Lawrence Township Will Get 2 New Electric Garbage Trucks

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) recently announced that Lawrence Township will get funds for two new electric garbage trucks.

The funds come from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

The state announced $70 million for municipalities, schools and companies to purchase new electric vehicles and electric equipment.

As part of Lawrence’s sustainability program, the township applied for funds for new electric garbage trucks, Municipal Manager Kevin Nerwinksi told Patch.

The township must now look at funding the charging stations which can cost up to $275,000. However, Lawrence will not be using taxpayer money for installing the charging stations, and is looking for grant sources to fund it, Nerwinski said.

“Our town is committed to seizing upon any reasonable opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint and move our municipal operations towards alternate energy sources,” Nerwinski said.

Currently, there’s no time frame as to when the electric garbage trucks will be delivered or operational in the township.

The $70 million recently announced by the state will fund the purchase of 156 electric vehicles, including 114 school buses, eight garbage and dump trucks, 26 shuttle and transit buses, and four forklifts.

The Economic Development Authority announced it will be holding a series of session in April for public comments on possible investments for future RGGI funds.

RGGI is a cap-and-trade pact among 11 northeastern states dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state invests its RGGI auction proceeds in programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, drive forward projects that boost clean energy and create jobs, protect the health of residents in environmental justice communities, and increase the resiliency of coastal communities.

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