The following is from Sustainable Jersey
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South Orange & Maplewood have won another Sustainable Jersey grant for efforts in environmental stewardship. Sustainable Jersey announced the four public school districts and four municipalities selected to receive the grants funded by the Gardinier Environmental Fund with South Orange-Maplewood School District winning a $10,000 grant for the proposed school buildings heat mapping survey.
The project involves a district-wide heat mapping survey to identify cold and hot zones in the school buildings and assess repairs needed. Since SOMSD school buildings are about 100 years old, this project is a cost-effective way to achieve greater classroom comfort as well as energy savings. The survey can be replicated for other New Jersey school districts with older facilities.
Other projects that won grants include proposals for electric vehicle charging stations in Park Ridge Borough and parks energy efficiency lighting in Hoboken. “Investments in local energy projects will help us make progress toward the goal of a more sustainable and resilient New Jersey,” said Randall Solomon who co-directs Sustainable Jersey with Donna Drewes. “Congratulations to the forward-thinking school districts and municipalities that developed these projects.”
“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 stand alongside Sustainable Jersey, and to continue to fund worthy projects that supports our mutual goals in New Jersey.”
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, 78%, or 441 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the municipal certification program and 230 school districts and 568 schools are participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program.
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, 78 percent, or 441 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the municipal certification program and 229 school districts and 568 schools are participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program.
Sustainable Jersey: Sustainable Jersey’s partners include the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program. Program underwriters include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program and the Surdna Foundation. The 2016 Sustainable Jersey Small Grants program for municipalities is funded by PSEG Foundation and the Gardinier Environmental Fund. South Jersey Gas and New Jersey Natural Gas are Platinum Sponsors. NJM Insurance Group is a Gold Sponsor, Bayshore Recycling and Investors Bank are a Silver Sponsors and our Bronze Sponsors are Covanta, JCP&L, Direct Energy Solar, SolarCity and Sungevity.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools: Sustainable Jersey for Schools is underwritten by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). The 2016 Sustainable Jersey for Schools small grants program is funded by the PSEG Foundation, NJEA, the Gardinier Environmental Fund and the New Jersey Department of Health. Founding Sponsor contributors are South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas and NJM Insurance Group. Bayer Foundation and Investors Bank are Silver Sponsors.
