The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is now accepting applications for its $5 million Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program, designed to help municipalities reduce energy costs and combat extreme heat through targeted cooling infrastructure.
Grant Tiers Available:
- Comprehensive Interventions – $1 million each for two large-scale projects such as green infrastructure, cool pavements, or misting systems.
- Built-Environment Upgrades – $500,000 each for four projects, including cool/green roofs, geothermal heat pumps, or resilient cooling centers.
- Micro-Climate Projects – $50,000 each for twenty community-led initiatives such as shaded bus stops, water stations, or community gardens.
Eligibility Requirements:
- All projects must be located on public or publicly accessible land.
- Priority will be given to proposals serving overburdened municipalities and communities with high energy burdens.
*Note - Overburdened municipalities and high energy communities in face elevated environmental and socioeconomic stress, marked by poverty, minority populations, limited English proficiency, and high Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI) distress scores (40+). Criteria are set by NJDEP and the BPU’s CEPG program. These designations prioritize funding and support.
Due Dates:
- Application Period Opens: September 2025
- Application Deadline: December 2025 (90-day window)
- Award Announcements: Spring 2026
- Project Launch: Summer 2026
How to Apply:
- Visit the NJBPU Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program page for full eligibility criteria, application instructions, and updates.
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.