FOCUS ON ENERGY eNewsletter
December 2021

Happy Holidays!  Enjoy a safe and happy New Year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Funding is still available for the following DEP programs:

• Small Business Advantage Grant for energy efficiency or pollution prevention projects
• Agricultural Energy Efficiency Rebate for ag producers
• DC Fast Charging and Hydrogen Fueling Grant program is open and accepting applications until 1/31/2022

ARTICLES

PA Conservative Energy Forum Supports Solar Energy Development As Economic Driver And Benefit To Landowners

Millions Of Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Spread Illegally On Dirt Roads, Companies Fail To Comply With DEP Waste Regulations

The cost of this year’s 10 worst climate disasters: $170 billion

https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/12/28/climate-disaster-2021-cost-170-billion-dollars-10-worst-disasters/stories/202112280023

Sunbury Daily Item: Are we ready for wind? (LTE)

https://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/are-we-ready-for-wind/article_6bc8df32-6435-11ec-a447-3ba311ce38ba.html

What’s behind the increases in your utility bills? Everything but fuel cost

https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/12/20/What-s-behind-the-increases-in-your-utility-bills-Everything-but-fuel-cost/stories/202112190047

Lawmakers consider bill to account for cleanup when developing renewable energy projects

https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2021/12/23/lawmakers-consider-bill-to-account-for-cleanup-when-developing-renewable-energy-projects/

Bloomsburg Press Enterprise: Two municipalities approve regulation of solar energy

https://www.pressenterpriseonline.com/daily/122221/page/1/story/two-municipalities-approve-regulation-of-solar-energy

 

2021 Initiatives By The Biden Administration, Congress Make Historic Investments In Cleaning Up PA’s Environment; How To Invest $11 Billion Remains Up In The Air  [PaEN]

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2021/12/in-2021-action-by-biden-administration.html

 

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency | ENERGY STAR

WEBINARS, EVENTS & TRAINING 

U.S. DOE Better Buildings Webinar Series

To browse all upcoming webinars, see the calendar view. To explore past webinars, click here.

• 1/11/2022, GLASS HALF-FULL: HOW WATER REDUCTION SUPPORTS RESILIENCY, COST SAVINGS, AND OCCUPANT HEALTH at 11am
• 2/1/2022, PV VALUATION: HOW SOLAR PV ADDS VALUE TO YOUR ASSETS at 11am
• 2/15/2022, SHELTER FROM THE STORM: POWERING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE HUBS at 11am
• 3/1/2022, WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER: CREATIVE PROJECT AND PROCESS IMPLEMENTATION at 11am
• 3/15/2022, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOLAR: STATE OF THE MARKET AND SOLAR LEASE BEST PRACTICES at 11am
• 4/15/2022, LOW CARBON TECHNOLOGIES: STRATEGIES FOR DIFFERENT BUILDING TYPES at 11am

Register for upcoming events: https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/better-buildings-webinar-series

 

ENERGY STAR webinars, January 2022 (free but registration required)

◦ January 5, 2022, 12:00pm, Portfolio Manager 101

◦ January 6, 2022, 1:00pm, Updated 1-100 ENERGY STAR Score for Medical Office Buildings

◦ January 10, 2022, 1:00pm, Building Performance Standards and Ways to Meet Them

◦ January 11, 2022, 12:00pm, Portfolio Manager 201

◦ January 18, 2022, 1:00pm, Streamline Portfolio Manager Data Entry with Web Services

◦ January 18, 2022, 1:30pm, Energy Benchmarking as a Service with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

◦ January 19, 2022, 12:00pm, Portfolio Manager 301

Register, go to:  https://esbuildings.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=esbuildings&service=6

 

Test Your Energy Awareness!
Answer to last month’s question:

How much can you save using LED lights on your Christmas tree vs. traditional incandescent lights?

1. 20-30%
2. 50-60%
3. 80-90%

80-90% is correct

This Month’s Question:
True or False.

Most electric vehicle (EV) charging takes place along a highway.

(answer to this month’s question will appear in next month’s eNewsletter)

Disclaimer: DEP is listing these articles and websites for your information only and is not endorsing any commercial product, service, enterprise, or opinion included in this email.

I am the DEP Northcentral region energy program specialist with DEP’s Energy Programs Office.  We are the Commonwealth’s state energy office, and receive annual funding from the Federal Department of Energy’s State Energy Program for a variety of initiatives.  My intention in providing these eNewsletters is to share information on topics including energy efficiency, energy management, alternative & renewable energy, and related topics that may be of interest and help in management of your facility.  I will also share information on energy-related studies and policies, and funding announcements.

Please feel free to reply and let me know if you have suggestions, questions or items you want to have listed in next month’s newsletter.  Also let me know if you would prefer not to receive these e-mail messages. Thank you.

 

Michelle Ferguson | Energy Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection | Energy Programs Office
North Central Regional Office
208 West Third Street Suite 101 | Williamsport PA 17701
Phone: 570.327.3783
miferguson@pa.gov

 

One of the great treasurers of Selinsgrove Borough is Little Norway II outdoor ice skating rink. We all know the season is very much dependent on freezing cold weather to keep the ice intact. We hope to have the chance to enjoy this outdoor treasure in the 2021-2022 winter season.
The other thing the skating season is dependent on is VOLUNTEERS! If you are interested in volunteering in the cozy skate shack to put wood on the fire, sell the snacks/drinks, & assist with cleaning snow off the ice (as needed), please contact the Borough office at 570-374-2311 or via email at borough@selinsgrove.org.
ICE SKATES ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY SIZES TO BORROW.   MONETARY DONATIONS TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION ARE ALWAYS WELCOME IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE WELL WORN PAIRS AS WELL AS ADD MORE SIZES.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Please watch the WNEP video to help spread the word.

Grease dumped down drain and “flushable” wipes flushed down the drain can be an unforeseen major expense when it comes to your pipes or your neighbor down the street.  Please be responsible and dispose of grease and wipes in the trash.

FOOD PREPARATION FACILITIES: This is the time of year to get your grease logs turned in to the Borough Office.  All logs should be turned in by December 17, 2021.  If you need a copy of the Grease Log, please stay on our website and go to “Codes”, “Applications & Forms” to print one. 

GELNETT TRUST GRANT REQUESTS—ALL APPLICANTS

There will be a mandatory meeting concerning applications made to the Gelnett Trust by all applicants.  The meeting will tentatively be held October 4^th at 3:00PM in the Borough Council Chambers at the Borough Building located at 1 N. High Street, Selinsgrove.  Please be sure to check the Borough website calendar for any updates in regards to date or time.  www.selinsgrove.org (under “Information”)

There will be a welcome with introductions, a brief history of the Gelnett Trust, an overview of the application process, and requirements for supporting documentation.

 

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

NOTICE  is hereby  given that the Council  of the Borough  of Selinsgrove, Snyder  County, Pennsylvania, intends  to hold a special  meeting  at the Borough  Council  Chambers, Selinsgrove Community Building, 1 North High Street, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, on Monday, July 19, 2021,  at 7:00  P.M., to hold a public hearing on amendments to the Selinsgrove Flood Plain Ordinance and other lawful business that may come before it.

Lauren Martz,
Selinsgrove Borough Secretary

To participate in the Council Meeting, please contact the Borough Office to pre-register prior to 3PM the day of the meeting.

Floodplain Ordinance Draft 854