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Washington, D.C:  Penn State researchers will receive $129 million over the next five years from several federal sources, including the Department of Energy (DOE), and an additional $30 million from Pennsylvania to develop ways to make buildings more energy efficient.  The funds will create an Energy Innovation Hub at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, which will involve a substantial number of researchers from academe, the private sector and two national laboratories in a concerted effort to save energy, cut carbon pollution and position the United States at the forefront of the industry.

The grant, believed to be the largest ever provided to an institution in the Commonwealth and the largest in Penn State's history, will help establish the research center to focus on developing technologies that will make buildings more energy efficient. In addition to the $122 million grant from the DOE, three other federal agencies will provide about $7 million in funding, and Gov. Ed Rendell has pledged $30 million to the project to construct a new facility at the Navy Yard Clean Energy Campus in Philadelphia.

Lancaster: Join LIVE Lancaster for its fall workshop is taking place on Saturday September 18, from 9am – 11am at the Lancaster Environmental Center. The cost for a ComposTumbler through the workshop is $150 (normally $240). For questions or to register please contact Lisa Sanchez 717-209-3207 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic materials into a soil-like substance called compost. Organic materials, such as grass clippings, leaves, yard trimmings, food scraps, and non-recyclable paper products, can be composted at home in compost bins or piles. Backyard composting is an easy and economical way for individuals to convert their organic waste into a soil amendment that they can use to mulch landscaping, enhance plant growth, enrich topsoil, and provide other benefits to plants and soil.

Lancaster: Save the date for the next Renewable Energy Breakfast on October 19, 2010 at 7:30 am at the Farm and Home Center at 1383 Arcadia Rd. in Lancaster.  The featured speaker will be Bruce Stultz who is the Director of Energy Management at the Department of General Services in Harrisburg.  Stultz will talk about the success of the PA Guaranteed Energy Savings Act program and the launch of the SESCO program and the Energy Services Coalition chapters now forming in the Commonwealth.  The charge for the breakfast is $25.  Register with Joyce Lenox at the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 717-735-0333.

Leadership of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has recognized the impact that operation and maintenance of existing buildings and new building design can have on energy consumption and environmental performance. Efforts are under way to insure that new buildings designed for Commonwealth occupancy are constructed according to current energy efficient and GREEN principles. A process was needed to benefit agencies that improves existing buildings. As the agency responsible for Commonwealth buildings, Department of General Services, Public Works has been assigned the lead for developing a process through which agencies can easily enter into guaranteed energy savings contracts. The Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) allows agencies to contract for energy conservation measures in existing buildings without the requirement of an up-front capitol budget allocation. Projects will be implemented where, through simple-payback analysis, cost savings resulting from energy conservation improvements exceed the associated financing. In other words, these guaranteed savings are used to cover operating budget finance payments over a period not to exceed fifteen years.

A special pre-tour and informal reception will be held on the afternoon before the short course to tour the bioenergy harvest plots at the Penn State experimental forest.

 This short course is intended for landowners, producers, transportation professionals, and end-users who wish to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their feedstock supply network. Project developers, public officials and policymakers are encouraged to attend as well. Some of the state and nation's top experts in cellulosic bioenergy supply chains will be speaking at the event. This is an outstanding opportunity to interact with leaders in the field and gain real understanding about this important and fast-developing field. Speakers include:

• Tim Volk, SUNY ESF
• Marc McDill, Penn State School of Forest Resources
• Ben Spong, West Virginia University Hardwood Development Center
• Dan Ciolkosz, Penn State Dept of Ag & Bio Eng
• Erin Searcey, Idaho National Laboratory
• Evelyn Thomchick, Penn State Smeal College of Business