 cents per kilowatt per hour at the time of bid."

For those seeking to opt up to have 100 percent green energy, the cost is 14.54 cents per kilowatt per hour compared to PSE&G’s current price.

This program will become effective on March 1, 2022, and will continue until Nov. 30, 2023.

Residents may choose any option of participation and may opt out at any time during the term of the program with no fees or penalties.

Billing And More

While a resident’s supply of energy will be provided through the Hoboken Renewable Energy Program via Direct Energy, PSE&G will continue to distribute electricity to residents and be the resident’s utility company supplying them with their monthly bill. Residents will not receive a separate bill from Direct Energy.

The city has made strides towards its goals of achieving net-zero energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 as outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Earlier this year, the city was recertified as a Silver municipality through the Sustainable Jersey program and received an A- ranking from the CDP-ICLEI unified climate reporting system, a global rating system for climate action.

For more information on the Hoboken Renewable Energy Program, go to www.hobokennj.gov/renewableenergy, call 1-866-968-8065, or email aggregationsupport@directenergy.com.

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