Environmental Group Details Sustainability Summit in Glen Rock

The following is from a press release sent by Glen Rock Environmental Commission Chair Cindy Mehallow:

The Glen Rock Environmental Commission initiated and hosted the first Northwest Bergen County Area Environmental Summit on Tuesday, September 20. Twenty-one Environmental Commission members from seven local communities attended: Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Wykcoff, Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Hawthorne and Glen Rock met at [Glen Rock] Borough Hall.

Several commission members shared recent or ongoing accomplishments: Ed Schwartz, Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee Chair, described a beneficial power purchase agreement that will save the Village of Ridgewood $1.7 million present value over the next 20 years by using solar and combined heat and power generator to supply clean energy to and improve the energy efficiency of the village’s waste water treatment facility, a heavy user of electricity.

Monica Moscovici from the Fair Lawn Environmental Commission shared a proposal for an innovative storm water tax and credit program being adopted by some towns to reduce flooding and environmental damage caused by poorly managed storm water runoff.

Reyna Laiosa from Hawthorne explained how that town’s Environmental Commission promoted local merchants “green” offerings at a well-attended Green Festival held along with their Sunday Farmer’s Market.

Commission members ended the program with a discussion of common goals and action plans. The group identified several issues they hope to tackle together: storm water management, Sustainable Jersey certification, and strengthening local economies.

The dialogue provided an invaluable exchange of ideas and strategies to better improve environmental awareness and action in our region.

The group plans to continue the dialogue through a newly established LinkedIn group and quarterly meetings. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 2012.

For more information on Environmental Commissions, please see anjec.org. To reach your local Environmental Commission, please contact the Borough Hall in your municipality.

The Glen Rock Environmental Commission consists of seven volunteer residents who seek: to educate residents; advocate for a cleaner, healthier community; and advise the municipal government on the environmental impacts of proposed actions. 

Glen Rock is a registered community under the Sustainable Jersey program.