Ridgewood Could Save Green by Going Green

Village municipal buildings may be shining a special shade of green if the village council approves an ordinance to perform an energy audit.

If an ordinance is approved, $40,000 set aside in capital outlay will go toward the cost of an energy audit and improvements to various municipal-owned buildings.

Village Manager Ken Gabbert reported at a January council meeting that the state often reimburses significant portions of the initial costs incurred by applying municipalities. Provided the council approves the request, the audit could be done as early as summer if all goes well, Gabbert said.

While $40,000 in total is allocated in capital outlay, $28,000 will be in audit costs and the remaining $12,000 will go toward improvements recommended in the audit.

Some buildings–like Village Hall, the library and water pollution plant–will not be eligible, as they've already received improvements in lighting, light controls and other minor upgrades to save energy. Gabbert said a specific projected cost savings on energy was not given from the previously completed improvements. The amount saved on future work depends on how much work is done and if the return on investment is worth the upfront cost.

Facilities in the audit are rated according to a state-used portfolio tool, which analyzes data on the size of the facilitity, history of energy use, and equipment like lighting, HVAC, copy machines and other assorted electronics. The auditor also sees if opportunities such as solar, wind, geothermal or biomass are feasible.

Depending on applicable guidelines being followed with a state-selected firm to carry out the audit, Ridgewood could receive up to 75 percent of the cost refunded; the village is shooting for 25 percent implementation of audit recommendations, which could be reimbursed by the state.

"Unfortunately, limited capital budgets often mean local governments have little upfront money and finding qualified energy audit firms while adhering to complex procurement rules can be a major challenge," New Jersey Public Utilities Board President Jeanne M. Fox said on the state website.

"The new program offers an incentive for municipalities, school districts, sewer authorities and similar entities...to do comprehensive energy audits and then complete the necessary upgrades that can put your community on the road to lower energy costs," Fox said to prospective communities.