Title
Dept/ Agency: Administration/Office of Business Administrator
Action: ( x ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Application/Acceptance for Grant Funds
Purpose: To Apply/Accept the Sustainable Jersey-PSEG Partnership Program Staffing and Community Engagement Grant that will support the hiring of a Clean Energy Coordinator.
Entity Name: Sustainable Jersey
Entity Address: P.O. Box 6855, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08684
Grant Amount: $25,000
City Contribution: $ 0
Grant Period: May 2, 2025 to December 31, 2026
Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor ( ) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS
( ) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP ( ) RFQ
( ) Private Sale ( X ) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a
Additional Information:
A Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Partnership Program Staffing & Community Engagement Grant provides funding that helps local governments make progress toward reducing the community’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by educating residents about potential energy and cost savings, and increasing participation in PSE&G’s residential and commercial energy assessments and energy efficiency programs.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Newark (“City”) desires to participate in the Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Staffing & Community Engagement Grant Program (“Program”); and
WHEREAS, on or about March 26, 2025, on behalf of the City, the Office of Sustainability applied to the Program requesting grant funds in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00) (a copy of the application is attached hereto and made a part hereof); and
WHEREAS, as a result of this application, on June 10, 2025, the City was awarded a grant in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00) for an 18 month period beginning July 1, 2025 and terminating on January 1, 2027 (a copy of the award letter is attached hereto and made a part hereof); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Grant (the "Grant") is to maintain a strong, consistent presence in the community through outreach/event staffing and leveraging community partnerships in planning and implementing an energy efficiency outreach campaign, as described in the City’s approved Application; and
WHEREAS, the City will utilize the Grant to hire a Clean Energy Coordinator for energy outreach, project development, and initiation of clean energy programs in the City; and
WHEREAS, the Grant will support the development of the City’s citywide equitable clean energy transition strategy, increasing building energy efficiency and electrification of buildings and vehicles; expanding the use of and access to renewable energy; developing community focused solutions mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build community resilience to climate change; and
WHEREAS, the Grant will fund the Clean Energy Coordinator, who will work under the supervision of the Chief Sustainability Officer to coordinate between the Office of Sustainability, City departments, and external partners. The Grant Funds will also support the Office of Sustainability with clean energy initiatives to create a more sustainable and resilient community that protects the natural environment while still promoting sustainable economic growth and addressing the environmental justice (EJ) needs of communities.
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor of the City of Newark (“City”), and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, is authorized to submit an application to Sustainable Jersey, for grant funding in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00) from the Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Staffing & Community Engagement Grant Program (“Program”), which offers funding to make progress toward reducing the community’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
2. The Municipal Council ratifies its authorization of this Application from the date of the Application submission to the date of this authorizing Resolution.
3. As a result of the Application, the Program has awarded the City a grant in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00), which is hereby accepted (a copy of the award letter is attached hereto and made a part hereof).
4. The Mayor of the City and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, is hereby authorized to enter into and execute the award agreement with the Program and receive and expend the Grant Award in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000), and receive and expend the Grant Award from the Program for the period commencing on July 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026.
5. The Municipal Council hereby ratifies the acceptance of the Grant and execution of the Agreement from June 10, 2025 to the date of adoption of this authorizing Resolution.
6. No municipal funds are required for Application or acceptance of this Grant Award.
7. The Business Administrator shall file a fully executed copy of the grant Application, and Grant Agreement in the Office of the City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This Resolution ratifies and authorizes the Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, to apply for and accept grant funds in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($25,000.00) for the Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Partnership Program Staffing & Community Engagement Grant Program, which provides funding to make progress toward reducing the community’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, for the period commencing on July 1, 2025 terminating January 1, 2026. No Municipal funds are required for application or acceptance of this award.