Pennsylvania’s Energy Independence

Posted on | February 3, 2009 | Comments Off

by DEP

Citing the urgent need to cut energy costs, move toward energy independence and stimulate the economy, Pennsylvania is investing $665.9 million to push PA into the top tier of states taking steps to cut consumer energy costs, and significantly expand the alternative fuel, clean energy and conservation sectors. The plan is estimated to cut PA’s energy bills by $10 billion over the next 10 years.

At a time when consumers are struggling to manage volatile energy costs and America’s national security is jeopardized by its continuing dependence on foreign oil, Pennsylvania is investing $665.9 million to spur the development of alternative and renewable energy sources and help families and small business conserve energy and use it more efficiently.

The $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund and the nearly $16 million Alternative Fuels Investment Fund include $237.5 million specifically targeted toward helping consumers conserve electricity and manage higher energy prices, and $428.4 million to spur the development of alternative energy resources and create good-paying, skilled jobs for Pennsylvania’s hard-working men and women.

The package includes incentives to help households and small businesses take advantage of solar energy technology – a key resource for reducing electricity demand during times of peak demand when rates are most expensive – and make improvements to their homes or buildings that conserve energy.

EPA Releases Report on Sea Level Rise

Posted on | February 1, 2009 | 4 Comments

(Washington, D.C. – Jan. 16, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with other agencies, has released a report that discusses the impacts of sea level rise on the coast, coastal communities, and the habitats and species that depend on them. The report, Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region, examines multiple opportunities for governments and coastal communities to plan for and adapt to rising sea levels.

Sea-level rise can affect coastal communities and habitats in a variety of different ways, including submerging low-lying lands, eroding beaches, converting wetlands to open water, intensifying coastal flooding, and increasing the salinity of estuaries and freshwater aquifers. It is caused by a number of natural and human-induced factors and can vary by region. Some impacts of sea-level rise can already be observed along the U.S. coast.

The primary causes of global sea-level rise are the expansion of ocean water due to warming and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Locally, sea-level rise is also influenced by changes to the geology of coastal land, making coastal elevation mapping an important area of future study. The Mid-Atlantic region, the focus of this report, is one of the areas in the U.S. that will likely see the greatest impacts due to rising waters, coastal storms, and a high concentration of population along the coastline.

EPA led the development of the report with significant contributions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey.

The report is one of 21 climate change synthesis and assessment products commissioned by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). CCSP was established in 2002 to provide the U.S. with science-based knowledge to manage the risks and opportunities of change in the climate and related environmental systems. The program is responsible for coordinating and integrating the research of 13 federal agencies on climate and global change.

More information on the report: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/coastal/sap4-1.html

Information on the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP): http://www.climatescience.gov/

Green Minutes: Ambler, PA Going Green Notes

Posted on | January 30, 2009 | Comments Off

Ambler Main Street Green Committee Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2009

I. One Commercial Hauler
Reviewed the initial objective of having one trash hauler for businesses in the borough. The chance of obtaining this goal seems to entail going from store to store to enroll them, after finding the right fit for a private hauler. We may apply for a technical assistance grant to develop a “Request for a Proposal” from the haulers. Municipal pick-up is a slim possibility. Municipal management of a bid contract is even slimmer.
ACTION: Susan will inquire about technical assistance grants from Art Feltes

II. Recycling Dumpsters
An effort to locate 3 or more “communal” recycling dumpsters throughout town for the take-out food businesses who install an in-store recycling ClearStream stand is awaiting input from the borough code enforcement officer on existing recycling dumpsters.
ACTION: Susan will get Ron’s information, in case he can not come to the next meeting.

III. Food Businesses In-store Recycle Bins
The initiative of in-store Clearstream recycle stands will require business cooperation in their purchasing the stands and then taking full bags to the dumpsters that will be identified as above. Obtaining an agreement with a cooperative hauler for no extra cost is crucial.
On Hold for above

IV. Bicycle Routes / Racks
The website, http://philanet.com/green/ is ready to accept bikers’ inputs regarding “preferred” local bicycle roads and the locations of bike racks in and around the borough. An article in the Ambler Gazette is forthcoming.
ACTION: Contact our biking friends and groups to post their routes on the website.

V. Green Business Awards
Finding incentives and motivation for businesses to adopt green practices is a priority. Five initatives to this end are:

Develop a model environmental policy for ourselves and post it
Conduct a green business seminar
Develop criteria for a scorecard to rate businesses on green practices
Create a self-entry feature on the web for nominating businesses.
Develop a press release about the awards
ACTION: All in group to develop our criteria categories to share at next meeting.

Norristown, PA Community Clean-up Meeting

Posted on | January 30, 2009 | Comments Off

Good afternoon!

Are you planning a clean-up project this Spring in Norristown? Do you know any organization or person who is planning a clean-up project? Would you like to partner and find out how you can help plan to clean up Norristown this Spring?

If you answered, Yes, to any of those questions than we would like to invite you out to a meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 7:00PM at Norristown Municipal Hall. The Municipality of Norristown is partnering with Norristown Weed and Seed to plan and organize a Business District Cleanup, an Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup, a ‘Hard To Recycle Materials’ Collection and more! We would like to partner with you or your organization to make this the best and most comprehensive cleanup effort to date! If we all work together in leveraging resources, recruiting volunteers and coordinating existing events we can make Norristown a cleaner and prettier place to live!