Relevant

Lancaster: Save it! is a campaign sponsored by the City of Lancaster in partnership with LIVE Green with a new website...www.saveitlancaster.org...which is intended to serve as a community resource to help residents and commercial property owners conserve water, prevent pollution and encourage efforts to “soak it up” using various forms of green infrastructure. Information is presented along a continuum of effort from low to high in terms of time and cost. Everyone can do something to “save it.” Please visit the site and share it with your neighbors and friends...www.saveitlancaster.org.

Harrisburg: On Friday, April 20, 2012, the Green Building Council of Central PA presents "Current Best Practices and Future Trends in Green Building" from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the Green Center of Central PA, 1426 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.  Fee of $5 for members and $10 for non-members includes lunch.

This discussion will focus on the building industry’s current and future plans to reduce building energy use with a presentation of case studies for the regions highest performing buildings.

Mark Purcell of IMC construction will be discussing new industry standards for buildings and what industry professionals will need to know to remain competitive in the green building market.  Scott Kelly of Re:Vision Architecture will talk about a few of the regions greenest projects with an emphasis on LEED Platinum and net zero energy buildings. Attendees of this presentation will learn the why, what and how of high performing green buildings and will offer inspiration and guidance for both novices and experts.

Lancaster: LIVE Green presents its "ComposTumbler Spring Workshop" on Saturday March 31, 2012 at 9:00 am at the Lancaster Environmental Center, Lancaster County Park.  Fee of $150 includes a ComposTumbler normally priced at $240.

The backyard ComposTumbler Makes Compost in 4-6 Weeks! If you have a city property or a very small yard, this little composter was designed just for you. The frame includes two wheels so you can take the compost right to your flower beds and garden areas. You can add to it each day for continuous composting.

The workshop will feature Park naturalist and compost expert Lisa Sanchez who will teach the basics of composting. ComposTumbler a Lancaster owned business will also be on hand to demonstrate the set-up of this easy to use convenient product.

The benefits of composting yard and food waste are...

• Reduce waste sent to landfill.
• Reuse organic materials.
• Recycle natural nutrients.
• Improve soil without chemicals.
• Produce rich humus for plants.
• Save money on chemical fertilizers.
• Reduce clogging of sewage systems

Lancaster: Join the Lancaster County Conservancy for two upcoming public meetings to share ideas and comments on plans for the new Lancaster Urban Forest Center.  Two public meetings have been scheduled to present the master plan for the Center and to encourage public ideas and comments on the plan. The meetings are..

• Monday, February 27 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Grace Baptist Church, Marietta and Farmingdale, East Hempfield
• Saturday, March 10 from  9:00 – 11:00 am at the James Street Mennonite Church, 323 West James Street, Lancaster

The public is urged to attend one of these meetings to learn more about the project and provide ideas to make this a project that truly reflects the needs and desires of the community. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by March 7, 2012 if you plan on attending the March 10, 2012 meeting.  For additional information or to RSVP, contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (717) 392-7891.

The Conservancy vision for the Center includes expanding trails and outdoor activities for youth, families, groups and schools. The proposal includes creating garden areas, outdoor classrooms, playscapes and buildings for environmental and outdoor education and training, meetings and many other activities. The plan calls for five activity centers including a Public Engagement Center, Conservation Center, Nature Learning Center, Collaboration Center, and a Nature Stewardship Center.

Harrisburg (reported in CPBJ Online on February 6, 2012): The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded about $1.65 million in grants to midstate municipalities, conservation groups and others for watershed protection projects, according to a department news release.

Two of the largest are $369,500 to the Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Lancaster County for Conowingo Creek improvement and $364,548 to Palmyra in Lebanon County for stormwater work in the Swatara Creek watershed, the release stated.  The awards are part of 73 grants statewide for watershed improvements, stormwater runoff, acid mine drainage, educational programs and other efforts, according to the release.

Elizabethtown: One of the key partners of the Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy is the Central PA Chapter of the United States Green Building Council.  The mission of the USGBC is to promote environmentally responsible design, planning, construction, and operation of the built environment through education, outreach and networking. its vision is Green Buildings for all. Membership is open to anyone who supports this mission and vision. Click here for an information sheet and membership information.

Local Membership Benefits include...

• Opportunities to network with industry leaders throughout the entire Central Pennsylvania region
• Increased visibility by association with publicly viewable projects in our Green Projects Directory
• A publicly searchable member profile on the website
• Access to numerous USGBC-CENTRAL PA educational resources
• Engage in activities that enable you to have a “Hands on” local impact
• Opportunities to attend USGBC-CENTRAL PA leadership and industry training • Exclusive membership offerings & discounts on local programs
• Ability to shape the future by voting on USGBC-CENTRAL PA issues and serving on Chapter committees

Save the Date for GreenCon: 2012 Green Building Conference and Expo on March 15, 2012 at Messiah College.  Click here for a Save the Date card and here for more information on sponsorships and regarding exhibiting.  Click here for a registration form.

Washington, DC: The innovative development of renewable energy on brownfields and other contaminated properties is bringing a host of benefits to communities around the country, including new jobs, new sources of energy and income, and the beneficial reuse of otherwise idle properties. Because local governments are uniquely situated to encourage the growth of these projects, the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP) has released a primer entitled Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields: A Nuts and Bolts Primer for Local Governments to aid local governments in investigating whether renewable energy development may be the right choice for brownfields in their communities. Click here for a downloadable copy of the primer.

This primer offers local governments a starting point for considering whether (and what) renewable energy facilities may be appropriate for local brownfield sites. It includes an overview of renewable energy options, tools for navigating the economic issues that determine project feasibility, information on the permitting, zoning, liability and other regulatory issues that affect the development of renewable energy projects on these sites, and suggestions for ways to promote the development of renewable energy on brownfield sites. Case examples, presented throughout the primer, demonstrate the success of existing policies and renewable energy projects operating on brownfields. The primer’s appendix provides a list of resources for more information on developing a renewable energy project on a brownfield.

“Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields highlights opportunities for creating more resilient communities by incorporating renewable energy as a redevelopment strategy for brownfields,” said Chris Bird, Director of Alachua County, Florida’s Environmental Protection Department and Chair of NALGEP’s Board of Directors. “Local governments will find it a useful and accessible primer for recognizing and pursuing these opportunities.”

Annapolis, MD: On September 8, 2011, the Manure-to-Energy Summit was hosted, by the Chesapeake Bay Commission, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Technology Development Corporation, and Farm Pilot Project Coordination, Inc. The summit was made possible through generous sponsorship from the Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program.  Click here for a dowloadable copy of the report.

This report presents the policy options for the Chesapeake Bay region that came out of the event. The Summit emphasized the triple benefits that manure-to-energy projects can offer — producing renewable energy, sustaining profitable farms, and improving water quality — while directing attention to policy changes that can create more of these projects in the Bay region.

The policy options contained in this report do not reflect the positions of any one partner or sponsor, but rather present a suite of possible actions identified by technology vendors, farmers, non-governmental organizations, academics, and government officials. These ideas were raised during the research phase of this project and further clarified by the 143 experts attending the summit.

York: MANTEC, the Industrial Resource Center for Central Pennsylvania, has the resources to assist manufacturers in all facets of ISO14001 implementation.

• Determine the requirements of the ISO 14001 international standard for EMS

• Provide guidance on how to conform to these requirements

• Train employees to audit the system to the Standard on a regularly scheduled basis

• Prepare for the third-party certification audit for independent verification of the Standard

Lancaster: On October 18, 2011 at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd. in Lancaster, the Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy sponsored a morning of activities to inform the industry in Lancaster County about a variety of programs and issues.

First, the morning kicked off with a briefing on support for renewable energy projects from PPL Electric Utilities.  The program featuried John Kucher from PPL .

For the rest of the morning, the topic turned to Continuing the Conversation with Municipal Officials, a Symposium on the issues related to bringing renewable energy projects into local municipalities.  Tom Eldon, Vice-Chair of the Center, and Branch Manager of United Electric Supply in Lancaster, moderated the morning session.  A panel consisting of Mike McCaskey, The Energy Works; Matt Caplinger, Haller Enterprises; Randy Hess, Hess Home Builders; and Jay Carlis, Community Energy addressed the problem from the point of view of the industry.  Another panel that included Scott Russell, East Hempfield Township and Rettew Associates; Joellyn Warren, West Lampeter Township; and Andrew Bowman, Manheim Township answered from the standpoint of local municipal officials.  There continues to be issues in reconciling local policies with the PA Uniformed Construction Code.  The industry complains about the idiocyncracies of local regulation and enforcement; local municipalities cite local perogative.

Attorny Dwight Yoder from Gibble, Kraybill, and Hess LLP and Brad Stewart from the Lancaster County Planning Commission addressed the conflict in their presentations on Developing and Implementing Appropriate Ordinances.  A final panel brought back earlier presenters to talk about The Common Sense of Permitting and Fee Schedules.  See the link on the name of the individual presenter above for their presentation if available.

Join the Center for its next quarterly breakfast in 2012.

Lancaster: Join the Lebanon and Lancaster County Conservation Districts for their 9th Annual Lebanon/Lancaster County Watershed Forum on October 29, 2011 from 9:00-noon at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd. in Lancaster.  Click here for a downloadable flyer.

Presentations include...

• A Perspective From The Bay: Christian Canby, a waterman from Rock Creek, MD will discuss how our actions here in Pennsylvania affect the livelihood of those who depend on the waters of the Bay. Christian’s discussion will include aspects of his life on the Bay and the impacts of changing water quality conditions.
• Working with the Amish community: John Shuman, President and Pat Fasano, Secretary, Octoraro Watershed Association
• Low Cost Water Quality Improvement: Fran Reining, President, Friends of Fishing Creek Watershed Association
• Chesapeake bay clean water initiatives: Lebanon County Clean Water Alliance and Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium

No cost to attend but registration is required! Please register by calling Lancaster County Conservation District at 717-299-5361 ext. 124 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Lebanon County Conservation District at 717-272-3908 ext. 4 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Lancaster: Join the Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium for the next program in its 2011 Educational Series, entitled Implementation of MS4s Throughout the County, which will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 from 7:30—11:30 am at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd. in Lancaster.  3.0 professional development hours will be offered for engineers.  Click here for a downloadable flyer.

Topics include...

• Municipal Roundtable
• 30 Years of Successful Infiltration Projects in Karst Geology
• Environmental Design
• Model Conservation Zoning District and Natural Resource Protection Standards

Fee of $40 includes buffet breakfast.  Checks should be made payable to: Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium.  Mail checks along with the names of individuals attending to: Paula Harnish, LCCD, Attn: Stormwater, The Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd, Rm 200, Lancaster PA 17601.

Eligible applicants include for-profit entities that employ less than 100 people. In order to receive a grant, the proposed upgrade must save the company at least 25 percent annually on the related operating costs plus an additional $1,000. Previously funded projects include a wide array of upgrades such as lighting, HVAC, and transportation.

The full application is available here, explaining all eligibility requirements and steps in the application process. Applications are due August 29, 2011.

Lititz: Moravian Manor, an Engaging Community Program, presents John Hofmeister, former President/CEO of Shell Oil Company, speaking on "Energy Solutions That Make Sense – Taking Politics Out of Energy" on Monday, October 24, 2011 at Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster.  VIP Reception and Book Signing at 6 PM and Dinner at 7:15 PM.  The program is co-sponsored by the Lancaster County Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy.

Come hear “straight talk” from the energy insider himself, John Hofmeister, former President/CEO of Shell Oil. Considered one of the nation’s leading experts on today’s critical global energy challenges, Hofmeister has made appearances on CNN, CBS, NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, FOX “Cavuto” , The Today Show, BBC HardTalk, and many others.

"The U.S. has more energy than it will ever need. Yet the American people are led to believe that the nation faces the potential of running out of traditional forms of energy. There are solutions that are pragmatic, comprehensive and doable. The nation can put itself on a path to a new energy system for the 21st century in real time, if we choose to do so."

Washington, DC: How do electricity markets in Northeast-Midwest region states compare to those in other states, and why? The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) routinely collects, analyzes, and disseminates a wide range of energy-related information for the nation. This abundant state-by-state information is vital for industry decision makers, policymakers, analysts, and the general public to understand, predict, and plan for changing U.S. electricity markets. However, further analysis and explanation is required to provide a regional view, which is so critical to energy policy and planning.  For a downloadable copy of the recent report, click here.

This Note to the Coalitions identifies and explains trends in electricity generation, price, and emissions in the Northeast and Midwest. Although individual states’ energy capacity and generation varies, we detect strong regional patterns in electricity retail prices and emissions. High prices in the Northeast are attributable to multiple factors: primary fuel type and gas prices; the impact of Regional Transmission Organizations/Independent System Operators; and state regulatory policies.

With respect to emissions, NEMW states are located at both the highest and lowest ends of the SO2, NOx, and CO2 emissions rankings. Northeastern states Rhode Island and Vermont, for example, consistently rank among the lowest emitters; Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio are some of the highest. Differences in emissions can generally be explained by differences in primary fuel types and pollution control equipment.

Lancaster:  This is a letter from Kary who recently finished the Building Analyst training program with Tamasin Sterner and Larry Armanda from Pure Energy Coach LLC.

Good morning, Tamasin.

I wish to send a note of thanks for all your effort in teaching Building Science these past 2 weeks. There were many things that I had wondered and thought about pertaining to houses prior to taking this course but did not have a thorough understanding to know what was happening within the building. Many of the concepts you taught were new and eye-opening to me. Thanks to you and Larry, I now have a much better picture of how the individual components of a house work together or against each other as a unit.

I was able to talk with Larry and Michelle in the lobby following the test and thank them personally. I regret that due to the restrictions in the testing room I was not able to do that with you. This "Thank You" goes to you.

I am also happy to report my score of 95 on the test, due in no small part to the terrific job you and Larry did in teaching, presentations, and preparing us for the test. I am looking forward with anticipation where I might apply this new knowledge in the field.

Thanks again to both of you, and to your continuing dedication to the pursuit of Building Science.

My learning experience taking the Building Analyst course is LIFE-CHANGING, both professionally and personally.  Thank-you Tamasin and Larry! 

I started the course with only a background in frustrations - the last few years financially draining us with oil and electric bills, and a dangerous propane heater, then losing employment.  The overall frustration and disheartening knowledge that things are "not right" in our home and this is contributing to the quality of health for both our children.  Our daughter has asthma and multiple environmental/food allergies.  She has a bloody nose on almost a daily basis September-April.  In the winter,colds create extra mucous which combined with contaminants and allergens in the air cause her difficulty eliminating that mess from her lungs.

Something had to change, but I didn't know which direction to start with this house.  Also, being unemployed I'm embarrassed to say I put my children's health temporarily on the back burner.  Then, through my local CareerLink, I bumped into the opportunity to take the Building Analyst class, I did not know which direction it would take me, yet quickly realized that this experience was the path I needed.

Washington, DC:  More than 70 individuals representing a cross-section of expertise in the energy industry, community colleges, universities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations participated in the National Energy Technician Education Summit from December 8–10, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) convened the summit with support from the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program of the National Science Foundation (NSF).  Click here for a downloadable copy of the report.

The summit’s expert participants identified the key observations and recommendations.

• Energy efficiency and replacement of retiring workers are the biggest growth areas for technicians.
• Math, science, analysis, mechanics, electronics, and information technology are key technical skills for technicians.
• Collaboration among middle schools, high schools, and community colleges is essential to strengthening pathways to improve students’ science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills.
• Good communication, problem-solving, teamwork, social intelligence, integrity, salesmanship, and
• entrepreneurship are key employability skills for technicians.
• The most effective ways to prepare for emerging “green” occupations at the technician level are revising existing programs with enhanced skills, revamping the programs’ structure, and re-branding them to make them more attractive to students and their families.
• National certifications or credentials, core competencies, and national technician education standards are critical items on which energy sector stakeholders can collaborate to develop the workforce.
• Key policy changes that will improve the technician workforce include establishing a national clean energy standard; reintegrating career technical education programs or classes into comprehensive high schools; and making funding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics a top priority at all education levels.
• Projects with solid labor and market intelligence, national and/or regional industry partnerships, train-the-trainer programs, and industry internships/externships for faculty will provide strategic return on investments by funders to support the future needs of energy technician education.

Emmaus, PA (BioCycle, May 2011):  George Hurst and his family have been leaders in demonstrating environmental stewardship in their Lancaster County, PA dairy operation for more than 50 years.  The Hursts installed an anaerobic digester in 1985, being one of the early adopters of this technology for managing manure and generating renewable energy. 

Last fall, they partnered with TerraGro, Inc. of Peach Bottom, PA to install a manure and food waste composting facility.  A strong impetus behind the move into composting was nutrient management.  This intiative represents a collaboration between Oregon Dairy and TerraGrow as well as the Environmental Defense Funds, the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and TeamAg, Inc.  These partners believe that manure composting that is managed well can help mitigate the nutrient runoff the plagues the Chesapeake Bay watershed and create a high-value landscape product.

Click here to read and download the BioCycle story which has more information about the digester and composting operation at Oregon Dairy.

Lancaster:

Recently, the Lancaster County Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy offered a 3-course series addressing the Home Performance career path through a State Energy Sector Partnership grant.  These courses were available to qualified incumbent workers from related industries and eligible unemployed individuals looking to enhance their industry knowledge through training and testing towards becoming BPI certified. Nearly 50 people participated in one or more of the courses offered by Pure Energy Coach.

Many of the participants had personal “aha” moments as they explored the Home Performance concepts and realized that their own homes could benefit from the applied science they were learning in the classroom. Several homes in Lancaster County become testing grounds as the students took their classroom training to the field, bringing the concepts to a practical learning environment.

It is the hope of the Center, the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board, and Pure Energy Coach that the training received in these courses will not only expand the number of skilled professionals in the local Home Performance Industry, but lead to more energy efficient and healthy home environments throughout Lancaster.

Philadelphia: ONTILITY is bringing its Spring Solar Training Conference to Philadelphia on June 9-11 at the Airport Marriott Hotel. The conference will include two days of workshops led by leading solar industry manufacturers and one day of solar sales training provided by ONTILITY. For NABCEP Certified PV Installers, continuing education credit will be offered. Featured products and manufacturers will include; GE, TYCO Electronics, EATON, Fronius, Solectria, Schneider Electric, MK Battery, Tigo Energy, ZepSolar, GREENRAY, SANYO, DECK Monitoring, Schuco and ADCO.

On Thursday and Friday, June 9 and 10, conferees will choose from workshops by leading manufacturers of modules, inverters, cabling, circuit protection and other PV system components. Other workshops will include the latest adhesives and sealants from ADCO, batteries by MK, and the new electric vehicle charging station from General Electric.

On Saturday, June 11, participants have a unique opportunity to attend a one-day Solar Sales and Finance (S-110) course offered by ONTILITY. This newly revised and highly popular course is typically offered in a two-day format and costs $595. The one-day version is a condensed version of the two day class and is offered at a substantial discount for Spring Solar Conference attendees.

PV installers who are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) can earn up to 16 hours of continuing education credit by attending workshops. These credits are required for renewal of NABCEP certifications. Several of the manufacturers have been approved by NABCEP to grant CE credits for their workshops.

For a complete list of participating manufacturers or for additional information on the conference, click here. 

Lancaster:  On Thursday May 12, 2011, the Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy continued its Water Quality Series with "Green Roof Technologies" at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA.  Building owners and local contractors from the building design and landscape industries attended this comprehensive workshop which provided information on green roof technologies currently on the market.  Topics covered included...

• Background, benefits, and history of green roofs
• Green roof installation components – types of systems, mediums, drainage & vegetation
• Step by step process of installation
• Maintenance of green roofs

Click here, here, and here for the three presentations from Jorg Breuning of Green Roof Service LLC, a leader in the green roof industry in Germany and the U.S.  Jorg has actively designed, installed, maintained, and monitored millions of square feet of green roof projects. Click here to download the presentation from Paul Cook from Creek Hill Nurseries, who distributes the ‘Live Roof’ tray system.

Lancaster: On Tuesday April 19, 2011, the Lancaster County Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy celebrated its annual Earth Day Field Tour of Renewable Energy Sites with a morning full of information and visual discoveries .  Marcus Sheffer, an Energy & Environmental Consultant @ 7group, opened the day with a presentation entitled “Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings” following a hearty breakfast.

The attendees then visited Armstrong World Industries for a brief walking tour of the LEED-EB Platinum Certified Corporate Headquarters Building where green technology is tested and deployed on site.The visit included a tour of the Armstrong showroom of new green products and technology, high recycled content materials, and DC FlexZone™  a new distribution system of low-voltage DC power ceiling grid that hooks up to solar panels.

The tour stop moved on to a visit to the wind turbines operated by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) in partnership with PPL Renewable Energy (PPLRE) and Turkey Hill Dairy.  This dedicated 3.2 MW wind project opened in October 2010 at the Frey Farm Landfill in Manor Township. The project includes two 1.6 MW GE wind turbines that will generate about 7.7 million Kwh of electricity, or approximately 25 percent of Turkey Hill’s electricity demand.

Finally, the group wrapped up the day at the Frey Farm Landfill where they learned how methane is extracted from the Landfill, generating electricity and steam utilized by PPL and Turkey Hill Dairy.

In order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2011 funds, complete applications under this Notice must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of the dates as follows: For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications: June 15, 2011.  For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications: June 15, 2011.  For renewable energy system feasibility study applications: June 30, 2011.  For energy audits and renewable energy development assistance applications: June 30, 2011.

For information about this Notice, please contact Mr. Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief, USDA Rural Development, Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720–6819. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  For further information on this program, please contact the applicable USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator for your respective State.