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Rooftop Solar Installations in Secaucus, NJ

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) announced today that New Jersey’s installed solar capacity has surpassed 300 MW, and that there are more than 8,000 projects statewide. Solar installations in New Jersey are coming online at an unprecedented rate. Newly installed capacity has averaged 15 MW per month since September 2010. This has increased the supply of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) eligible for use in meeting New Jersey’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).

Through March 2011, New Jersey has a total of 305 MW of solar renewable energy capacity installed as a result of incentives available through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, net metering and interconnection regulations, RPS regulations, and the SREC financing model. The amount of solar capacity installed in 2010 exceeded the cumulative amount of solar installed since the beginning of the clean energy incentive programs in 2001.

“New Jersey continues to be at the forefront of the solar industry,” said BPU President Lee A. Solomon. “As the SREC market continues to grow, New Jersey will ensure that there is transparency and certainty for businesses in the renewable energy market.”

Over 10 MW of this 305 MW is located right here in the Meadowlands District.

To read the more please visit: www.NJCleanEnergy.com

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Top 10 U.S. States for cumulative installed solar capacity as of 2010 are:

1. California: 47 percent with 971 megawatts

2. New Jersey: 14 percent with 293 MW

3. Colorado: 5 percent with 108 MW

4. Arizona: 5 percent with 101 MW

5. Nevada: 5 percent with 97 MW

6. Florida: 4 percent with 73 MW

7. New York: 3 percent with 54 MW

8. Pennsylvania: 3 percent with 54 MW

9. New Mexico: 2 percent with 45 MW

10. North Carolina: 2 percent with 42 MW

Today, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that it has selected the NJMC’s Meadowlands Adaptive Signal System (MASSTR) project as a recipient of a grant under its competitive TIGER II grant program. The NJMC will receive a $10,008,056 grant from the USDOT under this $600 million program.

Tiger II dollars will be used to improve traffic flow in one of the most heavily used corridors in the Nation by modernizing and coordinating signals along the corridor. Traffic signals at 128 intersections will use algorithmic intelligence to achieve the maximum roadway capacity, improve operating efficiency, and avoid unnecessary roadway widening. The project makes use of innovative technology, using real-time image-based vehicle detection, broadband wireless communication, and an adaptive control system. This technology allows signal timing and phasing on a cycle-by-cycle basis in response to current traffic conditions, demand and capacity. The automation will help keep operation and maintenance costs to a minimum.

The Adaptive Signal System is an innovative and inexpensive way to alleviate congestion within an existing transportation network without having to resort to expensive road widening. The area is in one of the most congested in the US and serves numerous businesses, entertainment facilities, ports and transit facilities. The corridor feeds millions of people into and out of the New York City metropolitan region, a staggering 438,628 cars and trucks travel the corridor every day, making it one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the country. The system will benefit the thousands who use personal vehicles and transit buses to get around the region and into New York City. Additionally, a reduction in congestion will save thousands of tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions and help reduce fuel consumption dependence on oil.

Highlights:

• Improved transit times for nearly 120,000 annual rides on NJ transit, local, and private buses which travel through the area
• Adaptive traffic control system which adjusts signal timing on and phasing based on current traffic conditions with minimal manual interference
• Wireless network ensures various pieces communicate and work together

For more information: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot18810.html

The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission last week installed two new tide gates in Carlstadt to help better manage flooding in the region, including the industrial area along the east side of the borough. The project compliments the Commission’s multi-million dollar investment in flood management projects and illustrates the agency’s ongoing commitment to helping maintain the flow of commerce in the flood-prone Meadowlands District.

The massive new tide gates are located near the Hackensack River at the Bashes Creek and Moonachie Creek culverts that cross under the New Jersey Turnpike’s Western Spur. The Bashes Creek tide gate is 10-by-10 feet, while those at Moonachie Creek measure 12-by-20 feet. The $414,000 project will help address tidal surges that cause flooding at businesses located east of Washington Avenue, while also providing benefits to the surrounding marsh. The tide gates will be outfitted with high-tech, solar-powered sensors that will allow NJMC scientists to remotely monitor the gates’ operations from their computers.

“The Moonachie and Bashes Creek project is the latest example of the NJMC’s aggressive commitment to address flooding in the Meadowlands,” said Robert Ceberio, executive director of the NJMC. “When flooding is reduced traffic flow improves, customers and vendors can better access local businesses, and Meadowlands District residents enjoy a higher quality of life.”

The Meadowlands District has a long history of flooding issues. Ninety percent of the District is two feet or less from the mean high-water mark, and more than 5,000 homes and 2,000 businesses fall within a Federal Emergency Management Agency special flood hazard area.

In keeping with its goal of reducing the impact of flooding in the region, the NJMC has invested more than $10 million in flood plain management projects over the past seven years. These include a $5.5 million project to help handle flooding on Route 17 near the Rutherford-East Rutherford border – one of the busiest commercial arteries in the state. Previous work includes a $340,000 project which involved the construction of a new tide gate at Palmer Terrace and the restoration of the Asia Place ditch system – both in Carlstadt – to better manage tidal flow to industrial and commercial properties west of Washington Avenue.

The NJMC also plans to replace the 35-year-old West Riser Tide Gates in Moonachie, a project that would help better protect neighboring Teterboro Airport and its surrounding areas from flooding, including Industrial Avenue in Teterboro and residential streets in Moonachie. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has contributed $552,000 to the approximately $1.5 million project, which is in its early stages.

The Commission’s flood plain management efforts have literally paid off for District property owners, who are eligible for 15 percent flood insurance savings through the Federal Emergency Management Agency when they renew their policies or purchase new premiums. FEMA recognized the NJMC for exceeding national flood control standards, making residential, commercial and industrial property owners eligible for the insurance discounts.

The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission announced last week that it has approved a zoning certificate that will pave the way for dessert company Bindi USA to build a new headquarters facility in Kearny.

Bindi USA — the U.S. operations of the Italian dessert maker — plans to build a 64,000-square-foot facility on a vacant lot near the intersection of the Belleville Turnpike and Barsczewski Street.

The project’s first phase, which will be finished around May 2011, will consist of the construction of warehouse and office space and an interior loading dock. In the second phase of the project, slated for completion around May 2013, production and additional warehouse space will be built.

Bindi USA, whose current headquarters are at 405 Minnisink Road, in Totowa, is expected to relocate to the new building in May 2011. The new facility will employ about 50 workers; Bindi has 90 employees in New Jersey, including those at a production plant in Belleville.

On Thursday, May 27, Bob’s Discount Furniture will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of its new Secaucus, N.J. store, the 38th location for the furniture retailer. The 74,000 square foot store is one of Bob’s Discount Furniture’s largest and is located in the Mill Creek Shopping Center. It marks the completion of the recent renovation of the shopping center from an enclosed mall to big-box retailers including the addition of Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, T.J. Maxx, and the Sport Authority, as well as the Kohl’s department store that previously existed at the mall.

Pursuant to this regulatory review, the NJMC staff has identified a number of existing provisions for waivers and other relief included within the District Zoning Regulations at N.J.A.C. 19:4 and the District Subdivision Regulations at N.J.A.C. 19:5 that are consistent with the intent of Executive Order No. 2 to provide flexibility in the regulatory review process.

District Zoning Regulations

93kW PV System at Kaktus Inc

Recently, Satjas LLC utilized the rooftop of Kaktus Sportswear Inc, a garment company located within the New Jersey Meadowlands District in Carlstadt, to install a 93 kW solar photovoltaic system.  Satjas LLC market themselves as an environmentally aware business that strives to make conscious decisions concerning the environment by utilizing solar power to produce electricity.   The system is designed to provide  enough electricity for their entire corporate office and distribution center at 390 Starke Road.

The building is owned by Tewani Group LLC, who has been in business for 37 years distributing fashion clothing for women.  Kaktus Sportswear is concerned about the environment, and is doing their part in by utilizing sustainable materials and promoting organic clothing.

The photovolatic system was installed by Mercury Solar.

NJMC Center for Environmental and Scientific Education

More people are using New Jersey Meadowlands Commission parks and facilities while the Commission is using less electricity to power its buildings. The positive developments are a result of the Commission’s increased eco-tourism efforts and energy efficiency initiatives.

More than 60,000 people visited NJMC facilities, including DeKorte Park and the Meadowlands Environment Center, in 2009 – a 20 percent spike over 2008. Over the same time frame, the NJMC used nearly 20 percent less electricity to power its administration building.

The Commission achieved a 17-percent energy savings at its administration building in 2009 thanks to several energy-efficient initiatives. These included the installation of motion-sensors that turn off lights in rooms and hallways when no movement is detected after a period of time, the replacement of traditional incandescent and fluorescent lights with more energy-efficient models, and an upgrade of the building’s heating and ventilation system.

The Commission is also projecting a 33 percent cost savings on stationery in 2010 while helping the environment. The NJMC is switching to a less expensive paper stock that includes 30 percent recycled content.

The new stationery is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which ensures that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible and socially beneficial manner.

To read more about how the NJMC has increased energy efficiency, check out the press release here.