Sustainable Jersey representatives announced today that Union has met the rigorous requirements to achieve the Sustainable Jersey Certification. Union is one of 117 towns out of 416 registered municipalities that have attained bronze certification. Union will be honored at the Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 in Atlantic City with Mayor Clifton People Jr., accepting the award.
“When the program began in 2008 the Township was one of the first charter communities to receive certification, in this “Action” oriented program, we believed it then, and we continue to support the program now.”-Stated Clifton People Jr., Mayor.
“If Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy have taught us anything, it is that the environment is changing, and we as a community are taking small steps toward making Union a more progressive, sustainable and responsible community.”
To become Sustainable Jersey Certified, Union submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 action points to be certified at the bronze level. In addition to reaching 150 points, each community had to create a green team and select at least 2 out of 11 priority action options. Union did three (3) of the 11 priority actions by completing a Green Business Recognition Program, climate adaptation, flood risk, and diversity on boards & commissions, as well as submitted a list of over 210 points of actions.
“Becoming Sustainable Jersey Certified is a significant achievement,” said Pam Mount, Chair of the Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees. “The certified towns demonstrate tremendous leadership and are a testament to how much we can accomplish with impressive sustainability initiatives in New Jersey.”
Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency, health and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources, and addressing diversity and equity. “Collectively the 416 participating Sustainable Jersey towns are a powerful force in New Jersey,” said Donna Drewes Co-Director of the Sustainable Jersey Program. Randall Solomon, Co-Director of the Sustainable Jersey Program congratulated the certified towns. “I commend the towns that have achieved certification for their demonstrated commitment toward the long-term goal of a Sustainable New Jersey.”
The certified towns will be recognized at the Sixth Annual Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at the 99th Annual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference.
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, 416 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the Sustainability Certification Program. In 2014 the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Program will be launched in partnership with New Jersey School Boards Association and other statewide educational organizations.
Sustainable Jersey’s partners include the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Clean Energy Program. Program underwriters include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and BPU. Previous Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program cycles have been underwritten by Walmart, PSEG and the New Jersey Department of Health. Sponsors include South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas, Church and Dwight, Covanta Energy, Energy Solve, Terhune Orchards, Bayshore Recycling, Good Energy, EcoMatters, Spiezle Architectural Group, Waste Management of New Jersey, Pennoni Associates, Inc., Investors Bank, and Concord Engineering. The program underwriters for Sustainable Jersey for Schools are the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program and Bayer Foundation. The founding sponsors for Sustainable Jersey for Schools are South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas and NJM Insurance Group with additional support coming from Pennoni Associates, Inc.
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