A look at Newark’s sustainability plan

Like many cities, Newark strives to be sustainable. In 2017, the city’s Sustainability Planning Steering Committee was created, comprised of a cross section of representatives from government bodies, civic organizations and residents with, as it says in a recent press release, “a common goal of creating a socially fair, economically strong, and environmentally healthy place to live, work, and play.”

On Oct. 8, Newark’s Conservation Advisory Committee reviewed the long-term plan it designed, Sustainable Newark, and unanimously recommended that Council “adopt and embrace” its goals and action items.

Goals, as worded in the plan, include:

• To use renewable generation resources for its distributed electricity mix of at least 30% by 2025, 65% by 2035, and 100% as soon as practicable but no later than 2045
• To facilitate innovative pilot renewable energy projects such as community solar and other developing renewable energy and energy storage technologies
• To support a car-free lifestyle
• To reduce its transportation GHG footprint and embraces the transition to clean transportation options for its own operations, its residents, and businesses
• To requires all new investments in building and land development to use the latest sustainable design strategies
• To use less water each year compared to the prior year through 2025

On Oct. 17, the City of Newark will hold a public workshop for members of the community at the the City Council Chamber to discuss the plan’s recommendations with City staff and steering committee members. The workshop will be in a “drop-in” style, where people may come and go during the event from 4 to 6 p.m. Community members can also stop in to see exhibits providing an overview of the sustainability plan.

The final vote will happen after a discussion at the Newark City Council’s Nov. 11 meeting.