There are many ways that a town can reduce emissions and also save energy:

1. Utilize your Environmental Commission (EC) or establish new sub committee to lead implementation of Cool Cities
2. Actively pursue measures that will reduce energy consumption, be cost effective and reduce green house gas emissions
3. Utilize renewable energy
4. Plan for the future by ensuring that new municipal buildings are more energy efficient and incorporate LEED standards
5. Green purchasing where cost-effective
6. Increase recycling efforts
7. Public education

1. Implementation of Cool Cities

For implementation of Cool Cities, the best approach is to conduct a wide ranging emissions and energy audit. However, below (2 – 7) are some immediate actions with immediate impact

• Utilize EC or establish a new sub committee to lead implementation

Consider staff resources to help with implementation. Build an ‘Environmental Coordinator’ role into an existing employee’s job description. (E.g. Montclair Township have a half-time Environmental Coordinator, the employee divides his 40 hour work week between the role of Environmental Coordinator and Code Enforcement Officer)

1. Actively pursue measures that will reduce energy consumption, be cost effective and reduce green house gas emissions

Reducing energy use is one of the most cost-effective and simplest ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) rather than incandescent bulbs (electricity bill should decrease by approx 20%) (1 CFL will save you $90 just in electricity costs over its lifetime). Over its lifetime a CFL equivalent to 100W compact will prevent global warming pollution equal to 100 to 150 gallons of gasoline
• Use super-efficient light emitting diode (LED bulbs) in streetlights and traffic signals on all municipal roads, and also in emergency exit signs in municipal buildings. Refer to attachment
• Retrofitting of older buildings to improve efficiency – LEED have developed standards for retrofitting buildings

1. Utilize Renewable Energy

Install solar, and / or geothermal to generate energy for municipal buildings. Funds for local governments can be found through programs with the NJ Office of Clean Energy. 

OR – an interim solution - spend the 20% in electricity savings the municipality has from switching over to CFL light bulbs on purchasing green energy. This is an easy and inexpensive way for a municipality to switch to renewable power. Sign up for the NJ CleanPower Choice Program (http://www.njcleanpower.com)

2. Plan for the future by ensuring that new municipal buildings are more energy efficient and incorporate LEED standards

Making new buildings more energy efficient is a sensible strategy in today’s environment and does not have to be costly. LEED standards are a good rubric to help do this (although formal LEED certification can be costly)

 

3. Green purchasing where cost-effective

Municipal supplies could be examined to try to purchase greener less polluting options where they exist. For example:

• Recycled office paper. Establish a policy of paying up to a premium of 10%, if necessary
• Eco-friendly cleaning products
• Smaller more energy efficient (green fleet) vehicles
• Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances

1. Increase recycling efforts

Provide recycling bins alongside regular trash bins on streets, in municipal buildings, and parks

2. Public education

Help educate the residents, schools and businesses about reducing global warming pollution

• Add a ‘green’ page to the municipal website

 

Additional Resources

ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

City of Seattle http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/climate/govResources.htm

Find out more about the Sierra Club's Global Warming Campaign.