A New Jersey solar project by CS Energy.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Rutgers University and the NJBPU Division of Clean Energy to establish a Clean Energy Graduate Certificate Program. The Board approved the MOU at the February 12 Agenda Meeting.
“New Jersey has a long history of being a national leader in technological and policy innovation,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Training the next generation of clean energy professionals and policy leaders will serve the State and ratepayers well. By strengthening the career pipeline between New Jersey’s first-class research institutions like Rutgers University and state government, we are helping young professionals gain critical real-world experience, while also bringing new and diverse perspectives that will help us more effectively serve New Jersey. I am so excited to see all our Fellows accomplish.”
The Clean Energy Graduate Certificate Program is designed to provide master’s degree students with basic knowledge in three important areas: Energy-Based Engineering, Energy Public Policy and Applied Energy Economics, focusing primarily on clean energy. NJBPU staff will review and choose candidates for the program and use the skills of the selected Fellows to help develop and carry out state policies. The Fellows will gain invaluable experience in the everyday, real-world regulation of a very complex and nuanced state and regional energy marketplace, helping reduce energy costs for New Jersey ratepayers and support our clean energy transition.
“The Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI) is thrilled to partner with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create the Graduate Certificate in Clean Energy,” said Julie Lockwood, Director of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute. “We expect students across Rutgers will take advantage of this program, propelling them toward careers where they apply their deep knowledge of engineering, public policy, economics and the environment to the task of cost-effectively generating and delivering clean energy to New Jersey citizens. Our collaboration represents a national model for how universities can train students to make a real difference in efforts to grow and sustain clean energy production, both locally and nationally.”
The Rutgers/NJBPU collaboration will touch every step of the process. NJBPU staff will collaborate with the Institute to review the applications of potential Climate Action Fellows and vet qualified applicants in the spring of the next three years. Rutgers is expected to award potential Fellowships in fall 2025 and onward, depending on the number and success of applications. Individuals selected to be fellows will be embedded at the Board and support the work of the Department of Clean Energy from April 2025 through July 2028.
News item from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
