Next Great City: Volume V, Issue III

ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT GETS BOOST FROM OBAMA 

President Barack Obama was in Pennsylvania last week to tour the research labs at Penn State. Penn State will lead the Energy Innovation Hub for Energy Efficient Buildings at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. In his remarks, the President announced the Better Buildings Initiative, which aims to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings throughout the country by 20 percent by 2020. As one of three federally-funded Energy Innovation Hubs, the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC) for Energy Efficient Buildings will be a living laboratory for energy-efficient building system technology development and integration. Proven successful technologies that come out of the project can then be implemented nationwide - decreasing the country's energy use, increasing its energy security, and creating jobs.

CITY INSTALLS FIRST SOLAR ARRAY

The City of Philadelphia is putting underused land to work to meet the Greenworks goal of purchasing or generating 20% of Philadelphia's electricity from alternative energy sources by 2015. By installing a 250 kW solar photovoltaic system on over an acre of unused land at the Water Department's Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant, the City will create enough renewable energy to power 28 homes.

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR CITY-FUNDED ENERGY AUDITS

This time last year Mayor Nutter announced the GreenWorks Small Business Energy Efficiency Rebate program, through which the Commerce Department would provide rebates to Philadelphia businesses for up to a 50% of the cost of energy improvements to their buildings or equipment, up to $10,000.

In order to qualify for these funds, applicants must submit an energy assessment or audit showing the improvements meet required energy efficiency guidelines. To make the process easier for applicants, the City offered to provide professional audits for qualified businesses intending to apply for the rebate.

Time is running up to take advantage of this offer. Applications for a City-funded energy audit are due this Friday, February 11 at 5 p.m. The City will continue to take full rebate applications after this date, but audit applications collected after February 11 will only be considered if audit funds become available. Businesses wishing to apply are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Please contact Jeremy Thomas  for more information about the program.

SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT AND EARN MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Wawa, NBC 10 and the law firm of Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP want to help you with environmental programs at your school! If you have an idea for an environment program that enhances quality of life in your community, tell them about it by applying for the Environmental Community Service Award. One high school and one middle school will receive $5000 each to support their project. Applications are due on February 25 and should be sent to public.relations@wawa.com.

EPA SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANTS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting grant applications for $1.2 million in funding to support projects designed to research, educate, empower and enable communities to understand and address local health and environmental issues.  Grants are available to support projects that address a community's local environmental issues through collaborative partnerships or to support research on the environmental and human health impacts of exposure to multiple sources of pollution in communities. More information on eligibility and how to apply is available online.

NEWS 

• Telecommuting is almost always a greener option
• Electric cars at Philly Auto Show
• Ride the Ducks offers new safety measures
• Preservation group gets title to SS United States
• Regional produce market move means big things in Southwest Philly
• Green laundry opens on South Street.
• Vacant lots in Kensington will be blooming this spring
• Dr. Green helps you shop for electricity
• SEPTA will borrow from PIDC to install smart-card fare system
• Collaborative effort nets $1.3M to complete the Manayunk Bridge trail
• Mariposa Food Co-op expansion continues
• Light bulbs are changing fast.
• Should duck boats be on the Schuylkill? City doesn't think so.

EVENTS

• Wednesday, February 9, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Neighborhood Networks: Connect with your neighbors, change the world at AFSCME District Council 47, 1606 Walnut St, 3rd Fl.
• Wednesday, February 9, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - Meet the Farmer at Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe at 21st & Fairmount Sts.
• Thursday, February 10, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Volunteer Get-Together at Murphy's Irish Saloon at 3333 Conrad St.
• Saturday, February 12, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Up on the Roof: The Legalese Behind Green Roofs at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center at 100 N. Horticulture Dr.
• Wednesday, February 16, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Sustainable Living in Northwest Philadelphia at PCAT at 2111 Eastburn Ave.
• Wednesday, February 16, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. -Green Cities, Clean Waters Community Meeting at the Community Academy of Philadelphia at 11 E. Erie Ave.
• Thursday, February 17, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Community Design Collaborative Urban Energy Kickoff at the Center for Architecture at 1218 Arch St.
• Thursday, February 17, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Green from the Start at the Academy of Natural Sciences at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
• Saturday, February 19, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. -Second Annual Energy Fair at Kensington CAPA High School at Front & Montgomery Sts.