Nearly 1 MW of solar installed for Teaneck, NJ school district

By Kelsey Misbrener Solar Power World

Infiniti Energy announced it has completed construction on 905 kW of new solar projects for the Teaneck New Jersey Board of Education. Infiniti Energy was hired by Concord Management Services, the EPC for the project. The project was completed under a PPA, which enables the district to achieve the financial benefits of renewable energy immediately while eliminating up-front expenditures and outsourcing operation and maintenance costs over a specified period. Financing for these projects was provided by Empower Energies.

“We were excited to help support the Teaneck school system with the installation of renewable energy sources that will provide stable energy costs for years to come,” said Michael Aladich, Jr., Infiniti senior project manager. “Public-private partnerships are an ideal option for educational facilities and municipal governments looking to reduce their energy costs and their carbon footprint, and we are proud to be an industry leader in the transition away from fossil fuel sources.

The design includes rooftop solar arrays at six K-12 buildings. Locations and individual system sizes include:

  • Teaneck High School, a 119-kWDC array.
  • Theodora Smiley Lacey School, a 110-kWDC array.
  • Thomas Jefferson Middle School, a 265-kWDC array.
  • Whittier Elementary School, a 125-kWDC array.
  • New Administration Building, a 103-kWDC array.
  • Lowell Elementary School, a 114-kWDC array.

“The Board of Education takes the stewardship of taxpayer money and our natural resources very seriously,” said Anthony D’Angelo, Teaneck School District Director of Facilities. “This project is a win-win for both residents and students. Not only will the new solar arrays save our school district money, but they will also provide direct educational opportunities for our students concerning the benefits to the environment of the growing clean energy industry.”

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Nearly 1 MW of solar installed for Teaneck, NJ school district Read More »

New law aims to increase Delaware’s lagging number of community solar installations

From a post in JDSUPRA

On Friday September 17, 2021 Delaware Governor John Carney signed three unique bills all seeking to tackle different environmental issues, Senate Bills 2, 21, and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 24.

This update will focus on Senate Bill 2 which facilitates development of community owned energy generating facilities and renewable energy in particular, solar power projects in the First State.

Senate Bill 2 has since prompted solar developers to explore new opportunities for these projects. The date on which Delmarva Power will start accepting applications is just around the corner. In this article, we will give some background and practical pointers for solar developers and landowners seeking to take advantage of this new legislation.

Expanding Solar Power in the State

Over the last decade, there has been significant growth in the use of solar power in the United States and around the world. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average annual growth rate in solar energy has been 42 percent over the past ten years. However, Delaware has arguably lagged behind this trend. Senate Bill 2 was passed in an effort to change that.

The bill, originally introduced in the Senate’s Environment & Energy Committee this past June, amends Titles 6, 26, and 29 of the Delaware Code relating to community-owned energy generating facilities and renewable energy. The legislation will involve a rulemaking by the Public Services Commission to culminate on March 11, 2022.

What the Law Will Do

Senate Bill 2 was enacted to eliminate current barriers to community-based solar photovoltaic systems in Delaware. The legislation sets up a regulatory process to be implemented by the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) with consumer protection provided by Delaware’s Department of Justice. Among other things, Senate Bill 2 will:

  1. Authorize multiple types of system ownership models, defined as “community-owned energy generating facilities”
  2. Allow a maximum system size of 4 megawatts (MW)
  3. Eliminate a previous requirement that all customers of a system be located on the same distribution feeder
  4. Eliminate a previous requirement that all customers of a system be identified before the system can be built
  5. Provide for the regulation of community-owned energy generating facilities by the PSC and specify the fees and other requirements for the system to be granted a Certificate to Operate
  6. Provide compensation to the system owner for 10% or less of unsubscribed energy
  7. Require system owners to certify that the system serves at least 15% low income customers; and
  8. Require the PSC to engage in rule-making in consultation with Delaware consumer protection authorities, and promulgate rules and regulations by March 11, 2022.
  9. This process has begun unfolding at a fast pace, with solar developers rushing to secure rights to suitable land, as well as prepare their applications.

Read the full story here

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

New law aims to increase Delaware’s lagging number of community solar installations Read More »

Looking to capitalize on fast-growing, bird-watching trend, New York opens first segment of state Bird Trail

NYDEC recently announced the grand opening of the first segment of the New York State Birding Trail at the Mount Loretto Unique Area on Staten Island.

The Birding Trail is a new initiative to highlight the state’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities, as birdwatching has quickly become one of New York’s fastest-growing recreation and tourism activities.

The New York State Birding Trail is managed by DEC in collaboration with partners in each region of the state, including the National Park Service, State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and NYC Parks.

The statewide Birding Trail, part of the State’s Adventure NY initiative to connect more New Yorkers with nature, is expected to be complete in 2022. 

Don’t miss environmental/nature news like this Click for free updates

The New York State Birding Trail will include a network of promoted birding locations that can be accessed by car or public transportation, providing an inclusive experience for all visitors to find birds amid beautiful natural settings with little or no cost or investment in equipment.

DEC will open new segments of the Birding Trail as they are completed in a phased approach. Once finished, the Birding Trail will provide birding opportunities for everyone, regardless of age, ability, identity or background, across New York State.

DEC is coordinating the New York City segment of the trail in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, and NYC Parks, along with Empire State Development’s Division of Tourism – I LOVE NY, and New York City Audubon.Read DEC’s news release for more information.

Looking to capitalize on fast-growing, bird-watching trend, New York opens first segment of state Bird Trail Read More »

Want to protect pollinators? Jersey’s got a plate for that

Black Swallowtail butterfly (SenateNJ.com)


Legislation sponsored by New Jersey State Senator Kip Bateman to create special license plates expressing support for the state’s native pollinators was signed into law on October 27, 2021 .

“New Jersey would not be the Garden State without the contribution of nature’s pollinators,” said Bateman (R-16). “From the gardens we grow to the produce we purchase at a local farmer’s market, many of our fruits, vegetables, and flowers depend on pollinators like bees and butterflies. The ‘Protect Pollinator’ license plates will ensure Jersey Fresh plants and crops grow strong for generations.”

Black Swallowtail butterfly
Senator Kip Batemen

Under the new law, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is required to create “Protect Pollinator” license plates, featuring a design and slogan that expresses support for New Jersey’s native pollinators.

“With a third of crops grown in New Jersey dependent on pollinators for reproduction, the creation of these plates will help the Garden State flourish,” said Bateman, who credited an avid gardener who lives in his district with bringing the idea to his attention.

Pollinators, including bees, bats, butterflies, moths, beetles, and others, are responsible for reproduction in 90 percent of the world’s flowering plants, including food crops, by spreading pollen from flower to flower.

Applicants for the license plate will be required to pay an initial fee of $50 and a subsequent $10 fee to renew the license plates.

Any monies from application fees that are not used to administer the license plate program would be deposited in this fund and annually appropriated to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and to the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program.

Don’t miss environmental news like this Click for free updates

Want to protect pollinators? Jersey’s got a plate for that Read More »

NYDEC Denies Title V Permit for Astoria Gas Turbine Power Plant

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the agency’s denial of the required Title V air permit for Astoria Gas Turbine Power, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy.

DEC said it had conducted a comprehensive review of Astoria NRG’s application and supporting materials, as well as the more than 6,600 public comments received on the project, before reaching this decision.

DEC said it concluded that the proposed project did not demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

“The proposed project would be inconsistent with or would interfere with the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits established in the Climate Act,” DEC said in a news release. “Astoria NRG failed to demonstrate the need or justification for the proposed project notwithstanding this inconsistency.”

The full decision is outlined in a letter (PDF) by Daniel Whitehead, Director, Division of Environmental Permits, DEC.

Related energy/environment news story:
NRG’s Astoria Power Plant Proposal Gets Thumbs Down From NY’s Congressional Delegation

NYDEC Denies Title V Permit for Astoria Gas Turbine Power Plant Read More »

Old Army Base in NJ Eyed by Netflix for Major Production Hub

The streaming service said it would bid for a nearly 300-acre chunk of Fort Monmouth and it has the support of Gov. Phil Murphy

Bids for Fort Monmouth, roughly 50 miles south of New York City, are due on Jan. 12.


By Brooks Barnes and John Koblin New York Times

Netflix wants to turn a crumbling Army base in New Jersey into one of the largest movie and television production hubs in the Northeast, a plan that has at least one important proponent: Gov. Phil Murphy.

On Tuesday, Netflix said it would bid for a 289-acre chunk of Fort Monmouth, about 50 miles south of New York City in the boroughs of Oceanport and Eatontown. The 96-year-old base — used by the United States to develop radar technology and where a civilian engineer, Julius Rosenberg, infamously began his espionage career — was closed by the Pentagon in 2011 as the military cut spending.

Bids for the site are due Jan. 12, and Netflix would not discuss the price it planned to offer. The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority has appraised the site at $54 million, but several developers previously offered more than $100 million for just 89 acres of the land in consideration. (Those plans fell through.) Netflix said in a statement that it would transform Fort Monmouth into a “state-of-the-art production facility,” indicating a mix of soundstages, postproduction buildings and backlot filming areas.

“Governor Murphy and the state’s legislative leaders have created a business environment that’s welcomed film and television production back to the state, and we’re excited to submit our bid,” Netflix’s statement said

Read the full story here

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Old Army Base in NJ Eyed by Netflix for Major Production Hub Read More »