A proposed federal energy program, Homestar, aims to sweeten incentives for New Jerseyans who make efficiency upgrades.

John Drexinger, chief operating officer and principal with Pro-Tech Energy Solutions, in Branchburg, which provides energy audits and installs solar energy and HVAC systems, said the proposed federal program may drive more jobs to the home-improvement market.

Drexinger raised concerns that the federal rebate program might sway the state to lower its own incentives for such upgrades. The state’s Clean Energy Program already is pegged to lose some $158 million in funding because of budget cuts. “Every once in a while, [the ratepayers] should get a double incentive,” Drexinger said.

President Barack Obama unveiled details of the proposed Homestar program Tuesday to encourage energy-efficiency improvements in residential properties. The proposed $6 billion federal program would provide homeowners with up to $3,000 in rebates for the improvements that cut energy use.

The creation of the national incentives may encourage more energy improvements in the state, Drexinger said. “New Jersey is one of the few states to have an active energy-efficiency program in the country,” he said.

The policies and rebate programs already in place in New Jersey, Drexinger said, are more defined and mature, compared with other states: “If you wanted to make an upgrade on a residential property in Maryland, and asked what kind of [state] rebate you would get, you wouldn’t know.”

Drexinger said programs that encourage installation of solar power and other distributed energy systems in residential and small commercial properties help create more local jobs. “That’s where you get a lot of feet on the street,” he said.

A long-term federal incentive program, Drexinger said, would provide the most benefit. “You don’t want it to last a month and then go away,” he said. “That’s a Band-Aid.”

E-mail João-Pierre Ruth at jpruth@njbiz.com

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