Monmouth County Saves Green by Going Green; Freeholder Mallet Spearheads The Initiative On Behalf Monmouth County

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The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has partnered with a solar power developer to install solar panels at five county locations that will allow the county to reap the environmental and economic benefits of clean energy technology.

“With this agreement, Monmouth County positions itself as a leader in New Jersey for sustainable energy production,” said Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, who spearheaded the initiative on behalf of the county. “The stars are aligned so that the county is getting new roofs, we’re saving $3 million, we’re creating jobs and it’s all being done at no cost to the taxpayers.”

The 15-year Power Purchase Agreements authorized by state law allow the county to contract with a solar energy firm to install and maintain the system. Under the contract, the county will provide the sites and will agree to purchase the electricity generated. Dobco Inc. of Wayne will install, maintain and accept electricity production responsibilities over the 15-year life of the contract.

Solar companies are able to sell power at a discounted rate as a result of regulatory and tax incentives which are currently available in order to buoy alternative energy projects.

The Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously approved a resolution to enter into a solar power partnership with Dobco at its May 27 meeting.

“Unlike recently implemented solar programs in other counties, Monmouth County will not incur debt to finance or provide guarantee for any part of the project,” Mallet said.

The solar photo-voltaic (PV) systems will be installed at five county locations that are among the highest consumers of electricity. PV systems use canopy and roof mounted solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. All but the Human Services Complex in Freehold Township will be getting new roofs. At Human Services, solar panels will be installed in the rear parking lot.

All five locations combined will generate about 1.5 megawatts of electricity. They are:

· Hall of Records in Freehold;

· County Courthouse in Freehold;

· John L. Montgomery Care Center in Freehold Township;

· Human Services Complex in Freehold Township, and

· Library Headquarters in Manalapan.

The county is expected to save $144,000 dollars in fiscal year 2011 and $2.5 million over the course of the 15-year agreement. Adding the $600,000 value of the new roofs brings the total value to more than $3 million.

The county’s solar initiative comes less than two years after the Board of Chosen Freeholders created a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Committee, which conducted an energy audit of county buildings that indicated where the PV systems should be installed. Freeholder John D’Amico credited the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Committee with paving the way for the county’s solar projects.

“This is an innovative program, and it puts Monmouth County on the forefront in taking advantage of energy credits that New Jersey permits,” said D’Amico, who has advocated for federal legislation to supply funding for energy reduction projects. “New Jersey is second to California in solar energy.”

With this contract, Monmouth County becomes a state leader in its efforts to create clean, renewable, sustainable energy, Mallet said.

“The catastrophe which is occurring in the Gulf of Mexico is undeniable proof that we need to find real alternatives to the industrialization of our precious natural resources,” Mallet said. “Clean and renewable energy is the direction we all need to take. This bold effort demonstrates that Monmouth County is serious about seeking alternative fuel sources and protecting the environment.”

By completing these PV projects, the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be equivalent to:

· 1,286 metric tons of coal per year;

· 246 passenger vehicles per year;

· 144,655 gallons of gasoline per year;

· 2,991 barrels of oil per year;

· annual electricity usage of 167 homes per year, or

· 32,976 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

The county is in the planning stages now for additional phases of implementation at other county facilities and properties.

“This is an excellent beginning,” Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said.

Monmouth Freeholders' Meetings Today: Democrats in Control

Today the first regularly scheduled Monmouth County Freeholder Meetings of the year take place. This is of significance to people that care because it marks the first time in 23 years that Democrats will reign over the board.  If anyone has time today they should go down to Freehold to check out the proceedings.

Below is a link to todays agenda and meeting times: 

The January 8, 2009 (Thursday) Monmouth County Freeholder Meeting
Agenda is available online for both the work and regular sessions. Click on this
link to view all agendas: http://co.monmouth.nj.us/freeholdersagenda/

Freeholders' Work Session Meeting
2:00 P.M.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2009
FREEHOLDERS’ MEETING ROOM
1 EAST MAIN STREET
HALL OF RECORDS, FREEHOLD, NJ

Freeholders' Regular Public Meeting
7:00 P.M.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2009
FREEHOLDERS’ MEETING ROOM
1 EAST MAIN STREET
HALL OF RECORDS, FREEHOLD, NJ

Please forgive me for speaking to Freeholder D'Amico

It seems as though Mr. Gallagher over at MoreMonmouthMisinformation and his anonymous buddy over at the Voice of Disinformation are a little upset with me for checking out their false statements about Amy Mallet and John D'Amico the other day. I am sorry that I upset them so!

Please forgive me for talking to Freeholder D'Amico personnally about this rather than leave it to a couple of Monmouth County Republican hacks that rely on rumor and innuendo to attack and defame people that they do not agree with politically.

Like true members of the GOP, when they are confronted with the truth but do not like what you have heard, the insults and name calling start to fly. It shows their true partisan colors.

There are no rumors floating around the Hall Of Records in Freehold that Democrats have not heard of already. Many times I have heard Freeholder McMorrow speak about the silliness that goes on in the hallways outside her office.

So, if I chose to believe Freeholder D'Amico's word rather than some anonymous blogger or partisan GOP County Committee person, that's my choice and I'm sticking to it.