U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez visited one of New Jersey's poster communities for suburban sprawl Thursday to unveil a bill that would create nationwide certification programs to recognize and support environmental friendliness.

The Hudson County Democrat, speaking in Cherry Hill, said he would introduce the Sustainable States Act when lawmakers return for their next session after Labor Day.

Menendez said he chose Cherry Hill for his announcement because the city has made strides with environmental stewardship.

The act would allocate $4 million in federal funding to create programs similar to New Jersey's Sustainable Jersey program, which provides certification for cities that want to "go green." An additional $1 million would go toward advancing the initiatives of top performers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would administer the funds, with 20 states receiving money.

The Sustainable States Act calls for states to create their own certification benchmarks reflecting regional challenges and differences.

"We know that what is true for New Jersey isn't necessarily true for Kentucky or Arkansas or other places in the nation," Menendez said, noting that many of his colleagues in Washington are wary of federal involvement.

Sustainable Jersey is a nongovernment group that has certified 74 New Jersey municipalities, including Cherry Hill, since launching in 2009.

Benchmarks for certification include eco-friendly actions such as starting environmental-education programs for residents, retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency, and buying hybrid vehicles for government auto fleets.

Cherry Hill earned Sustainable Jersey "bronze level" certification in 2009, earning 150 points on a scale of 350. The city is working to achieve "silver" certification - requiring the maximum 350 points - with efforts that include energy audits at all municipal buildings, increased recycling efforts, and steps to create a greener fleet of government vehicles.

Menendez said that this is the time to invest nationwide in programs like Sustainable Jersey, despite financial woes for the federal government and rancorous political debates over spending.

The first-term senator, who served 13 years in the House, said he expected bipartisan support for his proposal, stating that sustainability efforts give cash-strapped governments a chance to do the right thing while saving money in the long run.

Michael Hagarty, director of project management for Camden County, said the up-front costs of building green typically run about 10 percent higher than traditional methods, but the added expenses pay off with lower utility bills.

Camden County is on track to pay for the extra cost of going green at its environmental center in Cherry Hill - the backdrop for Menendez's announcement - in less than five years, Hagarty said.

The facility's environmentally friendly features include solar panels, skylights for natural lighting, rain collectors that provide toilet water, elements that prevent runoff water such as porous pavement, and a garden roof.

The center houses Camden County parks employees, an environmental educator, staff from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and Master Gardener volunteers.

Menendez's bill calls on the EPA to encourage state and local certification standards that are stricter than federal guidelines. It also pushes for the development of public-private partnerships that would carry participating sustainability programs after the federal grants expire.

Menendez made his announcement Thursday alongside several New Jersey politicians, including Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr., Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt, and former Maplewood Mayor Fred Profeta, who founded Sustainable New Jersey with help from environmental advocates and civic leaders.

Lori Braunstein, director of Sustainable Cherry Hill, spoke in support of the bill, suggesting it would provide much-needed tools for groups and governments trying to foster sustainability.

Braunstein said after the news conference that Cherry Hill stands as a cautionary tale for city planners due to its lack of density and walkability.

"We are the epitome of what not to do," she said. "We are suburban sprawl."