NJ Will Use $5M To Combat Urban Heat Islands In Newark, Trenton, Camden, Other Big Cities

NEWARK, NJ — They’re known as “urban heat islands” – places where a lack of greenery and proliferation of pavement create sweltering hotspots. This is the environmental challenge that New Jersey is hoping to combat with a multi-million-dollar grant program, officials say.

Earlier this month, several state agencies announced the launch of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation program, a $5 million initiative to help New Jersey’s most vulnerable communities combat extreme heat and rising energy costs this summer.

What is an urban heat island? According to state officials:

“An urban heat island occurs when cities and densely developed areas become significantly hotter than nearby rural regions, especially in summer. The prevalence of impervious surfaces, such as pavement and buildings, results in heat retention, while a lack of trees and green spaces limits natural cooling.”

In New Jersey, cities like Newark, Trenton, Camden and Jersey City are among the Northeast’s most intense UHIs, alongside neighboring metropolises like New York City, Boston and Philadelphia.

These population centers can register temperatures between five and 20 degrees hotter than surrounding areas, driving up electric bills, escalating health risks and putting more stress on already overburdened power grids.

And it’s time to do something about it, officials say.

“With more severe and frequent extreme weather events becoming our new normal, New Jersey is taking a whole-of-government approach to mitigate the worst impacts of extreme heat,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

Officials noted that the launch of the new grant program comes on the heels of a major heat wave. From June 17 to June 24, temperatures in the state’s largest city – Newark – reached a scorching 103 degrees.

• See Related: Newark Ties Its Record For Highest Temperature During NJ Heatwave

Atlantic City and several other towns – including Hackettstown, Hammonton, Lower Alloways Creek, Oswego Lake and Vineland – also exceeded 100 degrees over that time period.

Meanwhile, humidity levels increased the “feels like” temperatures to 105 degrees, creating widespread power outages, causing “buckling” on parts of I-287 and sparking surges in emergency room visits across the state. Read More: I-287 Buckles—Again—As Heat Wave Causes More Damage

According to state officials, UHIs arose from “decades of systemic inequities” – including historic redlining and ongoing disinvestment – leaving communities of color and low-income communities with minimal access to green infrastructure.

• See Related: NJ Is Transforming An Abandoned Railway Into A Hiking And Biking Path

The new grant program was announced in a joint statement from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Interagency Council on Climate Resilience.

HOW TO GET A GRANT

The UHI Mitigation Program for fiscal year 2026 (FY2026), funded by the New Jersey Clean Energy Fund, will provide grants in three categories:

Comprehensive UHI Interventions – Up to $1 million each for two major neighborhood revitalization projects, including expanded tree canopy, green infrastructure, cool pavements, smart-misting systems, and other cooling infrastructure.

Cooling the Built Environment – Up to $500,000 each for four upgrades to public buildings and cooling centers, with features like cool roofs, green roofs, geothermal heat pumps, and battery storage to create resilience hubs — especially vital for communities with a high percentage of renters.

Urban Micro-climate Interventions – Up to $50,000 each for 20 community-led projects such as shaded bus stops, community gardens, and water stations. All projects must be located on public land or in publicly accessible spaces.

The Notice of Funding Availability will be published to the New Jersey Register in August 2025. Applications open in September 2025 and will be accepted for 90 days, closing in December.

Grant awards are expected to be announced in spring 2026, with funded projects beginning by summer 2026. For updates, eligibility details, and application instructions, visit www.nj.gov/bpu

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