Newark Joins National Effort to Curb Energy Waste

Newark is one of 16 cities chosen as a partner in an effort to promote energy efficient building practices, the office of Mayor Luis Quintana announced this week.

The program -- sponsored by the US Department of Energy -- is part of an effort to curb climate change with the assistance of local governments.

“We are proud to be included in the Better Buildings Accelerator,” said Quintana. “Newark is determined to be a national leader in environmental policy and action, and this program recognizes the progress we have made and will continue to make in improving operations of municipal buildings. Energy efficiency projects save taxpayer dollars, benefit our environment, and create jobs. We look forward to working with federal partners to advance these goals.”

Partly by using state and federal funds, the city has upgraded lighting, heating and cooling systems in 10 buildings since 2010, upgrades that have resulted in annual savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars, Quintana’s office said. Newark has also committed to reducing energy use in municipal buildings by 20 percent in the next five years in accordance with its Sustainability Action Plan.

Participation in the “Better Buildings Accelerator” will allow Newark to work with 15 other cities across the country to develop strategies and overcome barriers associated with large-scale energy retrofit projects using innovative financing methods such as Energy Savings Performance Contracting.