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Pennsylvania's Small
Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program
By Daryl
Valley
As discussed briefly in our last newsletter, in July 2008, Pennsylvania's
Alternative Energy Investment Act became law. This bill established
a $650 million Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Investment Fund to
provide funding assistance for renewable energy, energy efficiency,
and other alternative energy related projects within Pennsylvania.
The Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program is the first
related program that was created out of this legislation, providing
a total of $3 million in funds for equipment or processes that
improve energy efficiency in small business settings.
This grant program will reimburse small businesses for up to 25% of
the cost of eligible energy efficiency projects, up to a maximum of
$25,000. Eligible business entities include for-profit businesses
located in Pennsylvania with not more than 100 full time employees.
the proposed efficiency projects must save the applicant at least
$1,000 in energy costs each year and result in an annual energy
savings of 20% for the system(s) being replaced [as compared to
current system(s)], or result in a minimum 20% reduction in overall
annual energy consumption.
Some examples of eligible projects include efficient HVAC systems,
lighting, commercial refrigeration, process improvements, windows,
and insulation. Eligible projects may require additional analyses
in an effort to document the potential energy savings. Certain
projects (e.g., installation of window air conditioners, wood-fired
stoves, vending machines) are specifically ineligible under the
grant solicitation. Some new construction projects are eligible for
these grants, but must meet some energy efficiency requirements as
compared to similar average commercially available products. Energy
Star rated equipment may be required if the type of equipment
proposed for installation is rated under an applicable Energy Star
program standard.
Generally, the program is open to custom projects that meet the
energy savings criteria above; however, grants are only available
for project costs that are incurred after the program opening date
of January 12, 2009. Grants may be reserved on a first-come, first-
served basis through May 1, 2009, or until funds are expended ($3
million is currently available for award). All participants will be
required to submit 1-year reports documenting 12 months of energy savings
data after project completion. Other program stipulations and
restrictions are applicable and can be found on the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection's website at DEP
website
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Recognizing Possibilities
in the Current Economic Climate
By Jude
Horton
In my position as Sales Assistant for Alternative Environmental
Solutions, I spend a great deal of the day chatting on the phone
and building relationships with clients and associates. When I'm
not in the office, I'm usually out attending seminars or business-
related gatherings. This gives me a unique perspective on what is
happening 'out there.'
The topic on everybody's mind is the economy. Business is down.
Major retail chains are going dark. New construction is down.
Projects are falling to the wayside. Times are bad. While this may
be true, I'd like to offer another view of the situation.
While there are many schools of thought as to time frame, the one
thing that everyone seems to be in agreement about is that there will
be an end to this financial crisis. So where do we go from here? We
focus on the possibilities.
Brownfields properties offer some great possibilities. There
has been renewed interest in revitalizing older, unused buildings
and vacant lands into beautiful and financially viable businesses.
Redevelopment Authorities and Economic Development Councils are
boosting the local economy while turning eyesores into the most
sought after properties.
There are possibilities in adding value to properties that are
currently on the market. A strong selling point for a lot of
potential property buyers and lessors is green innovation. There
are many ways to reduce a property's carbon footprint. Something as
small as changing the type of lighting used can net an incredible
decrease in energy consumption. Now is the time to have vacant
buildings audited and to make any necessary energy saving upgrades.
Green technology will not only attract more potential buyers, but
can also qualify you for some very significant tax breaks.
New home construction presents possibilities. The population
is growing. Eventually the housing market will pick up and new
construction will begin again. Use this time to prepare. This is
the time to plan your projects and have any environmental work
completed. Have a geological and hydrogeological survey completed.
Have a Phase I environmental site assessment prepared. Be ready
when the time comes to start construction on your housing
development.
Explore the possibility of expanding your portfolio. It is a
buyer's market. There are some great properties available at very
reasonable prices.
The possibilities are there. By taking advantage of these possibilities
you can position yourself ahead of the game when the market
eventually turns around.
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SPCC Plan and Compliance
Update
By Brian J.
Beahan, P.G., President
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires
that certain facilities, typically those that include bulk storage
of petroleum hydrocarbons and other potentially hazardous
substances, must prepare and implement Spill Prevention, Control,
and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans to address the potential for a
discharge of oil or other substance to inland waters located in the
United States. As some of our clients may know, EPA recently
published some amendments to the SPCC regulations in the Federal
Register on December 5, 2008.
EPA has recently extended the effective date of the December 2008
amendments by 60 days, to April 4, 2009. In addition to this, EPA
is providing for a 30-day comment period for the December 2008 SPCC
final rule to solicit comments from interested members of the
public. The agency is also interested in receiving public comments
on the change in the effective date, the new requirements for
produced water containers present at oil production facilities, and
the ability of "Tier I qualified facilities" engaged in
oil production to self-certify their SPCC plans. This public
comment period is open until March 5, 2009.
EPA is also in the process of reviewing the current dates by which
owners/operators of the regulated facilities are required to
prepare, amend, and/or implement their SPCC plans. Regardless of
these actions, owners or operators of applicable regulated
facilities that were in operation prior to August 16, 2002, must
still prepare, amend, or maintain an SPCC plan according to the
current regulations.
AES has prepared a number of SPCC Plans over the years. If we can
provide advice or otherwise assist you in keeping your regulated
facility compliant with the existing regulations and new final
rules, please call us at (888) 844-2371.
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Seeking Employment?
By Brian J. Beahan, P.G., President
We are always looking for qualified professionals to join our team.
We appreciate your referrals of business and now are seeking your referrals
for qualified environmental and geologic consulting professionals.
If you know of anyone who is seeking a change and a challenging new
direction in their career, where creativity and solutions-oriented
thinking really make a difference, please pass on our contact
information.
Find out more....
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Our customers have approached us with problems, we've
understood what needed to be done and we've provided appropriate
solutions. Our mission statement, indeed our company as a whole, is
centered on meeting this objective. May we put our quality,
client-centered environmental solutions to work for you too?
On behalf of the staff of Alternative Environmental
Solutions, Inc., I invite you to experience the value we add to your
business.
Sincerely,
Brian J. Beahan
Alternative
Environmental Solutions
email: aes1@altenv.com
phone:
717-517-5000
fax:
717-517-5004
web: http://www.altenv.com
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