Sustainable Jersey – Kevin Hollerbach – 2017

Goals

Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. The program culminates in a certification award to municipalities and schools that have documented meeting a set of rigorous standards. EDF Climate Corps fellow Kevin Hollerbach was hired to help Howell Township with its sustainability initiatives and assist the municipality in navigating the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. He was also tasked with creating a new Sustainable Jersey “action” for schools that enables them to earn points for implementing a student-led energy conservation program.

Solutions

Hollerbach identified a number of grants and programs to support and encourage energy improvements for Howell Township. A grant application for two electric vehicle charging stations at Howell’s municipal building was submitted for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection “It Pay$ to Plug In” program. A grant application for the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants program funded by the Gardinier Environmental Fund was prepared to fund a project to replace two flashing light fixtures at school crossings with solar and LED alternatives.

Working with the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, Hollerbach developed a commercial energy efficiency outreach campaign expected to reach 5% of businesses in the town with a goal of 10% reductions in energy consumption.

Potential Impact

Howell Township is well poised to move forward with the available grants and incentives to implement environmentally and economically responsible projects in the town. The installation of EV charging stations will encourage municipal employees to purchase electric vehicles. Replacing the school flashing lights with LED and solar alternatives will be an example of renewable alternatives to everyday infrastructure throughout the town. Through the Direct Install outreach program, businesses generally see ~10% savings, and as more engage, others will follow.

Three separate schools applied to participate in the PowerSave Schools program which has the potential to save each school up to 15% on energy with behavioral modification alone. Along with this, students will gain invaluable experience with energy efficiency and sustainability, leading them down a greener career path early in their education. When fully engaged in the program, each of these schools will have the ability to save up to 225,000 kWh per year.