"OurPower" Montclair Hosts Successful Shred-Fest

Montclair's office of Environmental Affairs held a paper shredding recycling event September 24, as part of our “It's In Our Power” climate campaign. The “Shred-Fest!” was linked arm-in-arm with an international climate event called “Moving Planet” (www.350.org).

The climate / recycling connection was highlighted in our Montclair Times’ Planet Montclair column last week, in which we noted, “...recycling not only saves money, it saves energy. Products manufactured from recycled materials require much less energy than products made from virgin materials. Wasted energy is responsible for emitting unnecessary greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.”

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About the OurPowerMontclair Pledges

Change Your Bulbs

If every American home replaced just one light with a light that’s earned the Energy Star, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars. It is an EASY way to have a big impact. Download CFL information.

Energy Efficient Products

Appliances account for 17% of an average household's energy consumption, soupgrading to ENERGY STAR® products will result in saving money, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions. ENERGY STAR® products typically use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models, and there many rebates and incentives that make them the most cost effective choice from day one. Download Energy Star products information.

Home Energy Audit

For most Montclair residents, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (also known as your “carbon footprint”) is your home. The first step toward making your home more energy efficient is to have an audit. There are many ways to get an audit, and they small cost in time and money is usually paid back quickly through savings on your energy bill! There are government programs that help arrange the audit, and pay for the cost of upgrades to your home. Download Energy Audit information.

Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling

Instead of having to drive to the Township of Montclair’s Dept. of Community Services and pay them $10 to buy a sticker for removal of your old refrigerator, why not earn $50 to get rid of it instead?

The Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling Program is a NJ Board of Public Utilities-sponsored initiative designed to encourage the recycling of old refrigerators and freezers by offering financial incentives to the owners of these appliances. Download Refrigerator/Recycling Program information.

Switch to More Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Transportation encompasses a large percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. In Montclair, more than a quarter of our carbon footprint comes from automobiles (28%). If the types of vehicles we use are more fuel efficient, a large impact can be made on the carbon footprint in town.

We are encouraging residents to make their next vehicle purchase from among a list of fuel efficient models. Specifically, this effort focuses on getting consumers to purchase only vehicles that have a government calculated fuel efficiency rating of “35 MPG highway” (or greater). We have identified 35 separate 2011 models that have a sticker price of less than $40,000 and achieve this government fuel efficiency rating. Download Fuel Efficient Vehicle information.

Sustainable Landscaping

Each weekend, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns, using 800 million gallons of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants. Garden equipment engines emit high levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides, producing up to 5% of the nation’s air pollution and a good deal more in metropolitan areas. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a new gas powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution in one hour of operation as 11 new cars, each being driven for one hour. Download Sustainable Landscaping information.

Press Room

Despite Lagging Economy, U.S. Mayors Still Find Ways to Advance Energy, Sustainability

Despite challenging economic conditions, a landmark survey of nearly 400 mayors in all 50 states has found that energy and sustainability efforts have maintained momentum within cities. The study, prepared for The U.S. Conference of Mayors and sponsored by Siemens, was based on survey research conducted from April to May, 2011, by the international research consultancy GlobeScan. Among its key findings, the survey noted:

• Three in four cities expect their use of clean energy technologies to increase over the next five years.
• LED/efficient lighting, low-energy building technologies and solar electricity generation are the top three “most promising” technologies for reducing energy use and carbon emissions.
• Mayors are looking to the economic benefits of these clean energy solutions as drivers of their energy strategies.
• For one in three cities, adapting to climate change is already an element of their capital planning or capital improvement programs.
• One-quarter of all cities have already set targets for the use of renewable energy.

According to the study, acknowledging financial restraints, cities are taking full advantage of available federal resources and looking to partner more with the private sector, among others, to continue their energy drives. The full survey report, Clean Energy Solutions for America's Cities, is now available at: usmayors.org/cleanenergy

“The overwhelming response to this survey – 396 mayors in all 50 states, representing about 74 million people – underscores the strong commitment of the nation’s mayors to clean energy technologies and energy efficiency solutions,” said Conference President Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz. “Mayors are acting on these commitments, which also support our nation’s greater goals on energy independence and security,” she explained.

“As a company that provides many of today’s technology solutions for cities, we’re pleased how cities are embracing the many economic benefits of sustainable technologies,” said Daryl Dulaney, president and CEO of Siemens Industry, Inc. “Our next challenge is to help cities come up with financing solutions that have minimal budget impact and keep cities on track with their sustainability goals using proven technologies.”

“LED and other efficient lighting sources are the technology of choice for cities aiming to reduce future energy use and climate-harming emissions," said Conference Vice President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. "We know from our experience in Los Angeles that LED streetlights are the way of the future and having a tremendous impact globally. They save money, protect the environment, and create jobs." The City of Los Angeles is now replacing 140,000 existing streetlight fixtures with LED units in order to save energy by a minimum of 40%, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 40,500 tons per year.

Conference Second Vice President Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, whose home to the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy-Efficient Buildings said, “Making our buildings more energy efficient through the use of new technologies is a clear priority for the nation’s mayors. It is something we can do today, paying dividends to all us well in the future.”

“The key drivers behind much of this activity are, not surprisingly, economic: to attract new businesses and jobs, reduce energy costs, and more generally, develop a greener economy,” said Tom Cochran, the Conference’s CEO and Executive Director. “Mayors credit energy block grants (EECBG funds) delivering federal resources directly to cities as crucial to the expanded investment partnership between businesses and cities on clean energy technologies and energy efficiency.”
Rob Kerr, Vice President of GlobeScan, which conducted the survey, said, "The survey reaffirms trends that we're seeing in different countries around the world - that cities are taking the practical lead in pushing national sustainability objectives by actually deploying the technologies today. Sustainability efforts are not going to just go away in tough economic times."

About The U.S. Conference of Mayors: The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,210 such cities in the country today, each represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the Mayor. Find us on facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors (www.usmayors.org).

Shrink Your Carbon Footprint at the Tour de Montclair

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Bike&Walk Montclair is thrilled to announce the 9th annual Tour de Montclair, to be held at Essex County Brookdale Park on Sunday, May 15th (rain or shine).   Bike&Walk Montclair’s signature event is held each May during National Bike Month in conjunction with May in Montclair. This community cycling and recreational event promises something for everyone: family-friendly bike routes, a car-free loop in the park, a trike-a-thon for the littlest riders, music, games, and this year – a community walk!

The Tour de Montclair, which drew over 1,000 cyclists last year, has grown from a family-friendly bike ride through Montclair to an all-out celebration of active living.  The theme of this year’s tour – “Bikes and Feet on Every Street” – expresses Bike&Walk Montclair’s twin goals of encouraging people to bike and walk, and making our streets more bike- and pedestrian-friendly. 

Cyclists of all abilities are invited to ride one of the Tour’s three routes: a one-mile car-free loop within the park, a medium on-road route (8 miles) and a more challenging “long route” around Montclair (12 miles).   Walkers can enjoy the car-free park and continue on a 4-mile route via the Lenape Trail (a blazed trail that links many attractions and neighborhoods) and the Upper Montclair shopping district. 

The 2011 Tour de Montclair’s lineup of partners includes the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, the Township of Montclair, the Montclair YMCA and, for the first time, Partners for Health Foundation, which will be showcasing its Healthy Eating Active Living initiative.

Participants are encouraged to register online for a reduced rate.  Online registration is $15 per person or $40 per family (up to 5 members). On Tour day, on-site registration will be $20 per person or $45 per family.  Be sure to take advantage of our Springtime Special:  $10 membership with registration!

Check-in for the Tour opens at 9:00 AM, and the ride and walk will start at 10:00 AM.  Information about the 2011 Tour, including details on how to become a sponsor, membership benefits and pre-registration promotions, can be found here. 

Taking the Pledge

Now that you've decided to take the pledge, here's what you do next: Taking the Pledge

Community Green, Montclair Present "Deep Green"

The Montclair Environmental Affairs office and Community Green present another eye-opening environmental movie from their Green Film Series. “Deep Green” will be shown at the Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, on Thursday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. All events at the Library are free.

Utilizing science and compassion, “Deep Green” is an upbeat film about transforming our use of energy, restoring the natural world to stop man-made global warming, as well as innovative opportunities and green technologies.

The documentary highlights what is already being done internationally to solve the climate crisis. Based on intensive research on the solutions to climate change, the film brings new clarity to an increasingly urgent situation. The best applications in energy efficiency, green building, de-carbonizing transportation, smart grids, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and forest restoration are explored. Some solutions are profoundly personal and practical, some are fascinatingly complex.

Featured are legendary authors Lester Brown and Michael Pollan; renowned scientists Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute and Dr. David Suzuki; and the powerful voices of green energy pioneers from several continents and countries. Following the film will be a presentation on the exciting new “It’s In Our Power” campaign to help people save energy and money, resulting from Montclair’s “Climate Showcase Community” EPA award.

Join us for the film, the presentation, and an open discussion afterwards. For further information about the Green Film Series contact Montclair’s office of Environmental Affairs at (973) 509-5721, or, // .

Visit Our Social Media Sites

Montclair is proud to be chosen by the EPA as a Climate Showcase Community. Visit our social media sites to see and learn more about Montclair, New Jersey's community efforts to affect change for the bettery by pledging to reduce our carbon footprint.

We're on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/pages/OurPowerMontclair/134430816608455?ref=sgm
See our photos on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/ourpowermontclair
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/OurPowerMTC
Watch our videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ourpowermontclair

OurPowerMontclair on NJ.com

Montclair hopes to entice residents to go green with rebate
MONTCLAIR — To get rid of an old, energy-hogging refrigerator in Montclair, you have two options: pay $10 or get paid $50. A sticker from the township’s public works yard to get curb-side pick-up for your old appliance will cost you, said Montclair’s environmental coordinator Gray Russell. ButOurPowerMontclair  We're on NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/10/montclair_hopes_to_entice_resi.html