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October 24, 2024

Conference Connections 

Session Spotlight: Environmental Issues 

Stormwater Management, Electric Vehicles, Recycling, Proposed DEP REAL rules, and Sustainability are just a few of the League Conference Sessions focused on the environment. The sessions below will help you plan, learn best practices, and determine what emerging topics will affect your community. For CEU and speaker information, please visit the Conference website or download the Conference app.     

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Climate Change Related Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (Room 420)  

Climate science is no longer just a buzzword, it’s a requirement. On February 4, 2021, Governor Murphy signed into law P.L. 2021, c6, amending the MLUL. Municipalities are now required to incorporate a climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment into any Master Plan Land Use Element. We will explore this newly required analysis of your master plan. CEUs are free to NJPO members; non-members all-inclusive conference fee is $55. Courses require NJPO and League Conference registrations. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. What Does Clean Transportation Mean for My Community? (Room 308) 

Clean Transportation is not just about converting government fleets to zero-emission vehicles. Clean Transportation options can include providing charging stations for residents, engaging E-Mobility options, creating safe bike and walking paths, and working with local businesses to encourage zero-emissions options. Learn about how to think creatively about Clean Transportation options. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Trash Talk: Strategies for Effective Litter Campaigns (Room 401) 

Attendees will leave the seminar with a strong understanding of the mission, direction, and goals of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, while also learning best practices for fighting litter in their communities with the support of annual Clean Communities funding. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Food Waste Ripe for Change (Room 421) 

Food waste is a major contributor to GHG emissions. The session will review existing and potential regulations, explain current options for collecting and processing municipal food waste, and highlight lessons learned from municipal and school food waste initiatives. 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Sustainability Through Green Procurement (Room 315) 

Join GPANJ to discuss advancing waste reduction and recycling through green procurement. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Sustainable Jersey New Actions & Initiatives (Room 421) 

Highlighting new Sustainable Jersey resources, technical assistance and grant opportunities, and general program updates. 

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Strategies for Reducing Waste & Building Sustainable Communities (Room 420) 

Waste reduction is the top priority in EPA’s National Materials Management Hierarchy and must play an important role in combating climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transportation, and disposal of goods. 

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Integrating Electric Vehicles into Municipal Fleets (Room 421) 

Electric vehicles (EVs) are available in multiple vehicle classes to serve numerous municipal needs. Highlights municipal efforts to adopt electric vehicles in the medium and heavy-duty (MHD) class to provide insights into the options available and considerations of charging infrastructure. 

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. More to Recycling than Curbside Collections (Room 308) 

A lively discussion between the public and private sectors, in partnership with the Association of NJ Recyclers. highlighting recycling efforts outside of the curb. Topics include Organic and Solar Panel recycling, a current Commodity Market Update, and unique method of capturing litter in our streams to prevent debris from entering our watersheds. 

1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. NJ Renewable & Energy Efficiency Programs for Municipalities (Room 308) 

This session is produced by New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and is open to all conference attendees. Learn how municipalities can receive a free energy audit and use energy efficiency incentive programs to improve their facilities in new construction and major renovation projects. Discover how to implement renewable energy technologies and enhance building resiliency. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 2023 MS4 Stormwater Permit Changes (Room 316) 

APWANJ helping public works departments understand and comply with the 2023 MS4 Stormwater Permit changes. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Community Solar: Make Your Town Solar Friendly (Room 420) 

Updates to the Community Solar Program, including the municipal role in the automatic enrollment process, and an overview of what's new in solar. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. NJ Interagency Council on Climate Resilience Listening Session (Room 308) 

The New Jersey Interagency Council on Climate Resilience works to develop short- and long-term action plans that will promote the mitigation, adaptation, and resilience of New Jersey’s economy, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. Join this interactive learning session to better understand the Interagency Council’s activities to date and learn about what’s on the horizon. 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Stormwater Regulations' Impact on Daily Public Works Operations (Room 316) 

APWANJ aiding municipal public works departments with the management of their day-to-day activities as they relate to stormwater regulation compliance. How public works functions plays a role in stormwater management. 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Boosting the Benefits of Your Municipal Tree Canopy (Room 421) 

Your community’s trees are among its chief assets. With proper investment, they will provide sustainable economic, environmental, health, and other life-enhancing benefits. Guidance and resources for municipalities on how to enhance and sustain the benefits of trees in your community. 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. NJPACT Resilient Environments & Landscapes (REAL) (Room 322) 

REAL is part of the NJ Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) initiative. Learn how REAL’s amendments to existing land resource protection rules will bolster our resilience to the impacts of climate change and address sea-level rise, coastal storm surge, flooding, and stormwater management concerns while improving water quality, protecting natural resources, and streamlining the permit process. 

Thursday, November 21, 2024 

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Power of a Plan: Navigating Community Energy Planning Initiatives (Room 421) 

Reviewing initiatives of the Community Energy Planning Grant, highlighting strategies in transportation, renewables, energy efficiency, energy equity, and more. Attendees will learn best practices for translating community energy priorities and objectives into a comprehensive plan that outlines specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities. 

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Where Should Development & Conservation Projects Be Located? (Room 417) 

Learn about a new tool developed by the OPA and Rowan University. This new, Beta version of NJ’s Smart Growth Explorer provides data from agencies across the state in one place to help counties, municipalities, and developers make decisions on where to locate development and conservation projects. The Explorer will help users understand indicators that will inform better decision-making. 

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Stormwater Management: The New MS4 Frontier (Room 420) 

Guidance on components of the 2023 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements, including review of current timelines for ordinances and mapping, as well as enhanced approaches.