Mike Italiano Named Key Note Speaker

Mike Italiano, Founder of the U.S. Green Building Council, is the key note speaker for this year's Sustainable Jersey awards luncheon in Atlantic City on November 13. With more than 40 years of environmental experience, including serving as a Senior Analyst in the White House, we are pleased to have him at our premier event. Mike, a Sustainable Jersey supporter, said, "when we launched the LEED rating system, it was rapidly accepted in the market because we gave the market what it wanted: substantial pollution reductions, a transparent and consensus-based standard and credible independent third-party certification. Sustainable Jersey is accomplishing for communities what we achieved for buildings, and this is only the tip of the iceberg!" Don't delay; get your tickets for the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon here. This event sells out every year. Review the list of Sustainable Jersey workshops at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference: Sustainable Jersey Sessions.

Chatham Township, 2011 Sustainable Jersey Grant Award Winner

Sustainable Jersey Grants -- $20,000, $10,000 and $2,000 grants

In early October, we will announce the 2012 grant winners. We're anxiously awaiting the list of winners from the independent selection committee. We received a total of 84 grant applications from towns. Of these applications, 28 were submitted for the $20,000 category, 25 were submitted for the $10,000 category, and 31 applications were in the $2,000 capacity-building category. This year, Sustainable Jersey will award four $20,000 grants, eight $10,000 grants and twenty $2,000 grants. With $200,000 from the PSEG Foundation, Sustainable Jersey will provide municipalities with grants for projects that will help towns make communities more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous. "PSEG is committed to being a steward of the environment and making meaningful contributions to the communities it serves," said Anne Hoskins, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability for PSEG.

New Jersey Clean Energy Program Updates

The NJ Board of Public Utilities has proposed to restructure the delivery of the Clean Energy Program (CEP) going forward with some budget reallocations and program changes. Nothing has been finalized, but it is expected that the changes will be decided upon in the coming months. Some of these changes may affect the potential eligibility of local governments for certain programs. Sustainable Jersey e-blasts will keep you updated on the status of the Clean Energy Program.

Announcing New Sustainable Jersey Energy Actions

Coming soon, we will roll out four new energy actions that address residential and commercial energy efficiency programs. Towns can earn points, while also offering valuable energy and cost savings to local residents and businesses. The actions fall under two main categories:

Energy Efficiency for Local Businesses
- Outreach Campaign to Local Business Community
- Achieving Target Increase in Local Business Participation

Energy Efficiency for Homes
- Municipal Program
- Outreach

These actions are based on successful pilot programs that have been run since January 2012 in Highland Park (Middlesex County) and Montclair Township (Essex County). The Energy Efficiency for Local Businesses actions center around targeted outreach to the local business community to increase participation in the Direct Install program offered by the NJBPU. Through Direct Install, businesses are able to make various energy efficiency upgrades with the State of New Jersey covering 70% of the costs.

The Energy Efficiency for Homes actions focus on effective outreach programs to promote the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) program. By participating in HPwES, homeowners can make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient while saving up to 30% on future energy costs. The HPwES program offers rebates of up to $5,000 and 0% interest loans, so the monthly repayment costs to homeowners are often less than the energy savings they will enjoy from the energy upgrades.

Sustainable Jersey Networking Night-Out in Nutley on 10/11/12

Are you stumped with how to start the process for becoming recertified? Or, maybe you just need a night out with like-minded sustainability friends to be reenergized. Join us on the beautiful patio of the Diamond Spring Beach Club in Nutley. Nutley Commissioner Dr. Joseph P. Scarpelli will provide a welcome. Pam Mount, Chair of the Sustainable Jersey Board and Randall Solomon, Co-Director of Sustainable Jersey will lead a short discussion on Recertification Tips. "Nutley is pleased to be hosting the re-certification workshop and we look forward to meeting with our colleagues from other municipalities at this informative, yet social event," commented Nutley Public Works Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli. Register and get the event details here. Also, don't miss two other upcoming events, click on the link for more details. ACUA and Sustainable Jersey Fall Networking Event in Mays Landing and the Spring Lake Green Team Networking and Movie Night in the Park this Friday.

Spotlight Your Green Products and Services

It's not easy to connect to the customer. Let us save you the geo-targeted search engine marketing, the media surveys and expensive newspaper advertising. We have an easy way for you to reach an audience of green minded people while supporting Sustainable Jersey. Place an ad in the awards program for the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon. A full page ad costs only $800! Or sponsor a special award like the Sustainable Jersey Leadership Award. Read more about the award sponsorships and program advertising here.

Free Financing Advice on Energy Issues

New Jersey's Clean Energy Programs are available to assist New Jersey local governments implement energy conservation measures. Sustainable Jersey is working to help towns structure the most efficient method of packaging the available financing alternatives. Energy Savings Improvement Programs (ESIPs) are an approved method of financing energy conservation measures at no cost to taxpayers.

This summer, the NJ Assembly approved a bill (A-2313) that revises the 2009 law authorizing the state's public entities, such as municipalities, to participate in an ESIP. The bill was signed by Governor Christie this month. The bill's intent is to make ESIPs more efficient and transparent. Through such programs, public organizations can contract with energy services companies to implement energy saving measures. Money saved through the reduction in energy expenses helps cut the cost of energy infrastructure improvements. Public agencies will have the ability to benefit from the acquisition of new, efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, as well as other energy-saving improvements without the need for large upfront capital expenditures. To learn more about ESIPs, contact Sustainable Jersey Financial and Energy Advisor Robbi Acampora.

Our Sponsors

Sustainable Jersey is underwritten by:







Leader for Sustainability:



Partner for Sustainability:



Friends of Sustainability:

Contributor to Sustainability:

Participants in Sustainability:

And special thanks to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for their very special contribution to fund the 2009-2011 Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program.