Two Pennsylvania companies were among 10 this year to receive an Energy Star Small Business Award for their efforts to conserve energy and prevent pollution.
Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, awarded Pine Forest Camps in Greely, and Priority Communications in DuBois, where owner Joe Philippone saved an estimated $11,700 as a result of changes in lighting and heating.
Pine Forest Camps operates three camps in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, and Director Mickey Black wanted to lower the costs of the camp’s operations, especially for electricity and propane. Black worked with the Environmental Management Assistance Program to find efficiencies in lighting, water and pool heating, and food refrigeration. After reductions of more than 31,000 kWh of electricity and 4,000 gallons of propane, representing a reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions of over 50 tons (the equivalent CO2 emissions from the electricity use of six homes) Black reported nearly $13,000 in savings in annual energy costs.
Both small businesses were clients of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers’ Environmental Management Assistance Program, which provides small businesses in Pennsylvania with free energy efficiency consulting services.
Two Pennsylvania businesses received Energy Star awards in 2007: Central PA Settlement LLC in Bedford, and Sendell Motors Inc. Greensburg.
Source: Energy Star, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
Writer: John Davidson
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