Relevant

Lancaster:  After a year of extensive research, along with a survey that calculated what motivated businesses to take steps toward sustainability, The Chamber will launch two comprehensive green and sustainable certification programs in April. It will also be holding informational sessions about this program on April 3 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (1.5 hour sessions throughout day) at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Visit www.lancasterchamber.com then "Calendar of Events" or contact Martia Skacel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 717.397.3531 for more information.

"We recognize that going green is more than a trend," commented Cheryl Irwin, vice president of The Chamber. "Through these certification programs, our members at all levels and from any industry can receive recognition for their efforts to work greener and become more sustainable." Green Seal Certification Program. This new pilot program is for any organization looking for guidance and technical assistance to start implementing green practices into their business. The Lancaster Chamber is the first chamber of commerce in the United States to offer this certification program.

In partnership with North Carolina's Institute for Sustainable Development, this program is designed to provide businesses with affordable access to tools and information to improve their bottom-line while becoming more sustainable, and to help them receive recognition from their customers and their community for their effort (http://gogreenplus.wordpress.com/isd-certification).  "Participants do a self-assessment of their organization," commented Irwin. "The results determine whether they pass or fail the certification process. They then have six months to make the necessary adjustments and retake the self-assessment test. Participants who pass are certified for two years and recognized as a 'green' business."

To learn about the Green Plus program, visit www.lancasterchamber.com then "Go Green" or contact Marita Skacel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 717.397.3531.

Ithaca:  DLtech, Inc. has a very good website that offers a Dairy Energy Management Guide.  Information about dairy mechanical systems, their function and efficiencies, along with comparisons to other dairy farms are provided here. Take a look at the kWh per cow per year values. Find out how one dairy can use 75% less energy to milk a cow than another. Find out about ventilation fans that move more air than other fans for the same input electrical energy consumption.

This site is loaded with information.  Click here to access the site.

Harrisburg:  You can improve the energy efficiency of your home with special financing and rebates for ENERGY STAR® rated and high efficiency heating, air conditioning, air sealing, insulation, windows, doors, geothermal and "whole house" improvements using Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®.  Save Energy, Save Money with Keystone HELP®, Pennsylvania's special program to make energy efficiency opportunities available to the Commonwealth's homeowners.

With the Keystone HELP® Energy Efficiency Loan & Rebate Program, most Pennsylvania homeowners who meet the program's eligibility guidelines can get a low cost loan or a rebate for energy-saving eligible improvements installed by a Keystone HELP® Approved Contractor.  Qualifying homeowners can get the lowest cost financing and a $325 cash energy audit credit for energy-saving "whole house" improvements performed by a Keystone HELP® Trained or Certified Contractor implementing the recommendations of a Certified Auditor who has conducted a comprehensive energy audit of your home. 

For more information, contact us at (888) 232-3477 or click here.

Who should attend?  State and local government officials, business owners, financial institutions, builders, developers, code officials, economic development professionals, and community organizations will all find this conference of interest.

For more information, click here.

The Pennsylvania Chamber- renowned for its effective compliance assistance programs-presents the preeminent environmental event of the year on April 7-8, 2009 at the Eden Resort Inn and Suites in Lancaster.  Experience six new learning tracks over two days to meet the challenging demands of today's environmental programs:

• Energy Strategies
• Renewable & Alternate Energy
• Sustainability & Green Issues
• Water and Spill Clean Up
• Clean Air and Carbon Emissions
• Environmental Waste Issues

Plus

• Climate Change Keynote
• Hazardous Waste, Residual Waste, Clean Air, and Water 101 Basics
• How to Conduct a Greenhouse Gas Audit and Inventory

Get details on the latest regulatory changes and proposed changes. Visit with more than 50 exhibitors offering an exciting array of advanced technology solutions and mini educational sessions. And access more than 300 other environmental managers facing similar issues.

Please see the agenda tab for full details on the speakers and topics...http://www.pachamber.org/www/conferences/conference.php?ID=0910.

For further information on this event, please contact Sue Smith at 717-720-5457 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Cost is $575 for the entire conference.