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In partnership with local artists, five painted rain barrels will be on display through Sunday November 8.  Please stop by Building Character, Carmen and Davids Creamery, Chestnut Hill Cafe, Livinglight Galleries and Mommalicious to learn more about rain barrels and their role in preventing storm water pollution.  The painted barrels will be available through auction to the highest bidder with all proceeds going toward supporting LIVE Green’s rain barrel workshops.  Participating artists include Heather Heilman Loercher, Libby Modern, Patricia A. Renna, Mary Schroeder,  and Debbie Serdy.

The Sustainable Energy Fund , with funding from PPL Electric Utilities, are partnering to offer one-time grants for motivated small businesses located in the PPL service territory with projects that will reduce electric consumption.

The goal of the Small Business Energy Efficiency grant is to provide funding for energy efficient projects that are cost effective and with quantifiable savings.

For full grant details Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant RFP, for the  Energy Efficiency Grant Application.

LIVE Green was recently featured in two local news reports.

WGAL ran ‘Troubled Waters: What Can You Do To Reduce Pollution?’ a  segment that emphasizes the impact rain gardens and rain barrels can have on reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.

WGAL Newslink

Lancaster Newspapers published this segment that explains the LIVE Green Rain Barrel program and workshops.

Gov. Rendell Opens Solar Energy Rebate Program for Homeowners, Small Businesses

Thousands of Pennsylvania homeowners and small business owners eager to slash or even eliminate their electricity bills will be able to install new solar technologies at a discount of up to 45 percent, thanks to a new program Governor Edward G. Rendell opened today.

The PA Sunshine Solar Program will provide $100 million in rebates to help fund solar electric and hot water projects, reimbursing eligible consumers up to 35 percent of the purchase and installation costs of solar energy technology. For an application or more information, visit PA Sunshine Program.

In combination with federal tax credits, consumers could reduce system costs by 45 percent.

The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns, with a special focus on the United States. All the stuff in our lives, beginning from the extraction of the resources to make it, through its production, sale, use and disposal, affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.  See www.storyofstuff.com for the full video.

watch a short clip  here.

Lancaster County Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy www.lancastercountyrenewableenergy.com It is the mission of the Lancaster County Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy to see that Lancaster County employers remain competitive in an era of rapid change in the energy marketplace.  The Center does this by supporting education regarding energy conservation and energy options; encouraging collaboration among area companies to conserve, buy, and sell energy; and sponsoring technology transfer to encourage renewable energy generation projects.  Check this site often in the coming months to learn more about the many emerging opportnities for businesses and residents in renewable energy.

LancasterRoofGreening.org  is live
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The partners of the Lancaster Roof Greening project are excited to announce the launch of the Lancaster Roof Greening Web site.  The site will provide updates on implementation of green roofs in Lancaster County.

LIVE Green, one of the partners, has been working with the Lancaster County Planning Commission with funding from the Department of Environmental Protection Energy Harvest Fund. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the many benefits of roof greening while developing the capacity of local businesses to respond to increased demand for this innovative technology.

Department of Environmental Protection acting Secretary John Hanger is proud to announce the Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program to help families save money by conserving energy at home.

The program is available through the Alternative Energy Investment Fund, part of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Energy Independence Strategy.

The new $17 million Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program offers a range of low-interest rate loans and rebate options that encourage cost-effective energy savings. The program will assist residents seeking air sealing and insulation services, or installing high-efficiency equipment, such as heating and cooling systems, water heaters, programmable thermostats, windows and doors.

Applications and program guidelines are available at www.keystonehelp.com. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2009. For more information, please contact residentialenergy@state.pa.us.

The first state program with incentives for greener construction was rolled-out January 12:  the Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant is here!  The PA Dept of Environmental Protection (PADEP) will be managing the program.  Here is a quick lowdown:

How Much: Grant of up to $25,000 or 25% of the total cost, whichever is LESS.  Works on a reimbursement basis.

Eligible Projects: Energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings (windows, doors, insulation);  energy efficient lighting;  high efficiency furnaces, boilers and air conditioners;  geothermal heat pumps; energy efficient refrigeration;  energy efficient manufacturing process equipment.

Project Requirements:

• MUST show energy savings of at least 20 % for the system being replaced; or represent at least 20 % of the entire business’ energy consumption.
• MUST save at least $1,000 / year in energy costs.
• Business must register in EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager Program.
• Reimbursement form must be sent in once project is complete.
• One Year Follow-Up Report is required, showing energy savings.

Eligible Applicants:

SMALL BUSINESSES located within PA – for-profit business enterprise that is:

• Corporation
• LLC
• Partnership
• Sole proprietorship
• Or other legal business entity that has no more than 100 full-time employees

Ineligible Applicants:

• Non-profit and tax-exempt organizations.
• Residential rental units and dwellings.

Grant available only from January 12^th to May 1^st, 2009 !

Thanks to the PA Environmental Council www.pecpa.org for their efforts in diceminating this information.

Educating city residents about stormwater management

Educating city residents about the benefits of composting

Changing the climate in city homes

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Facilitate the installation of vegetated or “green” roofs in the City of Lancaster and surrounding County

Working toward environmentally preferable practices in procurement, operations, and facility management.