[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5828″ img_size=”full”][vc_raw_html]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJjYXJvdXNlbC1jYXB0aW9uJTIwZC1tZC1ibG9jayUyMGQtc20tYmxvY2slMjIlM0UlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlM0NoMSUzRUNPVU5UWSUyMENMSU1BVEUlMjBNSVRJR0FUSU9OJTIwSU5JVElBVElWRSUzQyUyRmgxJTNFJTBBJTNDJTJGZGl2JTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Resources” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left|color:%2300669b” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”” el_id=”Resources”][breadcrumb-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][info-box-shortcode removebg=”true” buttontitle=”Success Stories Form” buttonlink=”#SuccessStoriesForm”][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][info-box-shortcode removebg=”true” buttontitle=”County Climate Presentation” buttonlink=”#CCPresentation”][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][info-box-shortcode removebg=”true” buttontitle=”Technical Resources” buttonlink=”#TechnicalResources”][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][info-box-shortcode removebg=”true” buttontitle=”Incentives” buttonlink=”#Incentives”][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Introduction” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left|color:%2300669b” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]New Jersey has ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals, as outlined in the NJ Global Warming Response Act 80×50 Report, that will require all levels of government to actively champion climate and clean energy initiatives. New Jersey counties have accomplished significant sustainability work and continually strive to do more. The state supports those ongoing efforts by: 

  • Understanding the challenges and opportunities to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in county operations 
  • Documenting existing greenhouse gas reduction measures already taken by counties to catalyze continued action 
  • Identifying and promoting success stories at the county level 
  • Developing emissions, infrastructure and data inventories for the counties to assist with informed decision making 
  • Promoting existing incentives and programs to counties to increase climate mitigation action 

DEP has received an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) which funded the update of New Jersey’s existing climate plans and will help fund implementation of the policies, tools and measures identified in the plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. [/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Share Your County’s Progress” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left|color:%2300669b” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”” el_id=”SuccessStoriesForm”][vc_column_text css=””]We can’t wait to share County Success Stories. We are seeking volunteers interested in having their project(s) featured in a case study.  Once we gather these, we will share with the group.

 

[gravityform id=”16″ title=”true”][/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=””][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”New Jersey County Climate Mitigation Initiative Slide Deck” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left|color:%2300669b” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”” el_id=”CCPresentation”][vc_column_text css=””]Recognizing counties’ role in achieving greenhouse gas reductions, the state hopes to catalyze county action to better support and advance their climate efforts. Twenty survey questions were formulated to understand the status of New Jersey counties’ progress on clean energy, sustainability initiatives, and climate change mitigation.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”View the Slides” style=”outline-custom” outline_custom_color=”#5fa9e0″ outline_custom_hover_background=”#5fa9e0″ outline_custom_hover_text=”#ffffff” size=”lg” align=”center” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-solid fa-file-pdf” css=”” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fcleanenergy%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F206%2Fcounty-climate-mitigation-initiative-survey-report-presentation1.pdf|target:_blank”][vc_separator css=””][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Technical Resources” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left|color:%2300669b” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”” el_id=”TechnicalResources”][vc_column_text css=””]Below are resources that can be used for tracking and furthering climate mitigation efforts in New Jersey.[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” color=”sky” c_align=”left” c_icon=”chevron” c_position=”right” active_section=”1″ no_fill=”true” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Tools and Guidance” tab_id=”tools-and-guidance”][vc_column_text css=””]Electricity Generation 

  • Solar Financing Options: For government entities in New Jersey looking to finance solar projects, options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar leases, and loans. Learn more at this New Jersey Board of Public Utilities solar energy information portal.  
  • NJ Community Solar PV Siting Tool: This tool was developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Climate Change & Clean Energy to support and inform the siting of solar projects under the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. 
  • NJ County Solar PV Dashboard: The purpose of this dashboard is to provide a high level analysis of solar PV installations in New Jersey’s by county. 
  • Solar Siting Analysis Web Application (2024): This tool is an interactive web mapping application that illustrates the department’s preference for siting solar PV projects in the state based on the 2017 Solar Siting Analysis Update. 

Fleet 

  • Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Locator: This interactive map shows and overview of the current available public charging locations across New Jersey. Users of this map can click on each individual location for details on the charger types, address, and pricing if available. 
  • Transportation Needs Index: The Transportation Needs Index (TNI) is a collaborative effort between DEP and the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, the Transportation Needs Index is a tool that can help you identify where transportation gaps exist, especially in historically underserved communities. 
  • eMobility Planning Toolkit: DriveGreen’s eMobility Planning Toolkit helps local leaders identify transportation needs and preferences of residents through data analysis and meaningful engagement. This input, along with continued engagement, can then be used to develop thoughtful, community-driven solutions. Throughout the toolkit, this process will be referred to as a community transportation needs assessment (CTNA). 
  • Transit Village Initiative: While not explicitly a county program, counties are a crucial partner in the designation of transit villages and can motivate exceptional towns to seek designation. 

Clean Energy Planning 

  • DEP Climate Reports: This page is a comprehensive library of climate and science reports produced by DEP.
  • NJDEP Lead by Example Report: The NJDEP’s Lead by Example initiative report details efforts to decarbonize its operations by setting GHG reduction goals, auditing energy use, improving efficiency, and integrating renewables to align with state climate targets and lead by example.
  • New Jersey Municipal Energy Use:  The dashboards within this collection display annual electricity and natural gas usage in each of NJ’s Municipalities from 2015-2021 for the residential, commercial & industrial, and street lighting sectors and can be aggregated by County.
  • DEP Data Downloads: This page holds a suite of data available for users to download for use in information analysis, such as with geographical information systems (GIS). It was developed to provide a detailed overview of climate change and climate resilience-related data and are designed to assist local government, businesses, landowners, and residents. 

Building Efficiency 

  • NJ Ground Source Heat Pump Municipal Summary Dashboard: This tool to provides a summary of the current penetration of this technology at the municipal and county level across multiple sectors based on the property classification at the source of the well.  Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems, also referred to as Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP), are an energy efficient technology used in space heating and cooling which present opportunities for cost savings and emissions reductions across the building sector. 

Resilience, Restoration, Sequestration  

Waste 

  • Rutgers Cooperative Extension Food Waste Team Portal: Rutgers’ Food Waste Team focuses mostly on the school sector to reduce food waste by working with food service workers, students, educators, and administrators. The Rutgers Food Waste Team facilitates initiatives to reduce food waste, and creates comprehensive toolkits and resources on how to implement food waste reduction efforts in schools. 

 [/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Conferences, Expositions, Events” tab_id=”events”][vc_column_text css=””]

  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Electric Vehicle Expo: At the Port Authority’s third annual fleet expo, regional, national, and international agencies gathered to share ideas and inspiration as the transportation world collectively moves toward a more sustainable future. 
  • League of Municipalities Conference: Over a century old, the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) Annual Conference is the largest municipal conference in the country and an important source of information and connections that municipal and local leaders bring back to their communities.  
  • New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) Conference: Network and share resources and ideas with county and business leaders from across the Garden State while attending professional development workshops approved for continuing education credits. 
  • New Jersey Utilities Association (NJUA) Conference: New Jersey Utilities Association (NJUA) Annual Conference convenes New Jersey’s utility industry to lead and drive utility service transformation in New Jersey. 
  • Sustainable Jersey Conferences, Trainings, Events: Sustainability State conferences and events provide a deeper understanding of how to use existing tools and resources from Sustainable Jersey and partner organizations, allowing attendees to learn new skills and strategies for tackling issues including effective communication and public engagement, building and fleet electrification, community energy planning, eMobility, food security, community resilience, waste reduction, community forestry, & more. 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Organizations” tab_id=”organizations”][vc_column_text css=””]

  • The New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC): The New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) is committed to advocating for legislation, regulations, and policy directives that empower county governments to operate more effectively and efficiently. As a non-partisan organization that represents the only true regional form of government in the State with a unified and proactive voice, NJAC is committed to advancing innovative programs and initiatives that enhance the level of service provided and save valuable taxpayer dollars. 
  • The New Jersey County Planners Association (NJCPA): Aims to foster collaboration and information exchange among New Jersey’s county planning departments 
  • Sustainable Jersey: Sustainability State conferences and events provide a deeper understanding of how to use existing tools and resources from Sustainable Jersey and partner organizations, allowing attendees to learn new skills and strategies for tackling issues including effective communication and public engagement, building and fleet electrification, community energy planning, eMobility, food security, community resilience, waste reduction, community forestry, & more. 
  • National Association of Counties (NACo): The National Association of Counties (NACo) represents the interests of America’s counties, serving as a powerful voice in federal policymaking and a vital part of our nation’s intergovernmental system. 
  • Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (ACES): Since 1999, the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (ACES) has procured electricity and natural gas at discounted prices for New Jersey schools. And in 2014, the ACES program was expanded to include ACESplus, which makes it easy to engage the expert consulting support needed to implement advanced clean energy projects – typically at no upfront cost to the district. 
  • U.S. Climate Alliance (USCA): The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors securing America’s net-zero future by advancing state-led, high-impact climate action. 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][vc_separator css=””][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Funding Resources” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left|color:%2300669b” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”” el_id=”Incentives”][vc_column_text css=””]Below are selected incentives available to counties for types of sustainability actions.[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_tour title_tag=”h4″ section_title_tag=”h2″ color=”vista-blue” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-solid fa-train-subway” add_icon=”true” title=”Fleet” tab_id=”fleet”][vc_column_text css=””]Transportation: Electrify your fleet, install EV chargers, reduce emissions and more 

  • WorkClean Diesel Modernization Program: This program utilizes Federal and State funding to replace on-road and non-road diesel equipment/vehicles and repower marine engines – anything from refuse trucks to forklifts to ferry vessels. 
  • Drive Green: Electric Vehicle & Charging Infrastructure Incentives: Your choice to drive electric improves New Jersey’s air quality and helps slow climate change. 
  • eMobility: eMobility is equitable, shared transportation using electric vehicles and additional modes of transport for residents in underserved areas, who often don’t own a personal vehicle and rely on public transportation. These projects benefit low- to moderate-income communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution through carshare and ride hailing programs, electric taxis, shuttle services, and more. 
  • It Pays to Plug In:  NJ’s Electric Vehicle Charging Grants Program provides grants to offset the cost of purchasing and installing EV chargers. 
  • State of New Jersey Incentives to Drive Green Vehicles Directory: A directory of valuable state, federal, and utility incentives to make the transition to electric easier.
  • New Jersey Clean Energy Electric Vehicle Incentive Programs Directory: These programs are designed to encourage EV adoption in New Jersey, which is crucial to reaching a 100% clean energy future. 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-solid fa-solar-panel” add_icon=”true” title=”Clean Energy Planning” tab_id=”clean-energy-planning”][vc_column_text css=””]Clean Energy Planning: Assess your buildings, improve their efficiency, and power them with clean energy 

  • New Jersey Clean Energy Program Local Governments, Schools and Non-Profits Programs: New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program provides financial incentives for energy efficiency through a number of initiatives directed at local government facilities. 
  • New Jersey Clean Energy Benchmarking: New Jersey has two benchmarking programs – one mandatory for commercial buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, which starts in the spring of 2023 and one free and voluntary for all other buildings. he NJ Board of Public Utilities defines “commercial” by your building’s property tax assessment business class – Class 4A Commercial and Class 4C Apartments are the only covered mandatory classes. 
  • New Jersey Clean Energy Local Government Energy Audit (LGEA) Program: The Local Government Energy Audit (LGEA) Program allows local government agencies, state contracting agencies, public agencies, state colleges and state universities, and select non-profit agencies, to examine their facilities and see how they can improve their energy use. The program can help eligible agencies identify cost-justified energy-efficiency measures, as well as subsidize the full cost of the audit. The entire audit process including customer assistance, application processing and auditing will be performed by TRC, the Program Manager for New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP).   
  • Energy Savings Improvement Program: (ESIP) NJ’s ESIP is a form of energy performance contracting that allows government entities to make minor or major energy-related improvements to their facilities using the value of energy savings that result from the improvements. The ESIP law was enacted in 2009 and updated in 2012.  It provides all types of government entities – from school boards to counties to municipalities to state governments – with a flexible tool to lessen their environmental impact, save money, and reduce their energy usage for minimal costs.   
  • New Jersey Clean Energy Program Combined Heat & Power Programs: One of the goals of the State of New Jersey is to enhance energy efficiency through on-site power generation with recovery and productive use of waste heat, and to reduce existing and new demands to the electric power grid. The Board of Public Utilities seeks to accomplish this goal by providing generous financial incentives for Combined Heat & Power (CHP) and Fuel Cell (FC) installations. 
  • New Jersey Clean Energy Program Solar Programs:  Renewable energy and energy storage are an important element of New Jersey’s climate change. The Global Warming Response Act establishes specific reduction targets to reduce greenhouse gases that threaten the globe.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-solid fa-leaf” add_icon=”true” title=”Resilience, Restoration, Sequestration” tab_id=”resilience”][vc_column_text css=””]Resilience, Restoration and Sequestration: Enhance air and water quality, reduce climate risks, and cool the environment by capturing carbon, restoring natural and urban ecosystems, and protecting shorelines and waterways.

  • Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program: The Natural Climate Solutions Grant program will fund on-the-ground implementation of projects that create, restore, and enhance New Jersey’s natural carbon sinks, such as salt marshes, seagrass beds, forests, urban parks and woodlands, and street trees.  
  • Sustainable Jersey Trees for Schools: This web application was developed to support the “Trees for Schools: Tree Planting Grants for New Jersey Public Schools, Colleges & Universities” program, and the identification of public school locations that best meet the criteria for grant funds. 
  • New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Grants: The Natural Climate Solutions Grant program will fund on-the-ground implementation of projects that create, restore, and enhance New Jersey’s natural carbon sinks, such as salt marshes, seagrass beds, forests, urban parks and woodlands, and street trees. 
  • Green Acres Local Assistance Grants & Loans: Green Acres grants and loans are used to acquire open space for recreation and conservation purposes statewide, develop outdoor recreational facilities, and steward natural resources on land held for recreation/conservation purposes all while maintaining and building carbon sequestration. 
  • Shore Protection Program / State and Local Project Partnerships: To protect property and infrastructure from coastal storm damage, erosion and shoreline migration, and sea-level rise. Projects include beach replenishment and construction and maintenance of bulkheads, jetties, and seawalls.
  • Water Quality Restoration Grants for Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water quality restoration grants are awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) to fund watershed restoration activities and initiatives around New Jersey that address nonpoint source pollution (NPS), which is water pollution that is generated by everyday activities. 
  • Dam Restoration & Inland Water Projects Loan Program: The purpose of the program is to provide loans to assist local government units, private lake associations or similar organizations in the funding of a dam restoration project or an inland waters project.
  • Contaminated Site Remediation & Redevelopment (CSRR) – Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF): HDSRF grants and loans are available to public entities, private entities, and non-profit organizations that perform a remediation pursuant to DEP’s Site Remediation Program requirements.
  • Historic Restoration, Preservation, Protection: The New Jersey Historic Trust was created by law in 1967 to preserve New Jersey’s historic resources across the state, many of which are in locations under threat of sea level rise and other natural and man-made risks.
  • Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP): The CHAMP resides within the Resilience Infrastructure Bank of the I-Bank, an independent State Financing Authority responsible for providing and administering low interest rate loans to qualified New Jersey municipalities, counties, agencies, instrumentalities and other eligible entities in New Jersey for the purpose of financing hazard mitigation and resilience projects pursuant to the State Hazard Mitigation Plan (State HMP) and the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act.
  • Climate Resilience Funding Directory: The Climate Resilience Funding Directory offers a curated list of federal and state funding sources that support climate adaptation and resilience projects. This Directory serves as a starting point to help users navigate funding opportunities. 

 [/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-solid fa-recycle” add_icon=”true” title=”Waste” tab_id=”waste”][vc_column_text css=””]Waste: Reduce, reuse and recycle, and more in your county  

 [/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”” add_icon=”true” title=”Other” tab_id=”other”][vc_column_text css=””]Other: Improve county resident health, provide access to environmental education, and explore additional grant and loan information 

  • Climate Resilience Funding Directory: Local Public Health – A list of New Jersey County Public Health and Safety departments which work to ensure the safety and health of county residents through health protection, services, response, and education through emergency services, laboratory testing, and health and disaster preparation.
  • County Environmental Health Act Grants (CEHA): To support environmental health services undertaken by certified local health agencies on behalf of the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act, N.J.S.A. 26:3A2-21 et seq.
  • Community-Based Art Grant Program: The Community-Based Art grant program will address the need to involve and inform the public about the coastal hazards impacts they will face and what actions they can take to reduce their risk.
  • Community-Based Deer Management Grant Program: To assist local communities and non-profits in efforts to address overabundant deer populations in New Jersey’s urban landscape through community-based deer management programs.
  • NJDEP| Grant and Loan Programs | Local Government Assistance Grants and Loans: Explore a wealth of funding resources designed to address environmental, social, economic, and public health needs at the community level. 

  [/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tour][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]For any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact countyclimate@deptest.nj.gov.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]