N.J. towns going green

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CHERRY HILL, N.J. (AP) — This town, with its vast housing developments and miles of shopping centers lining every thoroughfare, was not designed to go easy on the Earth, but that isn't stopping local officials from going green.

Cherry Hill, once desolate farmland and now a bustling Philadelphia suburb of 70,000, is one of the latest examples nationwide of a movement of local governments committing to make environmental issues a priority.

The township is switching to lower-energy traffic lights, offering residents incentives to recycle and considering solar panels on a municipal building.

"For far too long, we have waited for other government agencies to act on these issues," Mayor Bernie Platt told the Township Council before it adopted a plan in March to reduce carbon emissions and waste. "This elected body will act to provide leadership, guidance and immediate action."

Many local governments across New Jersey and the nation are also taking formal steps to go green.

Some examples: Westwood, N.J., is converting its fleet of police cars to gas-saving hybrids. Austin, Texas, is planning to power all city-owned buildings with renewable energy by 2020.