PSE&G Opens Interactive Energy & Environmental Resource Center

The Public Service Enterprise Group's (NYSE: PEG) Energy & Environmental Resource Center (EERC) opened its environmentally-friendly doors to the public during a grand opening ceremony last week in Salem, N.J.

The center not only generates its own power by using wind and solar, but the 65,000-square-foot EERC also serves an important educational purpose as well.

Educational Center

In fact, about 20,000 square feet of the building are devoted to educating the public on a variety of environmental issues including climate change, energy consumption, renewables, globalization and conservation. Interactive, hands-on exhibits including a high-tech classroom, a multi-purpose room, and wet lab, are all available at no cost to community groups, educators and schools. And part of the educational experience includes a mock containment structure, where visitors learn about nuclear power generation.

Eco-Friendly EERC Facility

90 percent of the construction waste was recycled. Cork flooring was installed and much of the furnishing used recycled content. .The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certified facility was constructed to reduce water consumption by 40 percent and energy use by 25 percent. About 10 percent of the building’s energy is supplied by both wind and solar power. The 75kW photovoltaic solar panel array, located on the roof, and a 2.3kW wind turbine, located on the property, can be monitored by visitors with a real-time data monitoring system. EERC has applied for Gold certification on the public space area.

The state-of-the-art facility also houses offices and the Salem Community College’s (SCC) Nuclear Energy Technology Associates Degree Program. The PSE&G Energy & Environmental Resource Center is open by appointment only.