Today's update looks mainly at recent developments by NJ's green non-profit groups and educational institutions -- as a result of my scanning roughly 150 of the websites listed in my LINKS section. My goal was to apprise you of developments since my last post on the subject: 1/8/09. Note that the LINKS section contains many other categories on NJ green organizations.

(I've also updated the NJ Green Calendar with several dozen more events occurring in the next few months.)

Energy-NJ Conference. The Jersey Shore Partnership is promoting a conference for Feb 20 at the Sheraton Eatontown, titled: "Powering the Coast: Energy and Job Creation Opportunities for NJ." This is not an entirely green event, but worth a look because it offers a very high quality lineup of speakers. Topics include energy alternatives, developing off-shore wind, tidal energy, NJ's Energy Master Plan, grant programs for business & government, solar power, and others.

Wasteshed (not "Watershed"). Rutgers is highlighting that on January 30 it will co-host a Wasteshed Creation Forum. The Hyatt Regency Princeton and the Solid Waste Resource Renewal Group (SWRRG) at the Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station will sponsor NJ's first wasteshed creation forum. The event, which is free, will help food waste generators or governmental bodies to create cost-effective food waste recycling routes.

LNG (Liquified Natural Gas). Clean Ocean Action is urging citizens to "Stop Insanity Island," the "massive man-made industrial island for LNG facility planned of NY/NJ coast -- Groups to plan action for upcoming hearing." The US Coast Guard and US Maritime Administration are hosting two public meetings, one on Jan 27 in Eatontown, NJ and a second on Jan 29 in Long Beach, NY to begin scoping for an environmental impact statement. Clean Ocean Action's press release states, "The project is an abomination to our ocean and threatens American energy independence, our environment, our wallets, and our way of life .... [T]he island will require 14 million tons of fill -- 10 times the volume of the Empire State Building and destroy marine habitat and kill marine life..."

Environment NJ has released a report titled Clean Energy, Bright Future: Rebuilding America through Green Infrastructure, which estimates the enormous environmental and economic benefits of $142 billion in investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. Environment NJ emailed the report, but I'm not yet seeing it on the website -- contact aevans [at] environmentnewjersey.org.

"Stop the [Power] Lines" -- A coalition of four NJ environment groups has formed to defeat PSE&G's attempt to build power line through the important and sensitive NJ Highlands. Among the most disconcerting points, the power lines will have the ability to supply NJ with more "killer coal" power from Pennsylvania. The climate impact of carbon emissions will significantly impact our home state, according to an EPA report last week.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary "was among 16 organizations to receive grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on Jan 13.... [which ultimately] will result in a $145,000 investment in two promising projects: the Alliance for Comprehensive Ecosystem Solutions and the Delaware Estuary Living Shoreline Initiative. An additional $50,000 was awarded to teh Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Task Force...."

Advocacy Training. The Great Swamp Watershed Association (in Morris County) has announced its schedule of meetings to coach local citizens on how to become an effective advocate for improvement in their community. Meetings will be on Jan 22, Feb 25, March 26, Apr 30.

Green Jobs. The "Retire Garrett" organization, which opposes NJ Congressman Garrett on many counts, picketed his Glen Rock office in a call for him to support "New Jobs ... Green Jobs." Comment: I've written that "The Single Most Effective Way to Green NJ...is to remove Rep. Scott Garrett from the NJ Congressional Delegation in 2010."

Delaware Riverkeeper published a press release highlighting the preservation of 400-acre Petty's Island in the Delaware River Estuary. "Because the island will become a preserved green oasis in an urban area, Roy Jones, South Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, sees a bright future for Camden and Pennsauken residents, particularly the children...."

Hackensack Riverkeeper has published "A Citizen's Guide to Protecting the Hackensack River's Category One Waterways." It has also published an extensive 2009 calendar of events.


Newsletters. (I'm highlighting the new ones as I see them)

• Green Party of NJ - January Bulletin. Green Party registration climbing in NJ; Green Party of Camden County plans to fun a full slate in November; Steps to revive the Middlesex County Green Party; other developments.
• Sierra Club - NJ. Apologies for not blogging it sooner, but the Jan-March '09 issue of The Jersey Sierran covers a remarkable range of NJ green issues in some depth.
• The Great Swamp Watershed Association's Winter Newsletter highlights its '09 educational program and other issues.
  

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