Montclair’s Office of Environmental Affairs is pleased to announce that the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) will honor the Sustainable Essex Alliance (SEA) with their prestigious 2019 Environmental Achievement Award, for the design and implementation of the Community Choice Renewable Electricity Aggregation Program for Montclair, Maplewood, South Orange, Glen Ridge, and Verona.
The cooperative energy purchasing project, supported by Montclair Township Council and the Township Manager’s office, went into effect over the summer. Montclair residents are now using electricity delivered by PSE&G from a supply with double the amount of clean, renewable energy compared to the rest of the state, with an over 10% reduction in the rate paid for that improved supply.
This recognition from the state's leading municipal environmental support organization is an indication of the Sustainable Essex Alliance's smart program design and perseverance, as well as the support and guidance of the five towns' elected officials and municipal administrators.
The SEA team will be presented this award at the upcoming ANJEC Annual Environmental Congress on October 4th, at Mercer County College.
In Montclair, fully 87% of homes participate in the program, for a total of 12,345 residential electric accounts. With an estimated average savings over the course of the 17-month contract of about $100 per apartment and about $150 per house – depending upon usage – this means a total accumulated savings of over $1.5 million for our residents, while doubling the amount of clean, renewable electricity delivered to our homes – a win-win success for our community.