Since becoming Mayor last year, I have worked hard in developing an Energy Master Plan for our community. Instead of looking at energy issues individually, we have assembled a plan that will not only meet the energy needs of the municipality but also save taxpayers money, and in some instances, make revenue for our township.

Our Gloucester Township Energy Master Plan consists of solar projects, energy audits, energy purchase consortiums and recycling initiatives. By looking at these projects in one plan, we are better able to coordinate and implement ideas that will help our environment and make sense from a financial perspective for the township.

Our Solar initiative is currently underway, as we have already placed solar panels on the municipal hall and are working to bring a solar field to an abandoned Owens Corning landfill on Somerdale Road. We aren’t stopping there. We have partnered with both the Gloucester Township School District and the Black Horse Pike Regional School District in one of the largest solar shared services agreements in New Jersey. This shared services agreement will allow our schools and some additional municipally owned buildings to have solar panels installed that will dramatically reduce energy costs for our township and school districts. 

We are currently in the process of conducting energy audits of seven municipally owned buildings and have again partnered with the Black Horse Pike Regional School District to thoroughly review schools and buildings for energy efficiency upgrades. This program will also allow for greater savings as we use less energy and increase efficiency in our buildings. 

We have also entered into a purchasing consortium with the County of Camden that will allow us to purchase energy from a third party supplier. This “aggregation” will result in a reduction of the price we pay for electricity. 

And lastly, we are implementing single stream recycling that will reduce the amount of trash we produce and increase our recycling revenue. In November, the township will be delivering to every residence a new recycling canister which will be larger than the current yellow bins and will hold plastics, glass, paper and cardboard all in one. This recycling program will be fully automated with new one-manned trucks with an automated mechanical arm that will lift the canister. We are also excited about our partnership with the American Cancer Society as we will be promoting Breast Cancer awareness on our recycling canisters. This program will reduce the amount we currently pay for trash disposal and will increase the revenue we receive from recycling. 

Through very diligent work by our Green Team, the township will also be certified by the state as a Sustainable New Jersey community.  This recognition will be received because of the many green initiatives spearheaded by our Green Team including the establishment of our first community garden, making Gloucester Township Day a Green Fair, establishing electronic and appliance recycling programs and coordinating the Mayors Wellness Campaign to name a few. 

Please follow our progress on the townships website at www.glotwp.com. Information about our Green Team and Sustainable Gloucester Township can also be found there. Let’s all help Gloucester Township go Green!