Relevant

Allentown:  Performance Systems Academy through a partnership between Lehigh Carbon Community College and AFC First will be offering the BPI Building Analyst/Energy Auditor Training & Certification on February 8-12, 2010 in Allentown.  This is the  “must have” certification for HVAC, Remodeling & Energy contractors who are ready to grow their business.  Class is limited to 12 students, so register now!  To register, click here.

Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certification is the recognized national standard for contractors engaged in the growing fields of energy related improvements and energy auditing such as HVAC, weatherization and renewable energy. BPI certification will be required for participation by contractors in most upcoming utility and federal and state incentive programs.

Lancaster:  Fresco Green Building Supplies recently opened a green and sustainable building supply store at 1520 Commerce Drive in Lancaster.  Showroon hours are Monday-Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-2.  Appointments are available after hours.  Contact them at (717) 519-8860 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Click here to go to the website.

Led by co-founders, Richard Frescatore and Richard Scott, Fresco is dedicated to providing green products and services which will "allow us to remain diligent in our responsibilities toward People, Plant, Probity and Purpose, while conducting our business.  Our business model intent is to focus on living, building and renovating green, filling a void within the green building industry, by providing education, building and interior design, residential and commercial construction, building products and consulting services."

Harrisburg:  In the December 24 edition of Power Politics, the official blog of the Energy Resources Group, there was a very good summary of Rate Caps and Consumer Choice.  We reprint that section of the newsletter below.

 "The end of 2009 also marks the end of rate caps in the PPL Electric Utilities (PPL) territory. The state legislature tried to bring about legislation to stall the expiration of rate caps, but since that was not completed prior to the end of this year’s session, many customers are left wondering about now only what rate caps are, but how much their bills will increase, and what they can do to “shop” for better prices.As part of the restructured electricity market created by the Act, customers have the right to choose who supplies the generation portion of their bill. Under the law, your current electric company is required to maintain the transmission and distribution (or the wires) part of your electric service, even if you choose a different supplier for your generation. Once rate caps expire, customers can shop around for a better deal.