Parsippany-Troy Hills Awarded $2K Sustainability Grant

PARSIPPANY, NJ —Parsippany-Troy Hills got a $2,000 grant that will help the town reach its sustainability goals.

The funds will be used for researching the feasibility of renewable resources at municipal facilities to integrate technologies while reducing the town’s carbon footprint.

"This endeavor is not just about revamping our energy infrastructure to be more sustainable; it’s also about modernizing our systems to be protected in the event of disaster and emergency," Mayor Michael Soriano said in a statement.

The grant will partially cover the cost of hiring an environmental and engineering consultant to assess the feasibility of installing solar panels, ground source heat pumps, wind energy and other energy storage at the wastewater treatment plant.

"We’re trying to address both the immediate need in creating more efficient energy transfer, while also investing in existing technology to improve what’s already there long-term," Soriano said.

The Sustainable Jersey capacity-building grant is funded by the PSEG Foundation. Four $20,000 grants, eight $10,000 grants and twenty $2,000 grants were distributed to municipalities in 14 New Jersey counties.

"I continue to be amazed by what is possible when elected officials, municipal staff, green teams and community members work together to create vibrant and sustainable communities,” said Randall Solomon, executive director for Sustainable Jersey. “These grants will build capacity as municipalities move sustainability programs forward.”

The grant awards will fund a range of projects including:

• Green infrastructure implementation
• Stormwater management and floodplain restoration
• Green business certification programs
• Buy-local campaigns
• Farmers markets and sustainable take-out container campaigns
• Community and pollinator gardens
• Energy efficiency upgrades and studies
• Educational campaigns focused on a variety of sustainability issues such as water conservation
• Food waste, recycling, and single-use plastics
• General green team support