Haas Proposes Energy Audit

Third Ward Councilman Dave Haas proposed during last night's debate on the Sustainable Jersey program that the town take steps to conduct a full scale energy audit.

Haas said the audit, which would calculate the exact energy usage by the town on municipally owned buildings and outline steps for how to cut usage, could fund itself under a state program. The state Board of Public Utilities, a co-sponsor of Sustainable Jersey, will pay for the entire energy audit under two steps. The first step will be funding 75 percent of the cost, with the remaining three quarters of the cost coming after the town adopts the recommendations of the audit.

In the event the state's fiscal woes cause the BPU to cut back on the program, which is currently offered to all 566 municipalities statewide, Westfield would still be eligible for funds. Sustainable Jersey officials have said all of the communities registered with the program would receive priority in energy audit funding requests. Westfield passed a resolution entering the program last night.

Councilman Mark Ciarrocca said that steps have been taken regarding an energy audit. He said Mayor Andy Skibitsky, who could not attend the meeting due to a business trip to Germany, has discussed the issue with the Board of Education, which recently conducted an energy audit. Ciarrocca said the board is providing the mayor with a list of steps used in their audit to allow for a framework for a town audit.

An energy audit could yield monetary savings in the end for the community. Haas cited figures that showed Montclair is saving $100,000 a year from an energy audit they conducted. In addition, conducting an audit would net the town 30 points towards the 100 needed for certification from Sustainable Jersey.