The Board of Public Utilities said this week it will streamline the administration of its Clean Energy Program by placing all of its programs under a single outside administrator.

The BPU has issued a request for proposals calling for a program administrator to replace the three administrators currently tasked with delivering programs to different market segments. The strategy was recommended last year by an energy master plan work group tasked with evaluating clean energy funding.

"The consolidation of three separate contractors into one will ensure that the program operates in a cost-efficient manner and improve(s) delivery of effective programs and services for ratepayers," BPU President Bob Hanna said in a press release.

The Clean Energy Program supports renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs for property owners, businesses, schools and local governments. The BPU said the new administrative system is designed to eliminate the "silo approach" of having programs operate independently of each other, and instead capitalize on the efficiencies and accountability made possible by integration. The BPU said that should also aid customers by giving them a single administrator to interface with.

Bids are due to the Department of Treasury by Aug. 24. The board expects to choose a new administrator by year's end.