Highland Park Borough Manages Stormwater and Educates Community through Green Infrastructure Walking Tour (Middlesex County)

Recognizing that increasing rainfall from a changing climate was causing a chronic problem with stormwater runoff entering the Highland Park Public Library building, Sustainable Highland Park sought to find a solution. With support from a $10,000 Sustainable Jersey Grant funded by the PSEG Foundation, Highland Park Borough installed a rain garden on the side of the library to alleviate stormwater runoff issues.

Eleven Municipalities Launch Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaigns through Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Partnership Program

The first round of Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Partnership Program participants have launched customized outreach campaign videos and websites. Each video spotlights local community members and shares ways to better manage energy use and access energy-efficiency programs and incentives.

Maplewood Township Prioritizes Community Health and Receives Gold Star Recognition (Essex County)

Maplewood Township’s Health Assessment and Action Plan was formally approved by the Maplewood Planning Commission and incorporated into the Master Plan in fall 2023. After a comprehensive review of local health data and a community engagement process, six community issues were identified: 1) food access; 2) climate change; 3) community relations with police; 4) health equity; 5) underserved vulnerable populations; and 6) healthier communities (neighborhood revitalization plans).

Past Participants Encourage Students to Register for the New Jersey Student Climate Challenge

The 2023-2024 New Jersey Student Climate Challenge is open to public school students in grades 6 to 12. Under their teacher's mentorship, teams of 2 to 12 students complete a school or community project that addresses climate change. Each team creates a video about the project and completes a Climate Challenge submission form by April 10, 2024.

Funds Now Available to Develop Community Energy Plans and Implement Projects

In December 2023, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) opened the application windows for the third year of the Community Energy Plan Grant (CEPG) Program and the first year of the new Community Energy Plan Implementation (CEPI) Program.