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Governor Rendell: Obama Administration’s New National Auto Standards Are Good for Consumers, Economy, Environment

New Rules Will Save PA’s Consumers $14 Billion in Fuel Costs, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 57 Million Metric Tons over Next Decade

HARRISBURG — Governor Edward G. Rendell today praised President Barack Obama and his administration for announcing bold steps that will greatly reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, save motorists thousands of dollars, and help clean the air of climate-changing greenhouse gases.

In a joint announcement today, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the nation’s first national standard for greenhouse gas emissions and rules that will greatly increase the fuel economy of passenger cars and light-duty trucks.

“Today’s news from the Obama administration is great news for Pennsylvania and the entire nation, because cleaner cars are a big win for consumers, the environment and our national security,” Governor Rendell said. “With access to more fuel-efficient vehicles, consumers will have to spend less time and money at the gas pump, which means fewer dollars going to foreign, oil-rich nations that may be hostile to our interests.

“The less fuel we burn, the cleaner our air will be,” Governor Rendell said. “That will make our people and our planet much healthier for the long term.”

According to the federal government, the new rules will reduce carbon dioxide emissions about 960 million metric tons and conserve about 1.8 billion barrels of oil—or the amount the U.S. now imports every six months from foreign sources—over the life of the vehicles that are subject to the requirements. Consumers who purchase a 2016 model year vehicle—the target year for attaining the new fuel economy standards—will save $3,000 over the life of that automobile by using less fuel.

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, the new standards will cut Pennsylvania’s vehicle carbon dioxide emissions by 57 million metric tons and save the state’s motorists an estimated $14 billion in fuel costs over the next 10 years.

Transportation is responsible for more than one-quarter of Pennsylvania’s greenhouse gas emissions, so enactment of the new emissions standards will help the state meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Pennsylvania has been pursuing cleaner standards for new vehicles based on California’s Low Emissions Vehicle Program. The Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program was amended in 2006 to require automakers to sell new cars and light-duty trucks in Pennsylvania that are cleaner than would be required by the federal government, starting with model year 2008.

Pennsylvania’s Clean Vehicles Program cuts volatile organic compounds as much as 12 percent and nitrogen oxide emission 9 percent more than the less stringent federal standards, resulting in a 5-11 percent greater reduction of six toxic air pollutants including benzene, a known carcinogen.

By establishing one nationwide standard, the new federal rules announced today also will help ease concerns that tougher standards in Pennsylvania would increase vehicle costs. Nearly all Mid-Atlantic states have already adopted tougher emission standards like those in place in Pennsylvania and California.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov.

HARRISBURG, PA — A well-established financial management firm with a successful track record of investing in green technologies and sustainable forms of energy has been chosen to manage Pennsylvania’s new Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund, according to Governor Edward G. Rendell.

The Reinvestment Fund—known as TRF—will manage the loan program and provide much needed financial capital to support cost-effective, energy conservation and renewable energy projects in existing, non-residential buildings.

The new revolving loan fund is made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In announcing TRF’s selection, the Governor said the firm’s track record and its pledge to providing double the federally required match for the new program is evidence of its commitment to building a green economy in Pennsylvania.

“President Obama and Congress had the foresight to make renewable energy and energy conservation a key part of the federal Recovery Act because these are areas that are critically important to the nation’s future,” said Governor Rendell. “This new revolving loan fund is the latest opportunity to be born of that wise decision and, under TRF’s management, the program will put hundreds of people to work incorporating green technologies into buildings that ultimately, will save consumers millions of dollars each year.”

The federal Recovery Act will provide $12 million to the state for the Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund, but it required any firm applying to manage to provide a minimum match of $18 million in private funds. TRF committed to investing $36 million, which will allow for a $48 million pool of funds in the loan program.

That level of investment is expected to help support 500 jobs on projects that will reduce energy consumption by nearly 800 billion British Thermal Units of energy, or enough to power more than 23,000 average homes in Pennsylvania for one year.

The new revolving loan fund will supply necessary capital for developing cost effective, energy-saving and renewable energy projects in existing, non-residential buildings throughout Pennsylvania. The projects create and retain jobs, and must cut an entire facility’s energy consumption by at least 25 percent or develop and install technologies on-site that produce electricity from renewable resources.

The Department of Environmental Protection and TRF are finalizing the loan fund’s guidelines. More information, as well as a form for non-residential building owners who may be interested in learning more, is available at www.PaGreenEnergyLoanFund.com.

Single-family dwellings are not eligible for financing under the new Green Energy Loan Fund. Homeowners interested in obtaining low-interest loans to help finance home-energy efficiency projects should seek assistance through the Keystone HELP program by visiting www.keystonehelp.com.

TRF has extensive experience in with the green energy industry and in integrating high-performance energy measures into its community development portfolio. Its Collaborative Lending Initiative, a regional loan consortium comprised of 13 banks, has provided energy efficiency and renewable energy construction financing for numerous affordable housing and charter school projects.

The firm has also provided advice since 1993 to its customers on energy efficiency and the sustainability of their capital improvements and equipment purchases. In the last five years, TRF has focused its expertise on developing clean energy projects and technologies in a way that brings affordable and financially viable options such as solar, wind and quality energy efficiency projects to market.

TRF is also responsible for administering the Sustainable Development Fund, a $32 million energy fund created by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in its final order in the PECO Energy electric utility restructuring proceeding.

All told, TRF has financed more than 2,526 projects, delivering $939 million in capital to projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

For more information on how the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is creating jobs and making green energy projects a reality, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

Ambler, PA — Ambler Borough received two grants to restore and expand the natural forested area along the banks of Rose Valley Creek where it flows through Borough Park. Out of six parks in Ambler, Borough Park is the only natural park. TreeVitalize and Merck & Co. Inc. funds are supplying trees, contractors and engineering, while the community is supplying the majority of the ideas and volunteer labor.

“The first phase of the project is almost completed – removing the invasive species,” said Susan Curry, volunteer coordinator for the project. “Now, we want to gather ideas from people who live near or visit the park about how the park should look, what features it should have, and how it can be used and maintained,” she continued. A meeting for collecting community input is scheduled for Saturday, February 20 at Borough Hall from 9:00 AM to noon. Anyone who cannot make the meeting may phone their input into 215-591-1551.

“They were unstoppable,” said Ms. Curry of the nearly fifty volunteers late last October who removed a third of the invasive plants that were choking parts of a 4-acre area of the park. The most common invasive plant species removed were Japanese knotweed, multi flora rose, Empress tree, Tree of heaven, privet and Norway Maple. Invasive species tend to crowd out native species and do not provide the same amount of food and shelter or habitat for native insects, birds, fish and other animals that native plants provide.

The community effort was organized by the Ambler Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), and involved volunteers from Wissahickon High School Key Club, Ambler Tree Tenders, the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, VolunteerMatch, Briar Bush Nature Center, and neighbors of the park. “Eventually we see a rain garden, new wildflower meadows, benches, and meandering paths on both sides of the creek. This will really expand the area that residents can enjoy,” said Ms. Minich.

Phase three starts April 9, 10 and 11, when over 100 community volunteers will be needed to dig holes, then plant 300 trees and shrubs, apply mulch and water, and erect deer fencing. “Trees are especially important to help hold the soil and slow down storm waters that are flooding the park more frequently,” said Nancy Minich, landscape architect of NAM Design and Planning who is overseeing all phases of the work to be done in Borough Park. Trees will be planted in a pattern that will widen the riparian buffer along the stream. A riparian buffer is a vegetated area between the banks of a stream and the land area back from the banks.

In Borough Park, the existing buffer is often less than 10’ from the banks. This project will expand the buffer to a width of 50’ or more wherever feasible. According to Ms Minich, “Wider riparian buffers help to improve water quality by filtering pollution before it reaches the creek, and also improve flood management by slowing down runoff. Those are the primary benefits in the eyes of our funders. We imagine that the park will be more aesthetic while providing more natural services when the project is finished.”

A parallel initiative of Ambler Environmental Advisory Council is currently encouraging Ambler Borough to adopt four new ordinances that will be more protective of steep slopes, wetlands, floodplains, wood lands and riparian buffers.

Rose Valley Creek begins in Upper Dublin, and flows through Borough Park before it eventually joins the Wissahickon Creek. The recently increased frequency of high volume storms has increased erosion in the park. “We hope to prevent further erosion which causes sediment problems further down stream with our new plantings,” offered Ms. Curry.

A group called the “Friends of Borough Park” is forming to continue the care and stewardship of the park in the future. On-going efforts will be needed to keep the park clear of invasive plants and to continue to improve amenities. If interested in joining “Friends of Borough Park”, contact Susan Curry, 215-591-1551, or suscurry@comcast.net.

The Ambler Green Committee is part of the Ambler Main Street Business Association. The Green Committee works toward helping local businesses pursue green initiatives and earth-friendly practices.

You do not need to be a resident of Ambler to participate. The Committee is in need of volunteers. Please contact us for further information.

Meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be:
February 4, 1:00 PM
The Ambler Theater
108 East Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA

Energy Star and LEED EBOM: A Toolkit for Existing Buildings, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 8:30 AM — 10:30 AM

Building Owners and Managers are currently faced with the challenge of making their existing buildings more energy efficient, while keeping a close eye on capital expenditures in an unstable economy. There are tools available to help you get started, but which ones should you be using? Energy Star? LEED? This session will demonstrate how both of these tools are an important part of your toolkit and how you can use them to achieve favorable results. Andrew Kreider from the EPA will give you an overview of Energy Star Portfolio Manager, and Bill Craig from Re:Vision Architecture will review how LEED EBOM (Existing Building, Operations & Maintenance) tackles energy efficiency, and beyond. Marla Thalheimer, Sustainability Manager from Liberty Property Trust will provide an example of how Liberty is using these tools to measure, set goals and track the results throughout their portfolio. Together well look at the advantages, the differences, and how they work together to ultimately create a high performance building.

Where: Temple University Center City (TUCC), 1515 Market Street, Room 222

Recycling Tools for Schools K-12 Workshop: Collect It, Haul It, Recycle It!, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 8:00 AM — 12:30 PM

The Green Schools Circle of DVGBC presents this informative workshop for teachers, students, school administrators, community members, and everyone else to come share ideas, recycling program success stories, and bring it back to YOUR SCHOOL!

Where: Chester County Intermediate Unit Conference Center, 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA

Workers are in the process of removing six underground storage tanks at the abandoned former Malcolm’s gas station and auto repair facility in Warrington, Pa. to make way for a Recovery Act-funded project to determine possible contamination at the property.
In August 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency distributed $6.16 million in Recovery Act funding to Pennsylvania to assess and clean up underground storage tank petroleum leaks. The abandoned Malcolm’s gas station, located at 994 Easton Rd., will be assessed for soil and groundwater pollution. The project is being funded because the responsible parties are unable or unwilling to conduct the cleanup.

“This project is a prime example of how Recovery Act funding is helping local communities address environmental threats,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “For a small amount of money, we can make a significant, positive impact on improving the environment. This work also paves the way for redevelopment and future job creation.”

The greatest potential hazard from a leaking underground storage tank is that petroleum or other hazardous substances seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly one-third of all Americans.

Under a cooperative agreement with EPA, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) will manage the project. In 2002 PADEP inspected the underground storage tanks at Malcolm’s and found a multitude of violations including the failure to install and maintain equipment to prevent releases and the failure to conduct regular leak detection on six underground storage tanks, including one 500-gallon tank that is still full of used oil and sludge from the auto repair side of the gas station. The other tanks (two 4,000-gallon tanks and three 6,000-gallon tanks) which held gasoline, diesel and kerosene, have already been removed and were empty. The tanks are between 20 and 30 years old and are made of bare steel, which is subject to corrosion.

The gas station owner failed to install the required leak detection equipment and abandoned the site shortly after the 2002 inspection.

After all the tanks are removed, PADEP will sample the surrounding soil and groundwater to determine if petroleum products have been released to the environment, and the nature and extent of any contamination.

The tank removal and site assessment are being conducted by PADEP through local certified contractors. The work is expected to provide two to five temporary jobs and will cost approximately $75,000. The results of the initial assessment will help determine the scope and cost of the cleanup phase to follow.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Feb. 17, and has directed the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at www.Recovery.gov. As part of the Recovery Act, $200 million was allocated for cleanup of petroleum leaks from underground storage tanks.

NORRISTOWN – County employees looking to recycle the soda can they just emptied or the cardboard box that a delivery just came in will no longer have to go looking for a way to do it starting next week.

Employees who work in the Court House, One Montgomery Plaza and the Human Services center will begin using a single desk-side container for all recycling beginning December 1, 2009.

Through a contract with Waste Management, Montgomery County buildings will now be offered a ‘Single Stream’ recycling collection method.

This method will allow the employee to throw aluminum and tin cans, plastic narrow necked bottles #1-7, glass food and beverage containers, newsprint, paperboard, office paper, junk mail and cardboard all in the same bin.

Single Stream recycling will help the County workforce recycle more which in turn will have a positive effect on the environment and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“We want to have 100 percent participation,” Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Jim Matthews said.

“In these economic times, we’re struggling to keep our costs flat and recycling is one of the easiest things employees can do,” Matthews said. “Recycling means less waste, lower tipping fees and, hopefully, a small return on the materials.”

Society as a whole benefits as well, said Chris Kaasmann, Montgomery County’s Recycling Coordinator.

“The energy it takes for 1 aluminum soda can to be recycled is approximately 95% less than what it would take to make a can from virgin materials,” Kaasmann said.

Employees are being asked to sign a pledge to reuse and recycle as much as they can at all times in the work place.

“By signing the pledge each employee becomes accountable for the waste they produce. Hopefully, this will make them think twice about where that water bottle or piece of paper goes after it leaves their hand,” Kaasmann said.

A new educational recycling campaign is underway. It includes new stickers on all bins, educational posters and a team of County employees dubbed ‘Recycling Liaisons.’

These liaisons will work with all County employees and encourage them to do the right thing by recycling correctly.

Those visiting County buildings such as the Courthouse will also be able to take advantage of the ‘Single Stream’ recycling method. Bins located in break rooms, common areas and kitchens will contain recycling bins for the public. Bins in these areas were provided by a grant through the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) and ALCOA Aluminum. For more information on this program and other recycling inquiries, please contact the Montgomery County Recycling Hotline at (610) 278-3618.

Perkasie, Pennsylvania (based on an AP news release) — Although it is environmentally responsible to dry clothing by hanging it out on a line, many local municipalities and homeowner’s associations are attempting to ban the practice.

There are no laws in Perkasie against drying laundry outside; however, a town official called Carin Froehlich and ask her to stop drying clothes in the sun. She received two anonymous notes from neighbors saying they did not want to see her underwear flapping about.

“They said it made the place look like trailer trash. They said they didn’t want to look at my ‘unmentionables.’”

“If my husband has a right to have guns in the house, I have a right to hang laundry,” said Froehlich, who is writing a book on the subject.