Bateman Bill to Minimize State Capitol’s ‘Carbon Footprint’ Advances

Would Reduce Cost of State House’s Large Utility Bill to Taxpayers
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee passed legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman that would require the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to prepare, adopt, and implement an environmental sustainability plan for the State House Capitol Complex.

“When Thomas Edison installed the first light bulbs in our State House, the light represented a new technological advance,” Bateman said. “Now, more than a century later, we’re still using technologies and systems from that era in the State House when newer, cleaner, and more affordable alternatives exist. It’s time that we take steps to minimize our ‘carbon footprint’ and create an eco-friendly State House Capitol Complex.”

The bill, S-2292, would require the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to prepare, adopt, and implement an environmental sustainability plan for the State House Capitol Complex. The plan would be required to include energy savings and efficiency upgrades, water conservation techniques, applicable principles set forth by the United States Green Building Council, the involvement of food services, and methods to reduce the carbon emissions and minimize the State’s “carbon footprint.”
Bateman noted an environmental sustainability plan could drive down future costs of running the State House Capitol Complex.

Research has shown that large buildings “going green” can “save, rather than cost, money.” In 2012, The Commonwealth Fund and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, found that the large hospitals which implemented sustainability plans could see savings of more than $5.4 billion over five years, and upwards of $15 billion over ten years.

“Our State Capitol’s utility bill is paid by all New Jersey taxpayers,” Bateman added. “By ‘going green’ we can save green, showing it’s common sense to find alternatives on how we run and use energy in our State House.”

The bill advanced from committee with a 4-0 vote and next heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations for further consideration.