GOING GREEN

New Jersey's county governments are leading the way on energy conservation.  The following is a summary of what they're doing to save taxpayer dollars and protect the environment:

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Atlantic County has taken a number of steps to conserve energy.  They include:

• Installation of a biodiesel tank and the purchase and use of 13 biodiesel paratransit vehicles.  It has ordered 13 more for 2008.
• The use of  bio-diesel fuel in diesel trucks operated by the Public Works Department
• The purchase of hybrid vehicles for the county fleet.  So far, it has 12 such vehicles with 10 more on order for next year.
• Issued a Request for Propose to study the feasibility of converting to hydroelectric power.
• Entering into a contractual arrangement for the installation of solar arrays at county facilities.
• Conducted an environmental conference in 2007/looking for a follow up in 2008

In addition, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority has:

• Wind Farm on their property in Atlantic City
• Has a large solar array in Atlantic City
• Uses the methane gas at the solid waste facility to generate electricity 

BURLINGTON

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Cumberland County has been very aggressive on energy conservation.  It has:

• Committed to a 5-year plan for energy conservation that will include upgrading and retrofitting all county buildings for lighting, windows, heating and cooling systems.
• Committed to designing all new buildings, including our new 45,000 square foot prosecutor’s office, to be LEED certified.
• Purchasing hybrid vehicles and switching to bio-diesel and other alternatives
• Converting conventional vehicle engines for efficiency.

Cumberland recently participated in the National Association of Counties Change-a-Light Campaign, in which it gives coupons to all county employees and residents who pledge to switching one conventional light bulb in their homes or offices to clean fluorescent bulbs.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Most recently, Gloucester County became a signatory to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, endorsed by the Sierra Club, which encourages local governments to adopt specific plans and policies to reduce their consumption of energy.

Over the past several years the County has taken a number of steps, which include:

·        The systematic upgrading of all light fixtures in county buildings

·        Installation of a microcomputer controller on two boilers and a hot water heater at the county Justice Complex.  The device will regulate water heating mechanisms to match demand, which should result in a 10-percent savings in fuel consumption for those systems.  The County will analyze the actual savings and, depending on its findings, install the system in other buildings.

·        Purchasing its first hybrid vehicle, a Ford Escape SUV to be used by the County Health Department’s Environmental Unit.

MERCER COUNTY

Mercer County has taken a number of steps to reduce its energy consumption.  They include:

• Ensuring that the design for its new county courthouse – the largest ever building project for Mercer County – is compliant with LEED standards.
• Reducing the number of vehicles in the county vehicle fleet
• Using ultra low-sulpher diesel fuel when possible
• Replacing conventional vehicles with hybrid vehicles
• Regulating building thermostats up or down depending on the season in order to reduce utility costs
• Encourage county employees to drive less by: installing a bike rack for county employees; building an employee cafeteria so that workers do not have to drive off site for their lunch breaks; encouraging staff to take “fitness walks” during lunch instead of driving to nearby restaurants.
• Creation of a "Green Living" page on its website that provides tips for residents on how to save energy and money.  Visit the site by clicking here.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Among the 21 counties, Middlesex is fairly described as the leader in Green Technologies.  In fact, it was one of only eight recipients this year of the NJ BPU Energy Leader Award, a designation given to public and private entities that demonstrate exemplary commitment or innovation in achieving energy efficiency.

In 1996 Middlesex County, thanks largely to the leadership of Freeholder James Polus, created what they call the Middlesex County Showroom of Energy Technology.

The Showroom’s mission is to provide financial, technical and logistical assistance county government entities, municipalities and school districts that want to undertake clean energy and sustainability programs.

As a result, Middlesex County now boasts the largest hybrid vehicle fleet in the state, and through the Showroom and its various programs five municipalities have purchased hybrid vehicles that they would not have otherwise.

Working with Rutgers University and the state, Middlesex County recently installed a 120-panel, 25 kilowatt solar power system at one of its facilities.  The project, which is the largest of its kind at any county facility, is expected to reduce energy costs by 40 to 50 percent.  Just as importantly, the facility serves literally as a “showcase” for municipalities, counties and even school field trips.

Because of its leadership Middlesex County has been chosen by the State Department of Community Affairs to create a sustainability plan that will serve as a model for the rest of the state.

For more information of what Middlesex County is doing, visit their website at www.mcset.com.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Beginning last spring, Monmouth County began using bio-diesel fuel in all of its diesel vehicles.  Bio-diesel is a mixture of regular diesel and agricultural product.  While the program is fairly new, the results, according to Monmouth County, have been very positive.

SOMERSET COUNTY

In 1996 the Somerset County Business Partnership formed a Green Building Design Task Group.  The Task Group was formed for the purpose of developing a green building program for the County Government that could be adopted as well by the respective municipalities.

The Task Group received funding support from Johnson & Johnson, HSBC and AT&T, which enabled them to work with the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Center for Architecture and Building Science Research. 

In developing its report, which is available in its entirety at www.somersetbusinesspartnership.com, the Group used as a guideline green-building design standards established by the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design program.  The LEED Program, as it is called, is regarded as the gold standard for green building design.  Through that program buildings are rated and certified as “LEED Certified.”

The Task Group established two goals for its program: to create new public buildings that would save taxpayers money over the long term by reducing energy costs; and to educate public officials on green building concepts as well as how to design them.

The Report was endorsed recently by the Somerset County Freeholder Board.  Next the Task Group will embark on an education campaign focusing on county and municipal officials.

UNION COUNTY

Union County Freeholder Chairman Estrada has implemented a “Green Initiative” this year, which will promote energy efficient and environmentally sound practices throughout the County.  One major aspect of this initiative is the goal of working to make new construction and renovations conform to the highest green standards in five areas: sustainable development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.  The first building being constructed is the Veneri Building which will be LEED certified.  Additional programs will focus on environmental hazard reduction and recycling programs.

Additionally, the County has replaced the last four vehicles in its fleet with hybrid vehicles.  There are an additional six hybrid vehicles that have been ordered and the County is committed to purchasing fuel efficient vehicles when appropriate.  Last year the County began a Route 22 Shuttle pilot program.  This program transports citizens around Route 22 which can cut down on the amount of vehicles on the road.  The program has been renewed for this year and based on its success it is anticipated that it will continue in the future. 

The County has replaced all indoor lighting fixtures with energy efficient light bulbs and has begun to use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies in the building.  Additionally the County has established the in-house “Green Council” with a mission to explore ways internally in which the County can reduce waste, improve employee environmental awareness and most importantly explore energy saving projects throughout County buildings.

The County sponsors numerous recycling events for its residents including but not limited to a mobile paper shredding program, electronics recycling and hazardous household waste disposal.  For a complete list of recycling programs offered through the County of Union please visit www.ucnj.org/recycle.

Finally the County has taken the first steps toward developing an extensive Sustainable Energy Mater Plan which will explore more ways the County can be more environmentally conscientious.