N.J. Ratepayer Advocate Launches Statewide ‘It’s Cool To Conserve’ Program for Kids To Encourage Energy Conservation

Newark, N.J.—New Jersey Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh today announced she is launching a new statewide “Conservation For Kids,” energy program to educate elementary and middle school students on the importance of energy and water conservation. The theme for the program is ‘It’s Cool to Conserve.’

“In these times of increasing energy and water prices, teaching simple lessons like turning off the lights when you leave the room and turning off the water while brushing your teeth will alert students and teachers how their energy and water usage can be reduced and how they can best preserve our precious natural resources,” said Singh.

Singh is inviting schools throughout the state to participate in the program, which includes an interactive power-point presentation on conservation, a question-and-answer session, and the distribution of energy and water conservation educational materials, including the Ratepayer Advocate’s newly updated free Consumer Conservation Handbook, and “It’s Cool to Conserve” giveaways for students. Students will also be asked to take a pledge to actively encourage conservation efforts at home and at school and participate in a poster contest and quiz. Mount Olive Child Care and Learning Center in Flanders will be the first school to launch the initiative Sept. 30, at a Family Friendly Center after-school program. Lakewood Oak Street School in Lakewood, N.J., will be the next school to participate in the program on November 21.

“There is no doubt that conservation is the key to reducing utility bills, increasing the reliability of service, and protecting the environment for years to come,” said Singh, who is already actively promoting the benefits of conservation among adults. “It is particularly important to begin educating our youth at an early age about our valuable resources and how to conserve them now and forever.”

The Division of the Ratepayer Advocate, is an independent state agency that represents and protects the interests of all utility customers—whenever companies in New Jersey seek changes in their rates or their delivery of natural gas, electric, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable TV services.

Singh is working on this program for students and teachers in conjunction with the School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) in the New Jersey Office of Children’s Services’ Division of Prevention and Community Partnerships in the Department of Human Services. The SBYSP offers support services to schools across the state, including Family Friendly Center after-school sites and Family and Children Early Education Services (FACES) programs for children 0-6. These programs collaborate with schools and community stakeholders to plan and implement health, enrichment and social services that build on existing local services.

“We want our young people to embrace conservation at an early age because it is a character-building endeavor that will not only educate them, but empower them.” said Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner Carla Cooke-Harris. “By learning to use the world’s gifts as wisely as possible, they will be helping to reshape its future – and their own.”

For information on scheduling a presentation for students, contact Ratepayer Advocate Chief of Staff, Kimberly K. Holmes at 973-648-2554. She can also be contacted to schedule free presentations for adults on a variety of consumer-related utility issues, including, “Conserving Energy and Saving Money.” For a free copy of the Consumer Conservation Handbook, call 973-648-2690 or visit the website at www.rpa.state.nj.us..

The Division of the Ratepayer Advocate is an independent state agency that represents the interests of consumers of electric, natural gas, water/sewer and telecommunications and cable TV service. It serves as an active participant in every proceeding whenever New Jersey companies seek changes in rates or services. The Ratepayer Advocate also gives consumers a voice in setting long-range energy, water, and telecommunications policy that will affect the delivery of services well into the future. Additional information on this and other matters can be found at the Division of Ratepayer Advocate’s website at http://www.rpa.state.nj.us.

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