July 2021
Environmental News You Can Use
Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates are back!

Great news for anyone in the market for a new car: New Jersey's rebates for electric vehicles are back! The NJ Board of Public Utilities has just announced the return of the Charge Up New Jersey Program. The launch marks another step toward Governor Phil Murphy’s goal of getting 330,000 EVs on the road by 2025.
 
Incentives are now "point of sale," meaning that buyers get to take advantage of the rebate at the dealership and see their purchase price instantly reduced. There are now two tiers of rebates based on a vehicle's sale price, which must be under $55,000 to be eligible:

●    MSRP under $45,000 will be eligible for a maximum of $5,000 ($25/e-mile).
●    MSRP between $45,000 - $55,000 will be eligible for a maximum of $2,000 ($25/e-mile).

Check out the full list of eligible vehicles to see how both battery electric (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) qualify.

Visit the program website for full details and information about the benefits of EV ownership, EV technology, and the basics of EV charging. And don't forget that other state and federal incentives may apply to your purchase.
Get Energy Efficient with JCP&L and PSEG
JCP&L and PSEG have launched a broad selection of energy efficiency programs to help customers save energy, reduce bills and protect the environment. The programs, which run through June 30, 2024, were recently approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Customers can take advantage of appliance recycling, home energy check-ups and comprehensive audits, and incentives for purchasing new, energy efficient items, that will make their homes and businesses more energy efficient and reduce peak energy use. Program offerings will be available to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Information on these programs along with other energy conservation tips is available from PSEG and JCP&L.
Learn about Native Plants with Webinar and Video Recordings 
Native plants provide multiple benefits to people and wildlife, while contributing greatly to healthy soil and water. Plants native to an area are more likely to establish quickly and will naturally be hardy and healthy. They also provide shelter and food for wildlife and support pollinators. The Native Plant Society of NJ is an excellent source of information for gardeners. You can learn about New Jersey's native plants at your own pace using the Society’s All About Native Plants resource center. It’s an easy way to access webinar recordings, video clips, articles, and more. Recent webinar topics include “Native Plants for Moths,” “Rain Gardens,” and “Sustainability in the Home Garden.”  
Mulch Your Grass Clippings
Many residents dispose of grass clippings at the Township DPW depot or curbside for monthly collection. Grass clippings quickly become anaerobic and then emit strongly unpleasant odors, making them difficult and costly for the Township to handle and process. Instead, try leaving grass clippings uncollected on the lawn so that they are recycled, contributing to soil organic matter and supplying part of the fertilizer needs of the lawn. You will save a lot of time because you won’t have to stop and empty your lawn mower bag or fill waste containers and haul them to the curb. Ask your landscaper to mulch clippings if you don’t mow your own lawn. You can also use clippings to mulch flower and vegetable gardens. Finally, you can compost clippings, in a ratio of one part fresh grass clippings to three parts partially composted leaves. For more information, please read this flyer from SustainableMadisonNJ.com.  
Tip of the Month: Composting Citrus Peels 
The word on composting citrus has been confusing in the past. Since limonene and linalool are both naturally occurring pesticides found in the oils of citrus rinds, it was believed that citrus rinds would kill the microorganisms in a compost pile. However, these compounds evaporate quickly and we're left with nitrogen-rich peels. In short, the answer is yes, you can compost grapefruit, lemon, lime, and any other citrus rinds. (Courtesy of Java’s Compost)
In the news:
●    Why You Should Plant Oak Trees (New York Times, March 31)
Photo of the Month
(Courtesy of Cathy Wilson, Morris Township Committee Member)
Three Ways You Can Help
 
  • Join our mail list and spread the word by forwarding this email to a neighbor
  • Attend the next meeting of the Environmental Commission on Aug 12 at 7 PM
  • Email buzkenney@gmail.com to give us feedback