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TRENTON – A legislative package sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee, which would promote energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in New Jersey was approved by the Senate today.

“Energy efficient technology and renewable energy systems are the wave of the future, and represent our best way to conserve our world’s ever-dwindling natural resources,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “Not only does energy efficiency and renewable energy make great environmental sense, but as New Jerseyans look to stretch every penny farther during the current economic downturn, these concepts have practical fiscal benefit, too. We need to promote new renewable energy projects and energy efficiency standards to move away from our dependence on foreign oil and give New Jerseyans an option for low-cost home energy.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, which would create a program for down-payment assistance for home buyers looking to purchase enhanced energy efficient homes was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 8-4, with 3 abstentions.

“As homebuyers are trying to stretch every penny to the limit, energy efficient construction is becoming a major selling point in the struggling real estate market,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “I think many homebuyers recognize that, while they may have to pay a little bit more up front for an energy efficient home, overall, they will be saving bundles on their home energy and heating bills. This bill would make energy efficient homes even more attractive for environmentally aware and cost-savvy homebuyers, and enhance the State’s conservation and emission control efforts.”

BRICK – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, which would create a program for down-payment assistance for home buyers looking to purchase enhanced energy efficient homes was approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today by a vote of 3-0, with one abstention.

“I think many homebuyers today have become more sophisticated about the long-term costs of maintaining their homes,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “As a result, Energy Star appliances are becoming more prevalent, and proper insulation and weather sealing are becoming more important to those in the housing market. New Jersey should encourage and promote energy efficiency to not only reduce our State’s collective carbon footprint, but also to drive the cost of energy down in the Garden State.”