Sustainable Jersey Joins National Clean Energy Challenge

Initiative supports local clean energy action by 30 cities in 5 states

Sustainable Jersey is taking on the challenge to see how some of the state’s small and mid-sized municipalities stack up to others across the nation when it comes to clean energy successes.

Thirty communities in five states will be part of the Sustainable States Community Energy Challenge, which offers tools and support to assess clean energy goals and initiatives. The challenge will compare clean energy achievements across similarly-sized municipalities, assess future initiatives, and provide project implementation assistance. Additionally, participating communities will be a part of an in-state peer cohort and receive technical assistance to complete a pressing clean energy initiative. 

The project is a partnership of the Sustainable States Network, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and five state-level sustainability programs.

In New Jersey, six municipalities will be participating: Glen Rock Borough, Gloucester Township, the Town of Hammonton, Hillsborough Township, Lawrence Township and Maplewood Township.  “Sustainable Jersey is pleased that six of our certified communities will have the opportunity to share the impressive energy efficiency progress they have made,” said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “By participating in the Community Energy Challenge, these municipalities will build upon their work with additional strategies that will make a major contribution to our statewide effort to reduce greenhouse gasses.”

 “The power that small and medium-sized cities have to make durable and lasting impacts on clean energy can’t be underestimated. This is an opportunity to compare their clean energy achievements against similar cities in their own state and across the country and learn how they can magnify their progress,” said Lola Schoenrich, coordinator of the Sustainable States Network and vice president of communities at the Great Plains Institute. “Municipalities across the country are taking a lead in adding renewable energy, making buildings more efficient, and electrifying transportation to ensure a more sustainable and livable community for their residents.”

Given the very real financial challenges cities face because of COVID-19, this opportunity helps municipalities promote energy savings for residents, businesses, and local government operations. These energy efficiency upgrades can contribute to job creation in the local community. Participating sustainability programs include: Sustainable CT, Green Cities California, Sustainable Maryland, Minnesota GreenStep Cities, and Sustainable Jersey

“We look forward to working with small and medium-sized cities across the country to assess their clean energy efforts to help them see where they can step up,” says Dave Ribeiro, ACEEE senior research manager. “We’re confident the Community Energy Challenge will help communities throughout the country scale up their energy efficiency and clean energy efforts.”

The Sustainable States Clean Energy Challenge is funded with support from the New York Community Trust.