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Mayor Forms Renewable Energy Committee
Volunteers Sought To Investigate Solar, Wind Power In Brick
By Keith Hagarty
Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis is forming a committee to investigate utilizing renewable energy sources in Brick Township. The committee will be charged with investigating the costs and benefits of using alternative energy sources, most notably solar and wind power.
The Mayor's Advisory Committee on Renewable Energy will work to identify municipal facilities that are compatible with renewable energy infrastructure, the cost of initial investment and potential savings, said the mayor.
"This is about finding innovative ways to reduce the costs of government," said Acropolis. "If using renewable energy sources will create savings for taxpayers, I am all for it."
After moving to Brick from his native Arizona about five years ago, resident Justin Marcal is optimistic about Brick looking for alternative energy sources, saying he's seen such use of alternative energy sources utilized throughout the Southwest.
"It's high time we do something here in New Jersey," said Marcal, 58. "We only have one planet, and right now we only have one way of tapping the well so to speak."
While he did not commit to whether he himself would submit a resume for the committee, Marcal said he hopes the initiative opens a healthy discussion on the topic of renewable energy.
"We've heard for so long about the advantages of the sun and solar power. Granted, it's pretty expensive and you need a lot to give you a little bit of power, but there's got to be a better way than what we're all doing," he said. "Wind energy is something I'd really like to know more about. It's worked for thousands of years, harnessing the wind gusts, so there's no reason we can't see what can be done right here at home. If it saves us some money and lessens our dependence on the high costs of energy we're seeing today, then I say let's check everything out we can."
However, seven-year resident Donna Caspianove wonders if it's more talk than anything else.
"We've been hearing about all these grand alternative energy sources for years and years now, whether on TV, magazines, papers, wherever," she said. "I'm all for it, if it can be done, but at the same time, how much is all this going to cost us in the end, and is it going to really be worth it if we can't afford it anyway?"
Ultimately, we owe it to future generations to investigate measures which could lead to a better, more economical and environmentally-friendly energy source for the municipality, according to committee Chairman Lou Ianniello.
Working in the energy industry for a number of years, Ianniello said he has extensive experience with renewable energy production sources, including solar and wind-turbines.
"In keeping up with the changing times, Brick Township recognizes its responsibility to pursue alternative energy resources to replace its dependence on fossil fuels," he said.
Anyone interested in joining the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Renewable Energy, are encouraged to contact Acropolis or Ianniello. To contact Lou Ianniello, call 732-522-4284. Resumes can also be submitted to the mayor's office at 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ, 08723.
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