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By Alexis Tarrazi / Senior Reporter

LYNDHURST (March 3, 2010) — It would seem the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is turning to the sky, more specifically the sun, to help generate energy for local municipalities through the use of standing buildings, a parking lot and a landfill.

The Commission announced a series of solar energy initiatives at its Wednesday, Feb. 24 meeting.

“Through these creative and forward-thinking programs the NJMC can better help Meadowlands District municipalities conserve energy and save taxpayer dollars,” stated Lori Grifa, acting chairman of the NJMC and acting commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs in a release. “As a driver of economic growth and environmental responsibility, renewable energy production is critical to our state’s fiscal and environmental future.”

In 2008, the NJMC created the pilot Municipal Solar Assistance Program to help municipalities and school districts develop renewable energy resources. Brian Aberback, spokesman for the Commission, said the NJMC has already identified buildings and structures that would be suitable for photovoltaic systems (more commonly referred to as solar panels).

North Arlington immediately took advantage of the program when borough officials identified basically every school and borough building as a candidate for solar panels. The NJMC paid for rooftop assessments for the Department of Public Works, senior center, library, fire companies 2 and 3, high school, middle school and Jefferson, Roosevelt and Washington schools. The Commission is still reviewing the results of the assessments.

Kearny, Secaucus and Little Ferry have also completed assessments.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Councilman Steve Tanelli said of possibly getting solar for the borough. “A lot of towns are doing it. If we can get solar power to generate energy for the borough it will definitely be a cost savings for taxpayers.”

Proving popular, the Commission decided to expand the free program to encompass all 14 towns and school districts.

Continuing with its solar initiatives, the NJMC was able to negotiate a contract with SunDurance Energy to build a solar canopy over the Commission’s parking facility in Lyndhurst. The canopy — funded by a Customer On-Site Renewable Energy rebate from the state Board of Public Utilities — is expected to generate roughly 150 kilowatts of power, enough to satisfy approximately 20 percent of the electricity needs of its administration building.

Similar canopies have already been installed across the Garden State, including in the new Trenton AMTRAK/NJ Transit center and at a wastewater treatment plant in Waldwick.

Aside from buildings, structures and parking lots, landfills have also proved useful in generating energy. The Commission will enter into a joint initiative with PSE&G, where the power utility would build, own and operate a grid-connected solar farm on the NJMC-owned former 1E landfill space. The company’s initial plans call for a solar installation that can generate up to 20 megawatts of low-cost, clean energy. PSE&G is required to obtain approval from the state Board of Public Utilities prior to commencement of this project, according to the commission’s release.

Lease payments made to the NJMC from the solar farm will be utilized to create the Meadowlands Renewable Energy Fund to provide grants to district municipalities for sustainable, renewable energy and energy conservation projects.

The new initiatives build upon the Commission’s solar projects already underway, such as a plan to construct a solar array on the 1A landfill in Kearny and the reduction in the NJMC’s development fees for private developers who want to include solar components on buildings within the district.

“The NJMC has long advocated renewable and alternative energy projects as crucial to shaping an economically and environmentally sustainable Meadowlands,” stated Robert Ceberio, NJMC executive director in a release. “We are thoroughly committed to using our resources to help produce clean energy, cost savings and economic development throughout the region.”

Contact Alexis at 201-438-8700