NEW 2023 Certification Application Cycle Timeline Released

First Submission Deadline February 26

Based on feedback from participants and the desire to recognize all certified municipalities at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon in November, a new annual certification cycle will be implemented in 2023. The 2023 certification cycle timeline is available on our website here and below:

What does this mean?

• There will still be an opportunity for three rounds of submission and review.
• Municipalities can apply for certification for the first time in any of the three rounds. However, it is highly recommended to submit in February or May to use reviewers' feedback to help achieve certification for the final deadline.
• For applications submitted for the first time in July, the next opportunity to update the application based on reviewer feedback would be February 2024 for 2024 certification.  
• All municipalities certified as part of the 2023 certification cycle will be recognized at the Sustainable Jersey Luncheon in November. Annual Awards including the Sustainability Champions will be based on the point totals achieved following the third and final round of review.

Expiring Municipalities

Municipalities certified as part of the 2020 certification cycle (expiring for the first time in 2023), that feel this change would impact their 2023 recertification efforts, can request a one-year extension on their certification. To submit an extension request, a municipal official or the green team leader can complete the extension request form here. If a municipality certified as part of the 2020 certification cycle submits for certification in 2023 but is unsuccessful in its recertification efforts, it will have its certification automatically extended one year.  

2023 Certification Webinar

If your municipality is planning to apply for certification or recertification in 2023 this webinar will cover the new cycle timeline and options for municipalities certified in the 2020 cycle (expiring for the first time in 2023). In addition, we will review the certification requirements, managing your application, and tips for a successful application.  

Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 12:00pm – 1:30pm 

NEW! October Sustainability Hero

The October 2022 Sustainability Hero is Vicky Binetti the chair of the Washington Township Green Team and Environmental Commission in Gloucester County. Vicky has had an impressive career that includes 30 years at the U.S. EPA’s Region 3 Mid-Atlantic division and over 25 years volunteering in Washington Township. See how the Wellhead Protection Ordinance, Tri-County Sustainability, Dr. Ruth Patrick, the Painting the Town project and the Monarch Rescue Project fit into the story on the Sustainable Jersey Heroes page.

To celebrate the stories of our local leaders, we recognize a monthly Sustainability Hero. If you have recommendations for someone on your green team, municipal staff, school staff or task force that’s a sustainability hero, complete the submission form.  

FREE Technical Assistance for Advancing Equity in Your Municipality 

To succeed in our shared mission to, “build a more sustainable world one community at a time,” we need to engage the effort, skills and buy-in of all community members, and ensure that everyone shares in the benefits. Towards this end, Sustainable Jersey is offering no-cost technical assistance to one municipality interested in advancing social equity, diversity and inclusion in its municipal policies, procedures, and programs.

The technical assistance will provide:

• Equity Coaching and Technical Assistance: A professional equity coach and Sustainable Jersey staff provide support and training.
• Assistance Completing Sustainable Jersey Actions: Help completing the new Community Equity and Diversity Profile action and more. 
• Assistance Completing an Equity Action of Your Choice: Using the new action under development (Advancing Equity through Municipal Action) implement an initiative of your town’s choice and take advantage of a guided process informed by equity-related best practices and local data.

Find out more about this opportunity and access the application packet here. 

Application Deadline: November 11, 2022

Join Us for the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference

The Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon takes place on the first day of the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) Conference. The Luncheon will be on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 11:30am – 1:30pm. Register here.

The NJLM Conference offers three days of education and networking. You can attend and register for the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon only, but if you want to take part in the NJLM Conference you need to pay a separate admission fee and register here. 

SESSION SPOTLIGHT:

Technical Assistance for Municipal Energy Initiatives

Tuesday, November 15, 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Room 420, Atlantic City Convention Center

How can Sustainable Jersey Technical Assistance help your municipality save energy and reduce energy costs? Hear from municipalities about their achievements in reducing energy consumption in their facilities and fleets. Learn more.

2022 New Jersey Complete Streets Training

Registration is open for the 2022 New Jersey Complete Streets Training! The FREE 3-hour online training, sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, consists of three modules covering all the basics of Complete Streets from the benefits to the planning to the design elements needed to implement them in your community. This training is designed for planners, engineers, advocates, public health professionals, policymakers, elected officials, and anyone looking to learn more about Complete and Green Streets.

Sign up for one of three dates in October. Each online training will focus on a different region of the state, but all sessions will cover the same basic principles and are open to everyone:

• Thursday, October 20, 2022, 9am - 12pm (Central Jersey focus)
• Thursday, October 27, 2022, 1pm - 4pm (South Jersey focus)

Visit njbikeped.org/nj-complete-streets-training to learn more about what the training covers and to register for a session. If you have any questions, please contact: bikeped@ejb.rutgers.edu.

Health in All Policies Online Course

In this online course offered by Rutgers, the Planning Healthy Communities Initiative (PHCI) will lead an introductory training on Health in All Policies, focusing on how to bring community health and

equity into planning processes and decision-making, emerging tools to build capacity for health

advancement in planning, and how to support health in all policies. In addition to presentations,

participants will engage in group exercises, discuss opportunities and challenges to integrating health

into planning and policy processes, and learn about new statewide collaborative initiatives.

This training will help meet the training requirements of the Sustainable Jersey Integrating

Health in Municipal Decision Making action. If your municipality is interested in the Gold Star

in Health, approval of this action is required.

Friday, November 4, 2022, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Register – Fee Applies

2022 Governor’s Environmental

Excellence Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards. The awards program was established by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 2000 to recognize outstanding environmental performance, programs, and projects in the state. Eligible applicants include individuals, businesses, institutions, communities, organizations, educators, and youth. One award will be presented in each of the following categories: climate, clean air, watershed management and water resources, healthy ecosystems and habitats, healthy communities, sustainability – community and business, environmental justice, and environmental education – educator-led and student-led projects. View the full application and additional details here.

Application Deadline: Monday, October 24, 2022, 5:00pm

Other Events

Organic Waste Management Summit 2022

The NJ Composting Council and the Rutgers EcoComplex will host the 2022 Organics Waste Management Summit: Compost - Climate Change Connection. Organics processors, composters, haulers, regulators, academics, organics waste management professionals, sustainable community organizations, and nonprofits are invited to join the conversation about New Jersey’s organics management practices. The Summit will host panels featuring experienced industry professionals, academics and regulators on topics of: State and city food waste initiatives and climate change programs; The role and how to work with compostable packaging; Compost facility management (economics, PFAS, new techniques); Funding and operating climate friendly organics businesses. USCC Professional certification credits and Rutgers Recycling Continuing education credits will be available for attendees. To learn more, visit the event registration page.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 8:00am – 5:00pm

Rutgers Eco Complex

1200 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505

Register – Fee Applies

Learn How to Fund Stormwater or Green Infrastructure Projects

Join the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and Waterspirit for a conversation with funders at the Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank about the grants, loans, and financing options they provide to municipalities to cover the costs of stormwater feasibility studies, climate resiliency programs, green infrastructure projects, and other water infrastructure needs. Such funding could support the completion of Sustainable Jersey actions, including Green Infrastructure Planning, Green Infrastructure Implementation, and Complete and Green Streets for All.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 12:00pm -1:00pm 

Register

Other Funding Opportunities

NJCEP’s Electric Vehicle Funding Programs are Open

New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program currently has four electric vehicles (EV) incentive programs:

• Charge Up New Jersey Incentives for light-duty electric vehicles and at-home electric charging equipment. Program open until funds are exhausted.
• Clean Fleet Electric Vehicle Incentive Program Incentives for electric fleet vehicles and EV charging equipment for school districts and municipalities. Deadline: June 2, 2023
• EV Tourism Program Incentives for EV charging equipment at tourist locations such as boardwalks, parks, and other unique attractions, as well as overnight lodging establishments. Deadline: October 31, 2022
• Multi-Unit Dwelling Electric Vehicle Charging Program Incentives for EV charging equipment at eligible multi-unit dwellings including apartments, condominiums, or mixed residential locations that have a minimum of five units and dedicated off-street parking. Deadline: June 2, 2023

Learn more about these programs at NJCleanEnergy.com/EV. These incentives can help municipalities earn points in the Electric Vehicle Community Outreach, Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, and Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicle actions.

Green Team Resources

Energy Efficiency Stimulus Grant Program for Women- and Minority-owned Small Businesses



New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program launched $180 million in federal grant programs for schools and women- and minority-owned small businesses to upgrade HVAC, plumbing fixtures, and appliances to meet energy efficiency and health standards. The funding available for schools is already filled due to high demand but funding is available for women- and minority-owned small businesses.

Green teams and municipalities can help eligible businesses learn about these programs by sharing program information on social media, webpages, newsletters or other outreach channels.

Grant funding can cover up to 75% of total project cost. Share these application links with your business community: HVAC Application (SSB-VEEVR) and Plumbing and Appliance Application (SSB-NPFA).

Learn more about the program at NJCleanEnergy.com/SSBStimulus.