Ridgewood January 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Homeowners are invited to learn how to obtain New Jersey Clean Energy funds to help offset the costs of making energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Clean energy expert “Eco” Ed Schwartz will present this informative talk at the Ridgewood Library Auditorium, 125 North Maple Avenue in Ridgewood, on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Schwartz is chairperson of Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee and co-founder of Green Living Solutions, a Century Award winner within the Clean Energy Program. He will speak about energy use, energy savings approaches, and how to make the dollars spent on utilities go farther. He will also explain how to take advantage of the significant subsidies that are currently available to New Jersey homeowners. Energy efficiency funds available to local homeowners Energy costs are higher than ever, and eat up an everincreasing percentage of household income. In addition, the associated pollution and carbon emissions are damaging the environment. The creation of electricity, solar panels, dependence on foreign oil, coal-fired plants, natural gas drilling, and nuclear plants are all under discussion. But which options are safest for the environment? In Washington, DC, this battle is often won by the companies with the deepest pockets, which does not necessarily coincide with protecting water, air, or even pocketbooks. The one area that everyone agrees upon is that increasing the efficiency of how energy is used is the greatest opportunity for this nation. Our homes and the vehicles we drive are the two areas in which efficiency improvements can make the greatest strides toward this common goal. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program has stepped up to help state residents improve their home energy efficiency and reduce their energy costs. By encouraging home energy audits with certified partners, this helps to ensure that improvements are made with an eye toward health and safety issues that are normally overlooked when homeowners simply install additional insulation. To spread awareness of these programs, the Glen Rock Environmental Commission is sponsoring an event to provide local residents with information on how they can get up to $5,000 along with 0% interest loans up to $10,000 to help offset the costs of these energy efficiency improvements. Registration for the upcoming program is recommended but not required. To register, please send your name, address, and e-mail address to thegazda5@aol.com.