EMAP Announces New Online Resource to Recycle Manure

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State Underground Storage Tank Programs Extended

The Pennsylvania General Assembly recently approved the extension of the state's Underground Storage Tank Environmental Cleanup and Underground Storage Tank Pollution Prevention programs for an additional five years. The continuation of these programs will be helpful to small businesses needing to address actual or potential oil releases from underground storage tanks (USTs).

The UST Environmental Cleanup program reimburses up to $5,000 for corrective action taken by owners of underground heating oil tanks with a capacity of 3,000 gallons or less. This program allows homeowners and small businesses to act quickly to clean up heating oil spills without facing undue financial burden.

The UST Pollution Prevention program provides grants to encourage tank owners to take measures to prevent accidental spills from unused and unsafe tanks that have not been updated to meet current federal and state technical requirements. Reimbursement grants of up to $2,500 per tank are available for eligible owners to pump out and dispose of regulated product from the tank; clean the insides of the tank; and, if the tank will be put into temporary closure, grout the fill pipe. These grants are only available to owners with six or fewer regulated USTs.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and search for keyword “Storage Tanks.”

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New $10 Million Tax Credit Program Available for Farmers

On July 25, Governor Rendell approved legislation that provides a substantial tax credit to farmers who install Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control nutrient pollution.

Included in Act 55 of 2007, the new Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) tax credit program is designed to encourage private investment in the implementation of BMPs on agricultural operations. Eligible farmers can receive up to $150,000 in tax credits for single or multiple projects, and they can choose to apply the credits to their own tax bill or sell them to another taxpayer. Businesses that help finance a project on a private farm can also receive the tax credits.

Eligible projects can include:

• Nutrient Management Plan development
• Conservation practices for barnyards and other animal concentration areas
• Stream bank fencing and forest buffers of 35 feet or more
• Treatment of legacy sediments through approved conservation practices
• Other conservation practices as approved by the State Conservation Commission

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Grants Available to Help Businesses Increase Recyclable Material Use

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for 2007 Recycling Markets Infrastructure Development Grants.  The application deadline is November 1, 2007.  Start-up or existing businesses in Pennsylvania that recycle Pennsylvania materials and incorporate them into new manufactured products are eligible for the grant as long as they are recycling one of the following materials:  glass, plastics, high grade office paper, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, corrugated paper or newsprint.  Grant funds can be used for the purchase and installation of equipment associated with increasing the use of recycled content in products.  DEP has allocated $1,000,000 for the program and will award grants of $500,000 for any one project. 

For more information on the Recycling Markets Infrastructure Development Grant program, or to obtain a grant application, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Market Development.

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EMAP Recognized by U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson named the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) a 2007 ENERGY STAR Small Business Network Special Award winner. “I applaud [the Pennsylvania SBDC] for demonstrating the environmental and financial rewards of going green,” said Johnson when announcing the awards yesterday.

The award recognizes the Pennsylvania SBDC’s Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) for its success in helping small businesses across Pennsylvania to improve their energy efficiency and highlights the program’s commitment to energy savings.

Joining EMAP in receiving an award this year was Central PA Settlement, LLC (see Success Story, below), a client of the program located in Bedford, PA. Central PA Settlement was recognized as one of eight nationwide 2007 winners in the small business award category.

For more information, view the press release.

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Within a year of purchasing an old building in Bedford, PA, Tom and Linda Bullington had already established three businesses on the first floor and six apartments on the second floor. The Bullingtons either work at or own each of the businesses: Central PA Settlement LLC; Allquest Real Estate, Central PA LLC; and Branch 446, Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp.

Once the building was inhabited, the couple decided to begin energy efficiency improvements. First, they replaced all 70 windows with low-e energy efficient windows and installed R39 insulation in the attic. While these initial steps did much to improve the building’s energy use, they discovered an old boiler was the key energy drain in the building and needed to be replaced. The existing boiler was 50-55 percent efficient. The excessive heat loss due to this antiquated piece of equipment permeated the first floor of the building, causing the upstairs offices to run the air conditioning nearly year-round. After several estimates and recommendations, in August 2005 they sought guidance from the EMAP consultant at the Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center.

The EMAP consultant reviewed contractor estimates, researched equipment options, and recommended upgrading to an ENERGY STAR rated boiler. The model chosen has an estimated efficiency rating of 87 percent, far beyond that of the older boiler. To fund this equipment upgrade, EMAP helped the Bullingtons apply for a PA DEP Small Business Advantage Grant. This program matches up to 50 percent—with a maximum of $7,500—of the cost of energy efficiency or pollution prevention projects. 

The Bullingtons were awarded the full $4,323 grant they sought, and the new boiler was in place by March 2006. During the first year, they cut almost $6,200 from their gas bill, a reduction of over two-thirds. Combined, the state grant money plus the greatly reduced gas bill have provided the Bullingtons a payback in a little over 8 months. This does not even include the marked savings on their electric bill resulting from decreased air conditioner use. The environmental payoff was big as well: 19 tons of carbon dioxide have been eliminated annually by replacing the boiler. Between economic savings and reduction in pollution, these EMAP clients have discovered the true benefits of energy efficiency.

The US EPA recognized Central PA Settlement with a 2007 ENERGY STAR Small Business Award. Only eight of these awards are given nationwide.

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Proposed Legislation to Provide Energy Efficiency Funding Assistance to Small Businesses

State Representative Camille “Bud” George of Clearfield County is seeking legislative support for a bill he is drafting that would direct the state Public Utility Commission to help small businesses improve energy efficiency. The proposed legislation would establish “on-bill financing,” where utilities provide funding to businesses implementing energy saving improvements.

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Energy Efficiency Tip #3 – Look for the ENERGY STAR Label

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) intended to help individuals and businesses save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. To earn the ENERGY STAR label, products must meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA or DOE. Qualified products are available in more than 50 categories and are 10 to 25 percent more efficient than required by the federal standard, while providing top performance and innovative features. By using less energy, these products save businesses money on utility bills and help reduce harmful emissions from power plants. For example:

• Qualified refrigerators are at least 15 percent more efficient than the minimum federal standard.
• Qualified office equipment automatically enters a low-power "sleep" mode after a period of inactivity; qualified computers use 70 percent less electricity than computers without enabled power management features.
• Qualified light bulbs (CFLs) use two-thirds less energy than a standard incandescent bulb, last up to 10 times longer, and must meet additional operating and reliability guidelines.
• Qualified furnaces offer a rating of 90 percent AFUE or greater, which is about 15 percent more efficient than the minimum federal efficiency standard.

Become an ENERGY STAR Small Business partner to receive energy efficiency updates and access to free tools and additional information. Visit www.energystar.gov/smallbiz for more information and to sign up for this free program.

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Regulatory Update: EPA Extends SPCC Compliance Deadlines

Facilities affected by the Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations now have nearly two additional years to meet compliance deadlines. EPA recently issued a final rule to extend the compliance deadline from October 31, 2007 to July 1, 2009. The extension will provide time for the regulated community to comply with revised requirements the agency expects to propose later this year. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/oilspill.

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Trash to Cash Opportunities Available

Pennsylvania Material Trader provides an opportunity for businesses to connect with each other to save money on waste disposal and raw material costs. This is a free, confidential online service (materials may be offered at a nominal cost).

Did you know you can now sign up to receive alerts when materials are posted in a desired category? The enhanced Pennsylvania Material Trader allows you to sign up for alerts, post photos of your items, receive notice of potential matches, and more! Visit www.materialtrader.org for details.

Check out some of these most recent listings:

Materials Wanted:

Materials Available:

Do you have waste materials that may have value to someone else? Are you looking for raw materials or other used business items? List and Find YOUR materials on Pennsylvania Material Trader.

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