NJEDA Seeks Information to Support Commercial Building Decarbonization Projects

Update (June 29, 2023): The deadline to respond to this RFI has been extended to July 24^th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

TRENTON, N.J. (June 13, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) yesterday issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking insight from qualified stakeholders on opportunities to accelerate building decarbonization within the commercial building sector. The information gathered through the RFI will guide the development of programs to reduce harmful emissions from New Jersey’s building sector; the second highest source of overall greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The RFI can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/bidding/#OET with responses due by July 6.

WHAT: The NJEDA is exploring the creation of programs, especially around project financing, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing and new commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings within the state. The RFI issued yesterday will ensure the Authority has a better understanding of key opportunities and barriers of building decarbonization, as well as specific partnerships, funding, programs, and other resources needed to support the acceleration of decarbonization efforts. Building decarbonization efforts include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency improvements, on-site renewable energy generation, and the reduction of operational emissions via fuel switching or beneficial electrification.

Commercial buildings alone account for 10 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey, emphasizing the critical need of robust building decarbonization efforts in reducing overall statewide emissions. In line with Governor Phil Murphy’s vision to bolster New Jersey’s clean energy economy and reduce dependance on harmful pollutants, the RFI is an important step in the continuation of the NJEDA’s efforts to support the state’s innovative clean energy industries and further the Governor’s goal of reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050.

WHO: Respondents do not need to be located within the State of New Jersey to provide input. The RFI seeks responses from qualified entities, organizations, and individuals in commercial building decarbonization efforts. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Commercial building owners and property developers of all development models and sizes, including those with single buildings or larger portfolios
• Financial institutions involved in real estate transactions and construction financing
• Building management, maintenance, and operations personnel
• Building construction businesses and workers, including, but not limited to, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and unions
• Other businesses and associated trade groups (restaurants, manufacturers, retailers, grocers, etc.)
• Building design professionals (engineers, architects, planners, modelers, etc.), especially those with experience in green buildings, energy management, and building decarbonization approaches
• Subject matter experts and entities with expertise on green building technologies and best practices, including research institutions
• Manufacturers and installers for electric heating and cooling systems (including heat pumps and variable refrigerant flow systems) and other electric appliances
• Energy efficiency, building envelope, and related contractors
• Utility providers and operators
• Environmental and other public policy-focused organizations
• Organizations representing Environmental Justice communities (together with individual representatives of these communities)
• And Jurisdictional and regulatory representatives (from New Jersey, all other states and territories, and international sources)

HOW TO RESPOND: All questions concerning this RFI must be submitted in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 19, 2023, via e-mail to buildingdecarbRFI@njeda.gov. The subject line of the e-mail should state: Questions-2023-RFI-180. Answers to questions submitted will be publicly posted on the Authority’s website on or about June 26, 2023, at https://www.njeda.gov/bidding/#OET as Addendum.

All RFI responses must be submitted in writing no later than 5:00 PM EDT on July 6, 2023, via e-mail to: buildingdecarbRFI@njeda.gov. The subject line of the e-mail should state: RFI Response-2023-RFI-180.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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