Jersey City Planning Board to consider city’s climate and energy action plan Tuesday

The Jersey City Planning Board is expected to vote on adding the city’s ambitious climate and energy action plan to its master plan — a decision that would have an impact on major developers in the city.

The city, which is looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, would establish dozens of policies and regulations, including a requirement that all new buildings over 25,000 square feet have solar panels, a green roof or a cool roof.

The 46 measures also include requiring buildings over 25,000 feet to have four parking spaces for electric vehicles and charging stations.

The planning board will view and discuss the 103-page Climate and Energy Action Plan Tuesday at their bi-weekly meeting at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Some of the measures are aimed at developers, while others are the responsibility of the city, like making the municipal fleet 100% electric and increasing street trees by 20% before 2030.

In May, Mayor Steve Fulop said the action plan expands upon the city’s effort in its fight to protect the environment, increase resiliency, invest in a green economy and ensure equity.

“The consequences of climate change disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities, and so it is especially important for Jersey City to continue our aggressive and progressive efforts by incorporating community feedback to address our environment’s worst health offenders,” Fulop said.

The plan focuses on three areas — energy actions, transportation and land use actions, and waste actions. The detailed plan includes a schedule on when each “action” is scheduled to be completed, ranging from one to 10 years.