New Jersey Meadowlands Commission going solar

Things over at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission are looking up... to the sun, that is.

On Wednesday, February 24, the Commission announced its decision to use solar power to help generate power for municipalities in the area. According to the plan, a landfill, a parking lot and standing buildings will be used to generate energy.

Lori Grifia, acting chairman of the NJMC and acting commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs in a release exclaims, "Through these creative and forward-thinking programs the NJMC can better help Meadowlands District municipalities conserve energy and save taxpayer dollars. As a driver of economic growth and environmental responsibility, renewable energy production is critical to our state's fiscal and environmental future."

This isn't the beginning of a solar power initiative for the area. Suitable structures for solar panels were pointed out back in 2008 by the NJMC.

A pilot Municipal Solar Assistance Program was created as well, in order to help school districts and municipal buildings begin to use renewable resources. The NJMC paid for rooftop assessments in order to see if a building's roof would qualify for solar panels. The assessments paid for include two fire companies, the Department of Public Works, a library, a senior center, a high school, a middle school and Jefferson, Roosevelt and Washington schools. The results of the assessment are still under review by the NJMC.

Robert Ceberio, a NMC executive director states in a release, "The NJMC has long advocated renewable and alternative energy proects as crucial to shaping an economically and environmentally sustainable Meadowlands. We are thoroughly committed to using our resources to help produce clean energy, cost savings and economic development throughout the region."

The goal of the initiative is to use renewable energy, and to have the generated energy be a cost savings for taxpayers. The initiative is already underway. The 1A landfill in Kearny has a plan in the works. The commission hopes to construct a solar array on it. A plan is being constructed for private developers who want to include solar components as well, enabling a reduction in NJMC development fees.

Councilman Steve Tanelli says, "I think it's a great idea, a lot of towns are doing it. If we get solar power to generate energy for the borough it will definitely be a cost savings for taxpayers."

Federal solar bill supported by New Jersey politico

A new bill was introduced by Congress last week in New Jersey called "10 Million Solar Roofs and 1o Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010" spearheading the Garden State's push for a solar-fueled energy alternative.

The bill introduced serves up a slew of rebates and incentives that would cover about half of the cost of 10 million solar roof systems, and 200,000 water heating systems. Who's eligible? Non-profits, local and state governments are candidates ... along with individuals.

U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, who represents much of Jersey City in the 13th Congressional District says, "New Jersey has taken a leadership role in solar energy technology--we're second in the nation in producing solar energy and have the second highest number of solar installations. As America faces challenges such as unemployment and rising energy costs, this legislation will create jobs, reduce energy bills, and decrease harmful environmental pollutants."

How many jobs will be created? 1.35 million direct and indirect jobs over the next decade, according to an article by the Jersey City Independent.

New Brunswick spearheads Jersey's solar initiative

New Jersey's largest planned public solar-energy installation? New Brunswick is forging ahead with a plan to turn sunshine into cold, hard cash.

Over the next two years, the Riverside City will place solar panels on 11 public sites. Solar panels will be set up on municipal buildings, parking garages, and schools. Also, a new high school will be the first building to receive the solar panels. The reward of the project? A lot of money and, of course, energy-efficiency.

Once complete, New Brunswick hopes to run half the city by solar power. Mayor James Cahill says, "Given the amount of property that is maintained or owned by the city, the school district and the parking authority, we thought it would be worthwhile to take a look at a merger of all the properties to see if we could assemble a significant amount of property to make a real impact."

Mitchell Karon, the city’s parking authority director explains: "The Riverside City with a population of roughly 50,000 is not a gloomy, cloudy place like Seattle, but also is not sun-baked New Mexico. Projections of savings were based on realistic data."

New Brunswick isn't alone. By 2020, New Jersey is aiming to have 30% of its energy come from the sun and wind. Although all government bodies are in agreement of approval, PSE&G will be losing business.

According to an article by New Jersey Real Time News, PSE&G offers to lease rooftop space from businesses, Urban Enterprise Zones, and residences, but the utility keeps the energy for its grid.

When asked if the company is threatened, Susanna Chiu, PSE&G director of business development replies, "It’s a different business proposition, but it gets us to the same end goal," she adds.