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HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept 07, 2006 /PRNewswire
Governor Edward G. Rendell today awarded 64 grants totaling $373,554 to help small businesses enhance energy efficiency and promote pollution prevention. "These grants help Pennsylvania's small businesses become more energy efficient, cut waste and prevent pollution. By investing in innovative technologies and processes, we are making our economy more sustainable, our small business community more competitive and our nation, ultimately, more secure." The grants, awarded under the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, provide a 50 percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes to reduce energy consumption and promote pollution prevention while increasing profitability. Governor Rendell launched the program in July 2004, and since then more than $2 million has been awarded to almost 450 businesses across the state. "Environmental protection can drive economic growth," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said while announcing the grant awards at the Harrisburg office of dentists Peter Friedman and Steven Grater. "Pennsylvania small businesses are leading the way to help showcase the benefits of greater energy efficiency and better resource stewardship." Friedman and Grater are using a $7,500 grant to invest in digital radiography and related equipment, which will replace their practice's conventional X-ray equipment and processes. The equipment will reduce emissions of radiation by up to 80 percent and eliminate the costs to purchase and dispose of potentially hazardous chemicals to develop film. Digital radiography equipment reduces consumption of electricity by more than 90 percent as compared to conventional equipment and sharply reduces water consumption. The doctors estimate annual utility savings of $1,400 for electricity, $160 for water and $189 for sewage. Friedman and Grater expect to reduce costs associated with processing film and free up office space dedicated to a dark room. The added clarity of digital images also improves clinical decision-making and patient education. The Small Business Advantage Grant Program is open to small business owners whose business or facility is located in Pennsylvania. An eligible applicant must be a for-profit business enterprise that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity that has no more than 100 employees and is a separate legal business entity at the time the application is submitted. Applicants may be manufacturers or service providers. Funding is still available for the program. Grant applications will be accepted through Dec. 15 or until funds are exhausted. The grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications for the Small Business Advantage Grant Program can be downloaded from DEP's Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword: "SBAdvantage." To receive an application package by mail, call 717-783-8411 or e-mail the department at epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us. The Small Business Advantage Grant Program is part of Governor Rendell's larger effort to put policies and financial tools in place to promote advanced energy projects in the state. Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, one of the most progressive in the nation, ensures that 18 percent of all retail energy generated by 2020 comes from clean, efficient and advanced resources. The Governor recently redoubled the commonwealth's "green" electricity commitment to 20 percent, making Pennsylvania the largest state purchaser of green electricity in the nation. Clean energy builds substantially on the state's leadership in wind production east of the Mississippi, with wind sources providing enough clean energy to power some 70,000 homes. Because of that leadership, Governor Rendell was able to lead a campaign to land the Spanish wind-energy company Gamesa Corp., the second largest wind energy company in the world, beating out many other vying states. With its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia and manufacturing facilities in Bucks and Cambria counties, Gamesa represents an $84 million investment in the state that will create as many as 1,000 jobs over five years. The commonwealth is leading in other areas of advanced energy development, creating jobs and cleaning up the environment while putting indigenous resources to work. Governor Rendell's "PennSecurity Fuels Initiative" will produce and use 900 million gallons annually of clean, domestic fuel -- an amount equivalent to what the state is expected to import from the Persian Gulf 10 years from now. The Governor is investing $30 million over the next five years to build re-fueling and production infrastructure to support wide distribution of the alternative fuels. Pennsylvania very well could be the nation's leading producer of biodiesel within the year, going from practically nowhere a year ago to a projected 40 million gallons of annual production. The state already is home to the East Coast's first, state-of-the-art, biofuels injection facility, which opened last fall with $220,000 in state aid. The plant will replace 3.2 million gallons of foreign oil with domestically produced biodiesel and keep at home $6 million worth of energy dollars by reducing the state's need to purchase imported fuels. The nation's first coal gasification-liquefaction plant is being built in northeastern Pennsylvania. The facility will use waste coal to produce 40 million gallons of clean-burning diesel fuel each year. What the Governor is doing to support the project is unprecedented, creating a fuel consortium with private industry to purchase nearly all of the offtake. Pennsylvania will lock in its supply for some 10 years at prices well below current market values and ensure a long-term, viable market for the plant. Pennsylvanians now spend some $30 billion per year on imported energy fuels. Instead of spending overseas, Governor Rendell is investing at home and putting Pennsylvanians to work. Brought back to life after years of inactivity, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority has awarded $15 million in grants and loans for 41 clean energy projects that will leverage $200 million in private investment. The projects will create 1,558 permanent and construction jobs. The Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program has awarded $15.9 million and leveraged another $43.7 million in private funds since its inception in May 2003 for projects using sources such as wind, solar, biomass, waste coal and recycled energy. For more information on these initiatives, visit DEP's Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword: "Energy." The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us. EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a list by county of the $373,554 awarded in Small Business Advantage Grants. ADAMS COUNTY D. Wetzel Trucking - $4,523 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Sheppard Enterprises Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. ALLEGHENY COUNTY Prologue Services LLC - $7,500 to upgrade clothes-cleaning technology to conserve water and decrease use of conventional dry-cleaning equipment. Coby Miller - $4,688 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Ruby's Cleaners of Mount Lebanon - $7,500 to purchase and install dry- cleaning equipment that reduces use of perchloroethylene and reduces hazardous waste generation. BLAIR COUNTY Fozard Enterprises LLC - $7,500 to purchase and install a high-efficiency hydronic boiler and heating system. BUTLER COUNTY Freeport Transport Ltd. - $5,300 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Stuckey Enterprises - $6,125 to purchase and install upgraded lighting with individual motion sensors to control fixtures and conserve energy. CHESTER COUNTY Stargazer's Vineyard - $7,500 to purchase and install photovoltaic solar power to conserve energy and to provide local power generation. Scott M. Wallace DDS LLC - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. C.J. Cats - $5,073 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Alan Levine Trucking Co. - $5,048 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. CLEARFIELD COUNTY C.E. Wall Trucking - $4,700 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. CLINTON COUNTY Maxwell Furniture Store - $2,580 to purchase and install a high-efficiency hydronic boiler and heating system. CUMBERLAND COUNTY Dan W. Alleman, DDS - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. Fields Family Dentistry LLC - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. DAUPHIN COUNTY Friedman and Grater DMD PC - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. American Westech Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install dry-cleaning equipment that reduces use of perchloroethylene and reduces hazardous waste generation. DELAWARE COUNTY Transpower - $4,740 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. ERIE COUNTY Quick Clean - $6,090 to purchase and install high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water, and to decrease wastewater generation. Sara's Ice Cream Pub - $7,500 to purchase and install a high-efficiency chiller to conserve energy. FAYETTE COUNTY Ted Pettko - $7,500 to purchase and install high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water, and to decrease wastewater generation. Couch Trucking Co. - $7,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. JEFFERSON COUNTY R.D. Moyer Trucking, Inc. - $3,975 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Fyock Express - $3,975 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. JUNIATA COUNTY Destiny Trucking - $3,750 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. LACKAWANNA COUNTY Kelly Dental Care - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. P. Soltis-Hamilton DMD - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. LANCASTER COUNTY Shreiners Trucking LLC - $4,200 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. PrecisionForm Rivet Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install high-efficiency chiller to conserve energy. Tri-Town Laundry - $6,482 to purchase and install high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water, and to decrease wastewater generation. White Oak Mills Inc. - $3,177 to purchase and install upgraded lighting fixtures to conserve energy. Dilligaf Trucking Inc. - $4,998 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Slaymaker Trucking - $4,950 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. LAWRENCE COUNTY McKee Trucking - $3,923 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. LUZERNE COUNTY Louis A. Esa Trucking - $4,150 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Evolution Custom Coach - $3,900 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Cali Xpress Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. LYCOMING COUNTY Durand S. Carson II DSC II - $4,770 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Lehman Trucking - $622 to purchase and install a direct-fired bunk heater in long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. L&S Trucking - $4,825 to purchase and install a direct-fired bunk heater in long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. McKEAN COUNTY D.L. Lantz Trucking - $7,500 to purchase and install a waste-oil burner and furnace to conserve energy through use of alternate fuels. Bush Trucking - $4,297 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. MERCER COUNTY The Knickerbocker - $7,500 to purchase and install a high-efficiency hydronic boiler and heating system. MONTGOMERY COUNTY 6 Bits Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water, and to decrease wastewater generation. The Globe Inn - $3,672 to purchase and install high-efficiency heat pump and compact fluorescent lighting to conserve energy. J.R. Transport Inc. - $4,060 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Main Line Foot & Ankle Center - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. Dr. Jerald S. Matt - $7,500 to purchase and install a photovoltaic solar power system to conserve energy and to provide local power generation. Bala Oral Health Center - $2,320 to purchase and install a high-efficiency evacuator unit to conserve energy and water. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY U-Launder It - $7,500 to purchase and install high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy, water and decrease wastewater generation. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY Keystone Pallet and Recycling LLC - $7,500 to purchase portable recycling collection units. Resilite Sports Products Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. PERRY COUNTY DGL Trucking - $3,583 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. PHILADELPHIA COUNTY Sukoneck & Wilson PC - $7,500 to purchase and install digital radiography and related equipment to eliminate conventional X-ray equipment and processes. POTTER COUNTY Myrtle Leasing Co. - $4,250 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY J.B. Geist Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. SNYDER COUNTY Super Service Garage - $7,500 to purchase and install architectural insulation. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY Robert Heed - $3,750 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. WESTMORELAND COUNTY Product Evaluation Systems Inc. - $6,728 to purchase and install architectural insulation. Same Day Cleaners Inc. - $7,500 to purchase and install dry-cleaning equipment that reduces use of perchloroethylene and reduces hazardous waste generation. YORK COUNTY Wertz Trucking - $4,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Masonry Transport - $4,830 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Shumaker Trucking Co. - $7,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor News Provided By |
