PROSPECT PARK BECOMES FIRST NJ MUNICIPALITY TO ADOPT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN UNDER THE NJ BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND SUSTAINABLE JERSEY CLEAN ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM

Borough Retained DMR Architects to Prepare Plan with $25,000 Grant

PROSPECT PARK, N.J., March 22, 2023—Prospect Park in Passaic County has become the first municipality to adopt a Community Energy Plan through the NJ Board of Public Utility’s grant program in an effort to align with The State’s Energy Master Plan, the roadmap to reaching Governor Murphy’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

The borough used its $25,000 grant to retain DMR Architects to prepare the plan, which identifies more than two dozen initiatives that Prospect Park will implement within a five-year period, ultimately naming the Hasbrouck Heights-based firm as its planning consultant to help guide the implementation.

The initiatives include:

• Installing renewable energy sources, energy storage, and public EV charging stations on municipal properties, and improving energy efficiency of municipal buildings;
• Creating opportunities for community solar programs that allow the public to purchase solar energy from off-site sources, with an emphasis on availability and affordability for low- and moderate-income households;
• Outreach campaigns to increase resident and business participation in incentive programs offered by the state, federal government and utilities like PSE&G to transition to electric vehicles, make energy efficient improvements and install solar and other forms of renewable energy;
• Replace older borough fleet vehicles with newer, preferably electric alternatives, and adopt fuel efficient fleet vehicle management practices;
• Make energy planning inclusive of low- and moderate-income and non-English speaking households;
• Adopt zoning and regulatory language that permits renewable energy production and energy storage.

“We applaud Mayor Khairullah and the Prospect Park council for recognizing the role that reducing carbon-based energy sources plays in the overall health and wellbeing of everyone who lives and works in Prospect Park,” said Tracey Woods, Energy Program Manager for Sustainable Jersey. “Their commitment to change shows that any municipality can address climate change in a meaningful way.”

“This is the next step for us towards making more clean energy sources available and reducing GHG emissions,” said Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah.  “We had a public reading of the plan earlier this month and there was overwhelming support from our residents and businesses.”

“There are state-level grants, tax credits from the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, and incentives through utility companies available right now making it the ideal time for municipalities to create Community Energy Plans,” said Daniel Hauben, PP, AICP, LEED Green Associate, Senior Project Planner for DMR Architects. “As planners committed to building healthier and more affordable communities, our team at DMR is equipped to guide our municipal clients through the resources that are available to them now.”

In June 2022 NJBPU approved $820,000 in grants to 46 municipalities to create Community Energy Plans to combat climate change.  Prospect Park was one of only 24 designated as overburdened and eligible for $25,000.

Prospect Park is on the verge of becoming the first municipality in New Jersey to complete a LED Streetlight conversion for the entire borough, an effort they are coordinating in partnership with PSE&G.

About DMR Architects

DMR Architects’ success is built on the commitments of its teams, their dedication, the trust they nurture with their clients, and the challenges they meet with passion and intelligence to make a profound impact on the communities they serve. Founded in 1991, DMR’s commitments to foster an atmosphere of trust, creativity, and excellence has built a reputation as a respected full-service architectural firm specializing in architecture, master planning, sustainable design, programming, interior design and construction administration.

Headquartered in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., DMR Architects is active throughout local, national and international markets, and has served a diverse client base in all sectors, including public, corporate, education, residential and healthcare. For more information, please visit www.dmrarchitects.com.