Posted November 10, 2011
Andrew Coppola
The Township of Washington has achieved Sustainable Jersey bronze certification and received a $10,000 grant.
Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. Of the state’s 566 municipalities, only 96 have been certified.
To become Sustainable Jersey certified, The Township of Washington had to complete a balance of the rigorous program’s sustainability actions. In addition, the township created a Green Team and did two priority actions by completing 1) energy audits for municipal buildings and 2) a sustainable land use pledge. The grant funds will be used towards a conservation easement inventory.
“Washington Township is very thankful for receiving this grant. We have always been very conscious of our natural resources and beauty. The Township has been a leader in pro-active measures to protect our environment. The Township Committee, Planning Board, and Environmental Commission spends numerous hours developing environmental ordinances and taking proactive measures for enforcement. This grant will allow us to expand our monitoring program and provide for a better quality of life for our residents and those in the surrounding communities,” Mayor Ken Short said.
To get involved with the township’s Green Team and sustainability initiatives or another volunteer committee, please complete and submit a Volunteer Leadership form available at . To participate in Sustainable Jersey free workshops and events held across the state, visit the News/Events/Trainings page at .
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.
As of October 2011, 350 of New Jersey’s towns and cities (62% or 350 towns across all 21 counties) have registered to become Sustainable Jersey certified. By supporting community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental equity, Sustainable Jersey is empowering New Jersey towns to build a better world for future generations.
The program has distributed over half a million dollars to New Jersey communities to support an estimated 1,500 actions taken "on the ground" to make communities more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous. Nearly 75% of the New Jersey’s population lives in registered/certified Sustainable Jersey communities.
Sustainable Jersey is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey State League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future and the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
The policies and other substantive contents of the program are developed though a transparent participatory process involving NGOs, academics, government, and the business community. Sustainable Jersey is underwritten by Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
Program sponsors include PSEG Foundation, New Jersey Natural Gas, Church and Dwight, Covanta Energy, EcoMatters, NJ American Water, Real Goods Solar, South Jersey Gas, Terhune Orchards, Waste Management of New Jersey, Atlantic City Electric, Citizens’ Campaign, Concord Engineering, and the New Jersey Food Council. |
