Community Energy Plan

Montclair Township is committed to advancing a sustainable and resilient energy future by reducing environmental impacts and improving energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy use across municipal operations and the broader community. This commitment is reflected in adopted policies, planning and engineering practices, and ongoing investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at municipal facilities.

A Community Energy Plan (CEP) is a locally tailored roadmap that identifies priority energy goals, strategies, and actions a municipality can pursue to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, generate long-term cost savings for taxpayers, and expand access to clean energy. Montclair's CEP builds on progress already achieved by the Township and the Department of Sustainability and is designed to inform future climate action, capital planning, and sustainability initiatives – all in alignment with State programs and incentives.

Montclair's greenhouse gas emissions are driven largely by three sectors: transportation (48.1%), residential energy use (32.3%), and commercial energy use (16.8%);  together accounting for over 97% of all local emissions. Addressing these sources through practical, implementation-ready strategies is essential to meeting New Jersey's statewide climate goals, including an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050 and 100% clean electricity sales by 2035.

Beyond emissions reductions, the CEP delivers direct community benefits, including improved public health, better air quality indoors and outdoors, more affordable transportation and renewable energy options, increased household and municipal cost savings, and greater energy resilience.

Plan development has included multiple rounds of review and coordination among the Department of Sustainability, the Montclair Environmental Commission, and Township administration. Public input plays an important role in shaping this work. We invite residents and community stakeholders to join us for a stakeholder engagement session on Wednesday, May 6th at 7:30 PM at the Environmental Commission meeting. This is your opportunity to learn more about the Plan and share your feedback before it is finalized.