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.