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Green money: Fund supports projects that promote
energy efficiency. It has $22 million in assets
Jun 17 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Sam Kennedy The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa. After spending most of the decade in relative obscurity, the Sustainable Energy Fund is trying to raise its profile in the Lehigh Valley with a message both simple and alluring. SEF is a publicly funded nonprofit organization that provides low-interest loans and creative financing for energy-saving environmental projects. It was created through a negotiated settlement between PPL Corp. and the Public Utility Commission, when Pennsylvania deregulated the power industry in 1998. Funded by an electricity levy on PPL ratepayers, SEF of Central Eastern Pennsylvania has $22 million in assets. The money has helped erect windmills, install low-voltage traffic-light light-bulbs, build a "green" school and put a solar-heated water system in a physical therapy office. Those are some the success stories touted by SEF in its annual report. Yet, the overall impact on the 29-county region served by the organization has fallen short of expectations. In 2000, SEF's first director, Thomas J. Tuffey, spoke of using space technology. He said the organization's goal was to provide by 2010 alternative power for 10 percent to 15 percent of the energy demand in PPL's northeastern territory. With less than three years left in the decade, however, the organization's contribution thus far probably amounts to a fraction of a percent of PPL's demand, according to PPL. "Conceptually, it was a brilliant idea. It was ahead of its time," Alan Jennings, one of SEF's founding board members, said of the organization. But Jennings -- who heads another nonprofit, the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley -- eventually grew disillusioned. "It was slow to take off. I'm not aware of any significant outcomes since I left the board," he said. "The fact that I don't know anything about what they're doing suggests they aren't doing much or they're doing a lousy job of promoting it." Another founding board member, Eric Epstein, who is still with SEF, said it's a matter of promotion. "I think that's a fair criticism," he said. "We're trying to rectify that." Epstein was optimistic about SEF's future. "We've learned from our mistakes, like any start-up company." That, he said, means the organization is well-positioned to make the most of a new generation of opportunities. "The technology that is out there now is different not only because it has improved, but because it is affordable," he said. SEF, located in an office park suite near Lehigh Valley International Airport, came under new management a year ago. Jennifer Hopkins, an accountant with an extensive background in both the private sector and nonprofits, is the new director. Under Hopkins' leadership, SEF has laid the groundwork to award $7 million in financing over the next year, according to SEF project manager DeBias. That would be roughly half of the total during the organization's first seven years. DeBias, one of SEF's four staff members, said the ramp-up in activity is possible because of a new, more targeted approach to evaluating and selecting projects. "Now that we have these systems in place, we can get this money out," she said. sam.kennedy@mcall.com 610-820-6517 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUND OF CENTRAL EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA What: A non-profit organization that funds energy-saving environmental projects. Most financing is in the form of low-interest loans, though some grants have been awarded, as well. History: Created through a negotiated settlement between PPL Corp. and the Public Utility Commission, when Pennsylvania deregulated the power industry in 1998. It is one of four such organizations statewide -- one for each of the state's major electric utilities. Location: Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Staff: Four employees, including the director, plus one full-time contractor. Assets: $22 million. Web site: http://www.thesef.org . Source: Sustainable Energy Fund FROM WIND MILLS TO SOLAR The Sustainable Energy Fund has supported a variety of environmental initiatives. Some examples: WIND MILLS A $1.75 million loan helped cover the $31 million cost of the Bear Creek Wind Farm near Wilkes-Barre. The massive wind mills, towering above the crest of a hill, can supply enough energy to power 5,500 homes. LED TRAFFIC LIGHTS Pottsville switched to light emitting diode, or LED, traffic lights with the energy fund's help. The LED lights reduce electricity consumption by up to 90 percent, saving the city $16,000 a year. ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION A $500,000 million loan provided the seed money to build the Londonderry School, a certified "green" building designed to minimize energy consumption. The elementary school, located near Harrisburg, also features renewable materials, such as bamboo flooring. MICRO-LOANS The energy fund lent $8,500 to a physical therapy office for the installation of a solar-heated water system. Source: Sustainable Energy Fund |