Sustainable Jersey representatives announced today that Cape May City has once again achieved Sustainable Jersey Silver recertification. Municipalities that earn this certification are considered by their peers, state government, experts, and civic organizations in New Jersey to be among the leading communities in the state. 

Additionally, Cape May City has earned the Sustainability Champion Award for small size population (up to 4,999) municipalities. This award recognizes the municipality that has achieved the highest number of points in this population category. This will be the sixth time that Cape May City has received the Sustainability Champion Award. 

Cape May City was honored at the Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon today in Atlantic City.

“I would like to thank our Green Team, City Council, and City staff who are committed to making Cape May City one of the most sustainable communities in New Jersey” said Mayor Zack Mullock. “This award is a testament to a long term commitment to make the Nation’s Oldest Seashore Resort a model for other communities to emulate.”

All facets of the City contributed to this effort.  City Council adopted ordinances to ban invasive species and create Historic Design standards for energy improvements. The Planning Board adopted the Creative Placemaking Plan as part of the City’s Master Plan and the Environmental Commission played a key role by conducting outreach and education on a number of key issues.

A significant achievement that was highlighted in the Sustainable Jersey application is the rehabilitation of the historic Franklin Street School. This school was vacant and in disrepair for years. Today it is a bustling library and community center.

To become Sustainable Jersey certified at the silver-level, Cape May City submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 350 action points. In addition to reaching 350 points, each community had to create a green team and select at least three out of 12 priority action options. 

“Sustainable Jersey is proud of the New Jersey towns that achieved certification this year,” said Randy Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey. “The Sustainable Jersey certified towns demonstrate leadership and are a testament to how much we can accomplish toward the long-term goal of a sustainable New Jersey.” Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency, health, and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources, and advancing the arts. Collectively, the 460 participating Sustainable Jersey towns are a powerful force in New Jersey.

About Cape May City
Cape May City is located at the southern tip of in New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. One of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations, the City has a year-round population of 3,607, while the summer population expands by as many as 40,000 to 50,000 visitors. The entire city is designated a National Historic Landmark due to its concentration of Victorian buildings. Cape May City has received many accolades including being recognized as one of America's top ten beaches by the Travel Channel and the top ten Best Small Coastal Towns in America by USA Today. 

About Sustainable Jersey
Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Sustainable Jersey’s partners include the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program. Program underwriters include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program, and the Surdna Foundation. The 2017 Sustainable Jersey Grants program for municipalities is funded by PSEG Foundation and the Gardinier Environmental Fund. South Jersey Gas, PSEG and New Jersey Natural Gas are Platinum Sponsors. NJM Insurance Group is a Gold Sponsor, Bayshore Recycling is a Silver Sponsor, and our Bronze Sponsors are Covanta, Greener by Design, Tesla, AT&T and Elizabethtown Gas. The Sustainability Summit venue sponsors are Good Energy, Investors Bank and Church & Dwight.

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