News

Stay current on the latest news and information from ECA and on energy saving efforts in Pennsylvania.

New Programs Lead to Bachelor's Programs or Emerging Careers
02/03/2012

Community College of Philadelphia is offering five new programs that span a wide range of interests:

Building Science

Created in direct response to the high-demand career needs of the region, this degree program focuses on how to increase energy savings and reduce costs in existing residential and commercial buildings. You are prepared for a variety of careers in the energy conservation industry and related fields, such as energy auditor, renewable energy installer and designer, energy conservation installer and computer energy modeler.

Shedding light on all the new lightbulbs
02/03/2012


People are going bonkers about bulbs.

As my bulging voice mail and in-box attest after a Jan. 1 story about new efficiency standards for U.S. lighting, there's confusion aplenty.

Hundreds of bulb choices now exist, and with them new lingo to learn. So in this column I'll share some more practical tips for bulb-buying.

Nutter Announces EnergyWorks Inititative
02/03/2012

Health and Human Services releases more than $863 million to help low-income households with energy costs.
01/23/2012

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing more than $863 million today to grantees to help low-income households with their heating and other home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). HHS is releasing the remaining funds, made available by the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74), to states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia.

Federal Program used to conserve energy.
01/04/2012

Last winter, Andrew Kreider of Schuylkill realized that his family's oil bill was so "incredibly high" that they wouldn't be able to afford another season without an insulated home.



Kreider, who lives in a 65-year-old colonial home, had professional audits performed in the past that assessed his home's energy efficiency, but said he didn't have the right guidance to make any improvements.


U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Releases More Money to States for LIHEAP
12/29/2011

More than $845 million is being released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to states to help low-income households with their heating and home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The continuing resolution currently in place allows HHS to release these funds to states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia.

Tax Credit for Hiring Veterans Extended and Expanded
12/19/2011

EnergyWorks Home Energy Audits to include DOE Home Energy Score
12/08/2011

The Home Energy Score is a quick way for homeowners to understand how their home's energy performance compares to that of others in the same region. And, the Home Energy Score is more than just a simple label. Along with the label come customized recommendations for energy upgrades as well as an estimate of how much these improvements can reduce the homeowner's utility bills.

Review the following questions and answers to learn more about Home Energy Score.

GOOD NEWS FOR PGW CUSTOMERS
12/07/2011

Effective December 1st, PGW has decreased the natural gas rates for residential customers. The average residential heating customer will pay approximately 1.1 percent less per month for the next three months. Please see the attached press release for more information.

PGW is also committed to providing our customers with quality service and the most convenient ways to manage their account. Recently, PGW switched payment processors and now customers will find it even easier to pay their PGW bill, as well as see a cost savings. New payment features include:

EnergyWorks: First year success includes recognition as national model!
12/07/2011

The first year of the EnergyWorks program which resulted from planning, and belief by the Metro Caucaus that the region needed a regional energy efficiency program has been recognized with awards from PennFuture and the Delware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and cited as a national model by the Climate Leadership Academy.

"My Company wouldn't be in business if (EnergyWorks) didn't exist," Tom Wells, Thomas G. Wells Construction.

Read the full report below.