Geoscape claims to be the only company in NJ offering leases for solar, where for no money down, you can get solar panels on your roof and pay at least 25% less than you pay now for electricity (claims from their website). It’s also a good time to buy solar panels, with a rebate from NJ, federal tax credits of 30%, and the Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) you earn by generating electricity.

If you’re interested in generating electricity from the sun at your house, or at your business or church, then this is a great place to get it. If you already have solar electricity, or even solar thermal, please come to share your experiences. We met Jeff at the Earth Day 2010 celebration at the Essex County Environmental Center on April 16. [Disclaimer: Greener Bloomfield does not in any way endorse or recommend Geoscape Solar; we are simply providing information from one of many possible solar providers in NJ.]

[We're also looking for volunteers to help at our table for an hour or two, starting with setup at 9:00. If you'd like to help, please sign up at www.meetup.com/GreenerBloomfield. Thank you!]

Unlimited is a 26 minute documentary about renewable energy and other alternatives to fossil fuels. It also includes global warming and energy experts talking about various promising technologies such as solar, wind and tidal power, transportation and the issue of food as it pertains to energy consumption. Teachers in particular are invited to see it for possible use in the classroom.

After the film discussion, Greener Bloomfield will discuss winter/spring plans.

The first show is a new edition of the award-winning movie, Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America. The film is a solutions-oriented exploration of energy issues and opportunities in the USA, looking at the sources of our electricity and the problems caused by energy production, including mountain top removal, childhood asthma, and global warming. The second film – Unlimited: Renewable Energy in the 21st Century – features a group of passionate 6th graders calling on adults to take action by addressing global warming. In addition, energy experts discuss promising technologies being used right here in New Jersey, such as solar, wind, tidal power, green transportation, and food as it pertains to energy consumption.

In Kilowatt Ours, we will meet individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities who are leading the way by using energy conservation, efficiency and renewable, green power – all while saving money and the environment. This often amusing and always inspiring story shows how anyone can easily make a difference.

Unlimited was produced locally by young Bloomfield filmmaker Daniel Califf Glick, and features Montclair residents as well as a number of local children. Recently completed, the film-maker is happy to premier Unlimited in Montclair, and he will be on-hand to answer questions. Teachers are invited and encouraged to consider it for use in the classroom.

For more information about the Montclair Green Film Series, or any local environmental issues, contact the office of Environmental Affairs at (973) 509-5721. This film series is also sponsored by Community Green. Unlimited will also be shown at the October 29 Greener Bloomfield public meeting with a discussion with the filmmaker.

Bloomfield residents Simone JohnBaptiste (left) and Christine Bruncati discuss their routes before heading out with an allotment of 50 bulbs each for the Project Porchlight giveaway. (Bloomfield Life)

Thirty-five volunteers spread out across Bloomfield on August 15 in sweltering heat, delivering free energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs to 1,650 households as part of a Project Porchlight blitz. That many bulbs will result in $50,000 in energy savings, 544.5 tons CO2 emissions prevented of entering the environment, and 94 cars removed from the road in the form of Green House Gases(GHG)! In addition, 600 individuals signed a pledge to change a standard light bulb to a more energy-efficient one, about half of what’s needed for a Sustainable Jersey challenge (you can still sign our pledge online).

RISING ABOVE THE DIM: Nearly 35 volunteers went door-to-door in town Aug. 15 to distribute free compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, one of many green-based initiatives sponsored by Greener Bloomfield, a local environmental advocacy organization. Above, Greener Bloomfield member Erin Ihde shares a laugh with Clinton Street resident Liz Holleran (along with her son Luke) after receiving a free CFL bulb. (Bloomfield Life)

From Bloomfield Life’s article:

Several township council members made it their mission to spread word of the CFL push. Ever the environmentalist, Councilman Nick Joanow claims practicing sustainability was viewed in a negative light until somewhat recently. Many were labeled as ‘tree huggers’ and ‘river rats,’ he said. ‘Let others know we are in this for the community,’ he told the crowd during a brief orientation at Watchung Presbyterian Church. ‘We’re all in, focused on this issue.’

Mayor Ray McCarthy, also on hand, praised the volunteers’ efforts and what they mean for the community.

For those of you at home, we won’t didn’t get to every neighborhood, but we‘ll did get to quite a few. Please welcome our volunteers warmly. You’ll recognize them from their Project Porchlight t-shirts and the green bags of light bulbs they’ll be carrying. If you have any questions about whether the person at your door is one of our volunteers, please call the Bloomfield Police Desk at 973-680-4100 and give them the volunteer’s name, which they can check against our list. Click for more information on Project Porchlight and the bulbs. And see the article in Bloomfield Life!

Project Porchlight’s Bloomfield Blitz will contribute 10 points toward Sustainable Jersey certification if we can get 1,200 pledges to change a light. You can also sign the pledge at our website!

• A resolution proclaiming August 15 “Project Porchlight Day” to encourage our volunteers and inform the public of our door-to-door distribution of compact fluorescent bulbs and asking residents to sign a change-a-light pledge. (You can still sign up to cover your street or neighborhood!)
• An Anti-Idling Resolution encouraging everyone to shut off their cars if idling for more than 10 seconds, and certainly to follow the state law’s 3 minute idling restriction. It also declares September as “Anti-Idling Month” to target attention and enforcement.
• An Anti-Idling Ordinance that mirrors the state laws and establishes local fines for idling longer than 3 minutes (with a few exceptions).
• A Water Conservation Ordinance to help the Township save water and related fees by limiting outdoor watering to 2 days per week.
• A Sustainable Land Use Pledge, stating the Township’s intention to follow smart growth principles, encourage green building, and update the master plan to encourage sustainable land use practices.

Check back this weekend to view drafts of these initiatives.

What did YOU like best about the Bloomfield Green Fest?