Relevant

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.

Harrisburg:  Pennsylvania’s abundance of biomass as a renewable energy source could help businesses like greenhouses, hospitals, campus complexes, prisons, and school districts, to meet the challenges of rising energy cost and constrained budgets.  The Biomass Boot Camp, scheduled for May 17, will give business owners and key decision-makers a better understanding of the pros and cons associated with renewable biomass and will provide guidance on how to proceed if they wish to investigate its potential for their own facilities.  The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center 1451 Peter's Mountain Road Dauphin, Pennsylvania.    

     Expert panelists will address a broad range of topics, including: types of biomass fuels, sustainability, the economics of converting to biomass, air emissions and permitting, financing, and the all-important question, “Why biomass?”  The purpose of the Boot Camp is to enable participants to make more informed decisions as to whether biomass may be a viable option for their school, business, government building, or other facility.

     Participants will have the opportunity to meet with Pennsylvania manufactures and biomass fuel providers.  Exhibitors will include AFS Energy Systems, ACT Bioenergy, Advanced Recycling/Challenger Energy, Biofuel Boiler and Total Energy Solutions.  USDA Rural Development, the Biomass Energy Resource Center, Honeywell, and several engineering and support service companies dedicated to renewable heating solutions will also have exhibits.  

San Francisco, CA, March 30, 2011 - The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI), a nationally recognized standards development and contractor credentialing organization for residential energy efficiency retrofit work, today honored A. Tamasin Sterner of Pure Energy by naming her the recipient of the Tony Woods Award for Excellence in Advancing the Home Performance Industry in a ceremony at the Opening Plenary of the ACI National Conference in San Francisco, CA. 
 
Sterner was nominated by her industry peers and selected by an independent panel of impartial judges, both for her national impact on home performance contractor training and her pioneering work in low-income weatherization, bringing residential energy efficiency to the nation's attention. 

State College:  Successful farms are efficient farms – this is true of all aspects of the farming operation, including energy use. However, it is not always obvious how a farm’s energy efficiency can be improved. Expert advice, in the form of a farm energy audit, is the best method to find ways to improve your farm’s energy efficiency. Unfortunately, energy audits are often quite expensive and typically cost $1500 or more.

Through the “Pennsylvania Farm Energy Audit Program,” USDA will offset the cost by paying 75% of the energy audit, leaving only 25% of the cost to the farmer. The audits are carried out by Penn State agricultural energy specialists or specially trained private consultants, depending on the location of the farm and availability of personnel. Pennsylvania Farm Energy Audit Program funds are on a first-come, first-served basis, and are limited to commercial farms (including greenhouses) that are in a rural area in Pennsylvania.

Additional information and an application are available by clicking here.

Lancaster: In response to the suggestions of our constituents, the Lancaster County Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy is working with Pure Energy to bring training from the Building Performance Institute to Lancaster County.  A series of three programs prepare the participant to take the Building Analyst Professional test and earn the certificated from BPI.

• Introduction to the Home Performance Industry runs for one day on April 11, April 16, May 6, or May 7, 2011 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at Liberty Place, 313 W. Liberty St. in Lancaster.  Free to participants if you are willing to provide information required by the Berks – Lancaster Energy Partnership. You will receive a call prior to the presentation for additional information to determine your eligibility to receive a scholarship for the training.  If you are not eligible, the cost of the program is $50.  Click here to receive a downloadable copy of the flyer and here to get the registration form.
  
  This is a six-hour introduction to the Home Performance Industry. Topics include market for home energy audits, certifications, safety, house pressures and air sealing, how buildings lose energy, structure and appliance inspection, and combustion appliances and testing.  Pre-requisite for the Energy Technician Fundamentals course.
  
  

• Energy Technician Fundamentals runs on April 20-22 or May 18-20, 2011 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm at 100C, Liberty Place, 313 W. Liberty St. in Lancaster. The fee for this course is $1,100.  However, a scholarship of $550 is available to companies and participants who are willing to provide information required by the Berks-Lancaster Energy Partnership and as a result are eligible for funding.  Click here to receive a downloadable copy of the flyer and here to get the registration form.
  
  This is a 24-hour introductory course to Energy Technology as a career. Topics include construction math, identification of hazards, building science and energy basics, measuring, codes, ladder and electrical safety, and systems thinking.  Pre-requisite for Building Analyst Professional training course.
  
  

• Building Analyst Professional Training and Certification Testing will be offered on May 2-5 or May 23-26, 2011 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm daily in Room 100C, Liberty Place, 313 W. Liberty St, Lancaster.  The fee for this course is $1,100.  However, a scholarship of $550 is available to companies and participants who are willing to provide information required by the Berks-Lancaster Energy Partnership and as a result are eligible for funding.  Click here to receive a downloadable copy of the flyer and here to get the registration form.
  
  Online testing for the BPI Building Analyst Professional certification occurs on the last day of the program.  An additional hands-on test will require making an appointment with the trainers for the full credential. 
  
  This is a 32-hour preparation for the BPI Building Analyst Certificate. Topics include how buildings lose and gain energy, appliances and HVAC, reducing energy consumption, conducting diagnostic testing, finding energy saving opportunities, using BPI standards, and how the certification will support success.

Lancaster: In partnership with the Harrisburg Area Community College, the Lancaster County Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy and the Berks-Lancaster Energy Sector Partnership are offering a one-week 40-hour intensive course on "Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Electric Systems" that is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).  The training will be offered from April 18-22, 2011 at the Brossman Business Complex, 124 E. Main St. in Ephrata, PA.  Click here for a downloadable brochure.

Learn the fundamentals of solar photovoltaic (PV) system design and installation in this workshop designed for those interested in the expanding PV industry- including builders, electricians, architects, code offi cials, construction- and energy-related business owners, teachers, attorneys and elected officials.

Participants will gain a technical foundation in stand-alone and grid-tied code compliant solar electric systems. The content follows the North American Board of Certifi ed Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) learning objectives. Successful completion of this PV course offered by HACC also allows students to take the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam, which will be offered following the workshop. Instructor is Phil Theis a NABCEP certified trainer.

The course costs $1,050 which includes lunch, text, materials, and fee for taking the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam. Employees of companies in Berks and Lancaster Counties qualify for a $525 subsidy from the Berks-Lancaster Energy Sector Partnership.  For more information and questions about accommodations in the vicinity, contact Cheryl Deitz, coordinator, HACC Workforce and Economic Development Division, at 717-221-1338 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  To register, call 717-780-2414 or 717-780-2616. Section number is 63600 for the April course.

Lancaster:  On Tuesday, March 15, from 9:00 am to noon, Penn Stone will be offering a workshop on permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP) at its main location at 190 W. Ross Street in Lancaster.  Rob Hipszer from EP Henry will conduct the seminary.  Rob is a certified trainer for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) Installer Course. 

This session will be a two hour workshop followed by an outdoor demonstration of a typical permeable pavement installation.  There is no fee but a registration is recommended.  Contact John McGrann at 717-629-6745 or by clicking This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Permeable paving solutions are an essential tool for effectively managing stormwater and protecting our local and regional watersheds.  They capture rainfall before it enters waterways or municipal storm-sewers, cooling it, and removing up to 90% of suspended solids before recharging the groundwater.