Community-Led Solar Program A Future Possibility For Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — There are ways that Chatham Borough can help bring the state of New Jersey closer to its environmental goals, according to the borough’s Environmental Commission chair.

Torri VanWie presented an overview for the Chatham Borough Council at Monday’s meeting, offering a potential goal list to the borough to make the borough more environmentally-friendly, which in turn can help the state in its goals, she said.

New Jersey's Energy Master Plan is striving by 2050 to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent, VanWie said.

She named some "gold level" steps that came from Sustainable Jersey, the certification group that has already given Chatham Borough a silver rating for its environmental practices. Making the town electric vehicle friendly, hosting public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, creating a more solar-friendly municipality, sparking community-led solar initiatives and developing residential and commercial energy efficiency outreach programs, were among ideas discussed.

Some would require the amendment or adoption of zoning ordinances for a more environmentally-friendly town, said VanWie. Ordinances to allow electric vehicle supply equipment in all districts, design standards for electric vehicle supply equipment and parking spaces and training for first responders on heading to incidents with electric vehicles, were among them.

She said publicly-available electric vehicle charging stations are becoming reality in the borough, thanks to grant monies.

Sustainable Jersey also suggested the borough adopt a solar zoning ordinance with a nominal fee, which would provide residents with more guidance in adding solar to their homes.

An energy co-op with renewable energy was another suggestion, which the borough would only enter if it would reduce electric costs for residents, she said.

Community-led solar was another idea VanWie mentioned, to set up community solar panels potentially on the sewer treatment plant and at the train station, among possible locations. That idea may be able to provide renewable energy to residents in town who are in the low-to-medium income range and help them lower their electric bills.

Watch the full presentation in the video clip below:

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