Madison Advances Climate Goals

Annual Report Showcases Tangible Progress and Forward-Looking Initiatives

Madison takes pride in its hard-working Climate Action Committee, which plays a crucial role in setting municipal climate goals aligned with New Jersey state strategies. The committee measures progress toward Madison’s goals and recommends actions the Borough can take to address any gaps.

At Monday’s Council Meeting, the committee presented its annual report, outlining tangible steps taken towards achieving our climate goals. The report highlights Madison’s commitment to municipal leadership in climate action and reflects the administration and governing body’s longstanding approach of planning prudently to address challenges to our infrastructure, community health, and fiscal position.

Many forward-looking initiatives are underway, and progress has been made in several areas as we continue to pursue actions to accelerate the rate of change. As a municipality striving for a 'greener Madison,' we are committed to being accountable and proactive in our climate actions. We track and report our municipal goals annually to gauge our progress toward long-term energy and resiliency goals for our community.

Highlights of Madison’s recent climate actions include:

• Madison Recreation Complex (MRC) Solar Carport: The first solar carport in Madison is expected to begin construction in the coming months. Once completed, it will generate 850,000 kWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 0.6% of Madison's current town-wide consumption.
• Stormwater Management: This year, we adopted a stronger stormwater ordinance and contracted with Rutgers Water Resources Program to conduct a green infrastructure assessment, which included a strategic action plan for municipal properties. As part of this assessment, a demonstration rain garden is being installed at the Madison Public Library and is expected to be completed by November.
• Grid Reliability: In 2024, with the support of a NJBPU Community Energy Planning grant, the council adopted an outline plan to digitize, simulate, and analyze our electric grid to maintain a high level of reliability as demands on our municipal grid grow
• Green Building Policy: On February 9, 2024, Madison Borough Council adopted Resolution 79-2024, requiring the consideration of green building practices for civic, commercial, and residential buildings.
• Municipal Building Electrification: We are working to cut carbon pollution by electrifying municipal buildings through the installation of Air-Source Heat Pumps during renovations or when equipment reaches the end of its life.
• Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs): In 2023, we increased the usage of PEVs in our municipal fleet from 9% to 12.5% of total fleet mileage and continue to explore PEVs as replacements for non-emergency municipal vehicles.

Councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich is proud to announce that Madison has received two Community Energy Plan Implementation (CEPI) grants from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). A $100,000 grant will assist in the installation of Air-Source Heat Pumps at Hartley Dodge Memorial as part of our east-wing renovation project. An additional $100,000 grant was awarded for an all-electric retrofit of the Heller Center (formerly Masonic Lodge) as we begin renovations on the 199-year-old building—the oldest structure in Madison.

Thanks to the dedication of the all-volunteer Climate Action Committee, in partnership with Sustainable Madison and the Madison Environmental Commission, Madison is on a path to reduce our demand for fossil fuels, strengthen our community against the impacts of climate change, and act locally to engage in the clean energy transition.