Nine NJ Towns Receive Grants for Sustainable Energy Projects

TRENTON — Sustainable Jersey announced today the nine New Jersey towns that were selected for Sustainable Jersey Small Grants funded by the Gardinier Environmental Fund. Since 2009, Sustainable Jersey has distributed nearly $1.6 million in grants to New Jersey municipalities to help towns make their communities more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous. Now the Gardinier Environmental Fund is stepping up to help fund some worthy community projects.
“Investments in energy projects are key toward the goal of a more sustainable and resilient New Jersey,” said Randall Solomon, co-director of Sustainable Jersey. “Funding local projects like building efficiency upgrades, alternative vehicle fueling and charging stations, energy education projects, energy resiliency and solar energy installations is a cornerstone of our mission.”
“The Gardinier Environmental Fund is committed to conserving the earth’s energy resources and enhancing renewable energy measures,” said Gene Wentzel, president, Gardinier Environmental Fund. “We are proud to be working with Sustainable Jersey and to fund projects that will contribute to our mutual goals in our state.”
New Jersey is the first state in the nation to have a comprehensive sustainability program for communities that links certification with strong state and private financial incentives, and a fully resourced program of technical support and training. Currently, 75 percent of New Jersey’s towns and cities (417 towns across all 21 counties) have registered to become Sustainable Jersey certified.
Recipients of $35,000 Sustainable Jersey Project Grants:
Municipality, County, Project
Morristown, Morris, Early Street Community Garden Solar Pavilion
Princeton, Mercer, EnergySmart Buildings Campaign
Haddon Twp., Camden, Environmental Center Solar Project
Recipients of $10,000 Sustainable Jersey Project Grants:
Municipality, County, Project
Brigantine City, Atlantic, Lighting Conversion to LED
Cape May City, Cape May, Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP)
Denville Twp., Morris, Denville Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Highland Park, Middlesex, Solar Islanding Microgrid and Education Project
Park Ridge Boro., Bergen, LED Street Lighting Project
Verona Twp., Essex, Solar Monitoring Display & Education Program
Grant Project Summaries:
$35,000 Sustainable Jersey Project Grants:
• Morristown: Will build an Eco-Shed using sustainable material and incorporating natural systems such as solar power and a rain water collection cistern. The energy created by the solar panels on the pavilion will be able to provide the necessary energy for all uses of the community garden, running a pump for the cistern, outlets for movie nights and bands, and the rain catchment system will provide the majority of the water needed for gardening.
• Princeton: Will implement an EnergySmart Buildings Campaign that will focus on reducing energy consumption from fossil fuels in commercial buildings in the Municipality of Princeton.
• Haddon Township: Will install a 6.24 kilowatt solar array for the Environmental and Historic Center.
$10,000 Sustainable Jersey Project Grants:
• Brigantine City: Will purchase and install LED lighting for the Municipal Complex, Recreation Center and other city buildings.
• Cape May City: Will implement an Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP).
• Denville Township: Will purchase and install a public electric vehicle charging station in the public Church Street Parking Lot in downtown Denville. The project will also include upgrading of an existing electric transformer station and installation of signs to direct users to the station.
• Highland Park: Will implement a solar islanding microgrid and education project to ensure that the Highland Park community has the ability to communicate and stay abreast of information in the event of any power outage or calamity that obstructs the ground communication or networking infrastructure.
• Park Ridge Borough: Will replace 36 existing High Pressure Sodium Street Lighting fixtures with LED Street Lighting fixtures. The existing High Pressure Sodium Street Lights are inefficient compared to new LED technology and require additional maintenance because of the shorter lifespan of the bulbs.
• Verona Township: Will implement a Solar Monitoring Display and Education Program for the existing solar energy installation at the Verona Community Center. Members of the general public and the High School Science & Business Courses for Junior/Senior students will be able to dial in to the system and track the amount of energy produced on any given day.
About Sustainable Jersey:
Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Currently, 419 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the sustainability certification program. In October, 2014 the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program was launched in partnership with New Jersey School Boards Association and other statewide educational organizations.
Sustainable Jersey’s partners include the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, The Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Clean Energy Program. Program underwriters include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and BPU. Sustainable Jersey Small Grants program cycles have been underwritten by Walmart, PSEG, Gardinier Environmental Fund and the New Jersey Department of Health. Sponsors include South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas, Church and Dwight, Covanta, Energy Solve, Terhune Orchards, Bayshore Recycling, Good Energy, EcoMatters, Spiezle Architectural Group, Waste Management of New Jersey, Pennoni Associates, Inc., Investors Bank, Concord Engineering and Gabel Associates. Sustainable Jersey for School’s is underwritten by the New Jersey Association of School Boards and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Clean Energy Program. The Sustainable Jersey for Schools founding sponsors are South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas and NJM Insurance Group. Additional support is provided by the Foundation for Educational Advancement, Bayer and Pennoni Associates.
Website: www.SustainableJersey.com;
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