Connors/Rumpf/Van Pelt Bill Would Assist Senior Communities in Getting Solar Panels for Clubhouses to Reduce Electric Costs

June 24, 2009

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

Connors/Rumpf/Van Pelt Bill Would Assist Senior Communities in Getting Solar Panels for Clubhouses to Reduce Electric Costs

Senior Communities would be eligible to receive grants and low interest loans for the purchase and installation of solar panels to their clubhouses under legislation recently introduced by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt. The 9th District Delegation’s energy cost reduction initiative would be offered under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, which is administered by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU).

“Skyrocketing electric costs are taking an increasingly heavy financial toll on ratepayers, especially seniors living on a fixed or retirement income,” said Senator Connors. “To provide some form of financial relief for utility costs, our Delegation has introduced legislation to make grants and low interest loans available to senior communities for the purpose of fitting their clubhouse with solar panels and utilizing other forms of solar technology. Since clubhouses are common areas, any costs savings achieved through the use of this technology could benefit every resident of the community.”

“With the understanding that seniors are having the most difficult time coping with increasing electric costs, our legislation would set aside grants and low interest loans specifically for age-restricted communities for use at their clubhouse,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “Solar technology offers the promise of reduced energy usage and lower electric bills. Electric bills can run pretty steep for some clubhouses, considering the size of the facility and its usage by residents for a host of activities. Senior communities could use the financial incentives proposed under our legislation to help control costs that can directly impact residents, such as association fees.”

The 9th District Delegation’s legislation, S-2976 and A-4095, was introduced on June 18. The measures were referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee and the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee of their respective Houses.

Assemblyman Van Pelt, a member of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee went on to add, “Nearly every time a member of our Delegation speaks at one of the 52 senior communities in our District, the first issue brought up by residents is rising energy costs. This is significant when considering our state has the highest property taxes in the nation and most of these residents live in the vicinity of the Garden State Parkway, on which tolls increased by 50 percent in just the past year. Basically, our initiative would afford senior communities the opportunity to reduce energy costs for their club house and participate in our nation’s growing movement toward ‘going green.’”