The need to save energy is a notion that everyone seems to agree is of great importance these days. Whether you're short, tall, wealthy, poor, liberal, conservative, pink, green, or purple - the idea that you might be burning up dollars for no reason strikes a common nerve.
That's why it's comforting to know that professional guidance for the "power to save" has come to the greater Philadelphia region in the form of
EnergyWorks, a comprehensive energy solutions program for home and commercial or industrial building owners. EnergyWorks experts help owners find ways to reduce their building’s energy use, and EnergyWorks’ low-interest loans help them pay for the upgrade.
At
Energywise PA, a site sponsored by the new Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, Deputy Philadelphia Mayor Alan Greenberger describes the program as follows:
"Energy Works pays to send auditors to a home or business to pinpoint specific changes that can save energy and money. I have a big house in Mount Airy and, even though I'm an architect, I can actually think of 10 things to do, but I don't know which one is the most bang for the buck."
Many homeowners can get a $400 energy audit and only pay $100 for it. Likewise, low-interest loans are available for improvements. The $25 million program is available in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.
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An auditor views a home systems model at the ECA training center. |
Last month Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Campus Apartments CEO David Adelman announced the first full commercial application of EnergyWorks in the launching of an impressive $50 million hotel project in Philadelphia's University City community.
A press release by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation quotes the Mayor as saying "The
city was able to pull levers in a difficult economic climate to obtain financing and make this project happen. By making a smart economic and environmental investment in Philadelphia, this project will bring new, quality jobs for our citizens and a brand-new, environmentally-friendly hotel for visitors. It’s a win for everyone involved.”
The project will be the largest of its kind to utilize EnergyWorks trained contractors, an aspect that helps guarantee the investment will be fostered by an energy efficient, green-building methodology. That way, the return on the city's dollar is less likely to simply go up the chimney, literally.
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A flamingo-like wind farm in the UK. |
In essence, we seem to be at a real turning point in the building trades and with our society in general regarding issues of energy conservation. Notions of saving the environment and saving money have begun to merge at a mainstream level; they are seen as one and the same.
For Energy Coordinating Agency director Liz Robinson, the two were never far apart. Her 26 year old organization sprouted from the need for a local community resource to help mitigate issues related to some of the less attuned policies of utility companies and their often unhindered rate hikes.
Describing the ECA's beginnings in an interview with Home Science, Ms. Robinson said "There was a necessity for community outreach and a comprehensive approach to solving energy solutions, and to get utility companies engaged in those solutions."
Some of those solutions are evidenced by the initiation of utility caps at the end of the 1990's, and the current transformation of the utility marketplace through deregulation and a more open market. But most notably it's seen in the growing commitment to energy conservation through various sectors of the local economy.
With the evolving possibility of a genuine democratization of energy resources, Ms. Robinson emphasized the importance of "helping to elevate the energy literacy" of both energy consumers and contractors. "In the past," she said, "utility companies made it easy - the public hasn't had to understand everything. Now with more choices at hand, there is a great need for education on the issues for consumers as well as training and other resources for contractors involved in programs such as EnergyWorks."
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A Delaware River "family" seeks a clean energy future. |
Throughout the past decades, the ECA has been through many stages of this transformation, and deservedly, it now seems to be a lynch-pin for the vast array of these new exciting initiatives.--D.A DeMers.
For more information on the EnergyWorks program visit the ECA's links at www.ecasavesenergy.org/energyworks. Other resources on the web can be found at www.energyworksnow.com.
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Heated Debate...
While energy conservation and green-building tactics are central to the focus of this blog, it's also important to understand issues related to where our energy comes from before it arrives at our homes, schools, and office buildings. In regards to natural gas, nothing is burning hotter than the issue of hydraulic fracturing or
gas fracking, a fairly new drilling technology being employed in the expansive, resource rich region of the
Marcellus Shale.
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Natural gas flame. |
Home Science recently caught up with Pennsylvania State Senator Larry Farnese, fresh from his fact finding mission at the Atlas Energy gas drilling site in Fayette County. The senator said he took part in the tour to get a better understanding of the industry and its issues, as talk continues about a natural gas extraction tax or fee. He hopes to include safety and environmental concerns as an important part of that discussion.
"I have extreme concern for the safety of the men and women involved in this work," he said. "The entire process of extracting gas from the shale is one that is done under extremely high pressure from fluids, and it's important that we ensure safeguards are properly in place to protect those involved in the work."
At the core of the controversy is the issue of a gas
severance tax. Pennsylvania is currently the largest state without some form of extraction fee in place to recoup possible environmental and oversight costs, or to help fund educational programs needed to insure that its own citizens benefit from the well paying jobs promised by the boom, and not simply professionals brought in from other locations. Reports from people in the shale regions claim that Texas license plates tend to be ever-present at many of the drilling sites. At the same time, Pennsylvania is currently facing budget shortfalls in many sectors, especially in areas of job training and education.
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Natural gas extraction/production in the US. |
But some have made a fierce argument that a gas severance tax would scare away investment, that it is essential to forgo such a fee in order to keep the state competitive in these fragile economic times. I proffered that position during the interview, but was quickly challenged.
"Absolute hogwash," declared the senator, displaying his sometimes outspoken, yet personable demeanor. "I talked to experts in top levels of the industry who say this is it. We have one of the nation's greatest energy resources, and the industry is coming here whether there is a fee or not." He emphasized that it is especially crucial now to pass the bill, because the greatest amount of the gas is predicted to be extracted in the first 5-7 years. "We will simply lose out," he said. "It is just absurd."
Despite the decision last October of the state's republican controlled senate to put off a vote on the tax, Senator Farnese feels there is still strong support on both sides of the aisle for such legislation. "To punt on this issue now is simply irresponsible," he said.
He may be right - the desire for a tax appears to be rapidly cutting across political boundaries and demographics. A
poll published today in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review shows more than half of registered republicans in the commonwealth are now in favor of some sort of severance fee. Likewise, two-thirds of
all Pennsylvania voters say they are for it. With a new administration taking over in Harrisburg, and a budget deadline set for early Spring, debate on the topic is certain to remain forefront.
Regardless, the gas fracking debate has become increasingly visible on a national level. This awareness was advanced greatly by the recent award winning documentary
Gasland, filmed by Pennsylvanian native Josh Fox, which stunningly highlighted many of the practice's potential environmental hazards. Likewise, a plethora of clean water groups, such as
Penn Future and Protecting Our Waters, seem to be continually persistent on the matter. With all this attention, there is little evidence of retreat from either side until a clear resolution of policy is enacted. Stay tuned.
--D.A DeMers
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