CONGRESS PASSES TRANSIT BENEFIT PARITY EXTENSION

Two weeks ago, I reported that GVF was working diligently to ensure the transit benefit parity was extended to remain at $230 per month.  I'm happy to report that on December 16th, Congress completed work on an extension of the Bush/Middle class tax cuts and included, as a part of that package, is a provision extending parity between the transit/vanpool and parking portion of the transportation fringe benefit at a level of $230/month for 1-year. The transit benefit was set to be reduced to $120/month on January 1^st, with this action; the transit benefit will stay at $230/month until at least the end of 2011.

“We would like to thank all of our fellow transit advocates who were able to help us convince our elected officials that this benefit is critical for those who take public transit. We were very active in helping to get the benefit changed in the first place as all we wanted was to have equality with those who pay for parking. We will continue to advocate for this important benefit as the long term goal is to make this a permanent benefit,” said Rob Henry, GVF Executive Director.



GVF, along with its partners the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT), American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and VPSI, has worked diligently to ensure this parity was extended. GVF has been working with its local delegation by submitted letters of support to the below legislators asking them to support the transit parity extension. We would like to extend our appreciation to them for their continued support.





• U.S. Senator Casey


• U.S. Senator Specter


• Congressman Gerlach


• Congresswoman Schwartz


• Congressman Sestak

BPG Participates in Collecting Packaging Waste for TerraCycle

GVF is a tenant of BPG Properties, located in King of Prussia.  In effort to be more sustainable, BPG partnered with TerraCycle an in effort to encourage its tenants to collect their packaging so it can be recycled. 



 

TerraCycle's , located in Trenton, NJ, goal is to help eliminate the idea of waste. They do this by creating collection and solution problems for all kinds of waste, by creating waste brigades and turning the collected waste into new products, ranging form park benches to backpacks. TerraCycle operates all around the world so please check out if we are in your country.


To learn more about the different brigades, click here.  There are brigades for many different waste steams ranging from candy wrappers to pens. While some brigades have a cost many are free, where TerraCycle pays the shipping and for every unit of waste you send to them, TerraCycle will pay at least $0.02 to a charity or school of your choice.

TerraCycle recently expanded its brigade to collect packaging waste for tortilla and cheese bags.  Tortilla brands Mission and Guerrero, both run by Gruma Corporation, package their tortillas and tostadas in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags. While technically recyclable, LDPE, identified by the #4 resin code, is not commonly collected in recycling programs.  The New Jersey-based upcycling company will take the tortilla packaging and use it to make new tortilla holders and other consumer products. It will also collect packaging from the companies' dips and salsas. To read the entire article, click here. 

GVF is participating in BPG's brigade, which is collecting chip, cookie and candy wrappers.  BPG will be donating the proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes Assocation.

GVF Takes an Active Role in the Transit Benefit Parity Status

GVF has been working diligently, in conjunction with the National Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT), in advocating to keep parity among the transit and parking benefit. 

Last year, the transit benefit was increased from $120/month to $230/month, the same as the commuter parking benefit.  This increase allowed hundreds of thousands of workers to use a greater share of their pretax income to pay for commuting, saving them up to $1,000 or more on taxes each year!  This increase also benefited employers through payroll tax savings providing much needed resources for both employers and families during difficult economic times.  This increase also established equity for those who choose to take transit rather than drive to worker encouraging more employees to switch to transit resulting in less congestion, lower energy use and improved air quality.

The transit benefit increase is set to be reduced back to $120/month at the end of this year unless Congress acts to make it permanent. GVF has written several letters of support to legislators encouraging them to support this parity as we feel it is a crucial benefit for our partners and their employees.  

ACT reported that on December 9th, the Senate introduced a revised and negotiated extension of tax cuts. Included in that legislation is a provision which extends parity between transit/vanpool and parking at $230/month for 1-year. The package is expected to be voted on in the Senate early next week and then in the House. There are a number of hurdles which remain, but there are far fewer hurdles today then there were last week. ACT is hopeful that by this time next week we can say that it has officially been approved.

Stay tuned for an update next week!

GVF's Climate Change Task Force Tours Tastykake Factory Tour

GVF's Climate Change Task Force, in collaboration with Liberty Property Trust, offered a complimentary tour of the Tastykake Baking Factory, located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard.  We had over 25 people attend this private guided tour of this green bakery, which was held on Wednesday, December 1st.  In addition to learning fascinating facts on the different sustainability initiatives occuring at this site, the group also received complimentary tastykakes! 

                                

What went into planning this site?
First, Liberty Property Trust and Tastykake took an abandoned industrial site and re-used the buildings as foundation material for the new bakery, which avoided clearing a forest and reduced construction waste.  Secondly, the bakery was built with several features in order to target LEED-Silver certification.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and acts as a report card for the environmental friendliness of a building.  Once Tastykake achieves this status, it will be the only baking company in the country with LEED Silver certification.

Below is a picture of one of the LEED standards offered at the site - designated upfront parking for individuals who drive fuel efficient vehicles.  

Moreover, a list of the additional features that are included under LEED standards are:

* A white, reflective roof, which minimizes heat-absorbing surfaces that contribute to global warming.

* No-mow, drought-resistant grass that uses less water.

* All wood doors and half of the wood used in the building come from certified sustainable sources that work to conserve trees.

* Paints and carpeting with low chemical content that reduce ear, nose and throat irritation.

* Refrigeration equipment using environmentally friendly refrigerants to minimize emissions that contribute to global warming.

* Covered parking lot lights that reduce light pollution; bike racks and access to public transportation that reduce vehicle usage and pollution.

* Solar panels on the roof that provide power to several of the building’s systems.

GVF Advocates for Bike Lanes

GVF recently submitted a letter of support to PennDOT requesting that their Bicycle Occupancy Permit (BOP) be amended. 

The Bicycle Occupancy Permit is a document required by PennDOT for a municipality to stripe bicycle lanes on state owned roads.  The municipality desiring bicycle lanes must then be responsible for policing, maintenance (including the removal of snow), and proper traffic signing and marking of the bikeway according to the BOP.  The Bicycle Occupancy Permit is included in Chapter 16 of PennDOT’s Publication 13M (DM-2).  BOP has created unintended confusion and is preventing projects across the state from installing bicycle lanes and facilities.   


GVF along with PEC, PA Walks and Bikes, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, PPAC, Doylestown Borough are among the agencies that have signed on as supporters and are hoping to meet with PennDOT to further discuss this issue. 


As one of the many alternative modes for commuting, biking enables individuals to save money by biking to work, as well as intergrating a healthier way of living.  One program where GVF encourages people to bike to work is with its Bike to Work Challenge, which concluded its second season in August. 


Below is a video of how transportation planners in Portland, Oregon are taking their famous bicycle boulevards to the next level - by adding more routes!  GVF wants to see our region increase bicycle lanes and facilities into its projects and not have them be eliminated because of PennDOT's BOP. 

  

Philadelphia gets grant for electric car chargers

Below is the full article of the recent $140,000 grant Philadelphia will receive to purchase and install chargers for 20 electric vehicles that will serve PhillyCarShare, Zipcar and the public. 



City of Philadelphia Receives Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant from Pennsylvania DEP to Add Electric Vehicles to Local Car Share Fleets

Philadelphia, November 16, 2010 – Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced today that the City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office of Sustainability will receive a $140,000 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) to purchase and install chargers for 20 electric vehicles (EV) in Philadelphia. The chargers will serve 18 EVs that PhillyCarShare and Zipcar will add to their fleets and provide two parking spaces with charging services available the public. By displacing 18 traditional car share vehicles, the project is expected to cut CO2 emissions by 61,000 pounds per year.

“Greenworks Philadelphia sets a goal to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2015,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Adding electric vehicles to Philadelphia’s successful car share programs will give thousands of Philadelphia drivers an affordable opportunity to experience new EV technology and help the City reach our ambitious sustainability goals.”

Electric vehicle technology is well suited for car share use because the average car share trip is between 30 and 40 miles long, well within the range of one battery charge. Using EVs in high-mileage fleet settings such as car share programs also increases the environmental benefit of the vehicles by replacing a large number of traditional fuel vehicle miles driven.

The project is an important first step in strengthening Philadelphia’s EV infrastructure. It will help the City understand and improve EV charger installation permitting, give PECO valuable information about how chargers interact with the existing grid, and provide data on how electric vehicles perform in Philadelphia’s weather and traffic conditions.

“This project starts solving the chicken and egg problem by creating an electric car public charging infrastructure that will then encourage people to purchase and use electric cars,” said DEP Secretary John Hanger. “The project also shows that Philadelphia can be a leader in the electric car revolution that will create enormous health, environmental and economic benefits.”

Ever want to see where Tastykakes are made?

GVF’s Climate Change Task Force, with the help of Liberty Property Trust, is offering a tour of the new Tasty Baking Company’s facility located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. A requirement of both Liberty and Tasty Baking, was to make this project as sustainable as possible. Utilizing the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications, the building is targeting a Silver Certification.

Upon certification, the facility will be the largest LEED® certified bakery in the nation! Sustainable features of the building and the baking process include:

• Responsible construction diverting 90% of waste from landfills
• Use of recycled materials in construction
• Redevelopment of a Brownfield site
• Highly efficient HVAC systems
• An intelligent building automation system
• Rainwater harvesting system used for landscape irrigation
• Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) materials
• Innovative thermal oil system utilized in the baking process

GVF's Climate Change Task Force is happy to offer this tour, which will take place on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 10:00AM. LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE! Please contact Lauren Peak at 610-354-8899 if you are interested in attending this event. *This event is open to GVF partners only.

GVF’s Climate Change Task Force will be an advocate for its partners by taking proactive measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy costs, protect air quality and public health and improve the environment throughout our region.

The vision of the Task Force is to:

• Provide continuous and up to date information on climate change issues that are affecting our partners and assist with identifying the appropriate steps of action.
• Host roundtable discussions on specific issues and concerns our partners are having and where they would like assistance.
• Work collaboratively with a panel of experts, such as DEP, EPA, DVRPC, Montgomery County and Chester County and other participants, on a variety of issues that will inform our partners on the necessary action items to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

If you are interested in more information on GVF's Climate Change Task Force or the additional services we can assist your business with, please contact Maureen Farrell at 610-354-8899.

GVF to launch Commuter Challenge BINGO!

Founded in 1990, GVF is a not-for-profit organization created to advocate and promote a viable transportation network for the region’s economic vitality. To maximize awareness and develop sustainable support, we partner with public and private entities.


GVF's mission is to achieve a desirable quality of life and a healthy, competitive economic environment by developing multi-faceted transportation strategies.

Beginning January 3, 2011, GVF will be launching a fun and interactive way to change your commuting habits, along with winning some great prizes while doing it called Commuter Challenge Bingo! 

The purpose of the Commuter Challenge is to improve mobility and sustain the environment by utilizing commuting alternatives. GVF encourages all residents of the Delaware Valley to walk, cycle, take transit, carpool, telecommute and/or utilize relevant commuter resources to make commuting easier and more sustainable.


Here’s how it works:

Each participant will receive an electronic bingo card in the form of a PDF that shows different commuting alternatives and ways to improve commuting overall. Once a participant “gets bingo” (completes all of the challenges in straight or diagonal line) they will submit the completed card to GVF. The first 10 participants to submit a completed card will win a prize.

The Challenge will run from January 3, 2011 until March 31, 2011. Cards received prior to the start date or after the end date will not be valid.  Look for another upcoming blog entry with some of the prizes we've secured, as well as more details on the Challenge before we launch it on January 3rd! 

For more information on this Challenge and/or the other programs and services GVF offers, please visit http://www.gvftma.com/ or contact us at 610-354-8899. 

 

Can Walk Score Really "Walk the Walk"?

Two weeks ago, I blogged about a useful website - Walkscore.com.  This blog entry is a follow up to a recent article I read: "Walk Score Can't Walk the Walk", which cited insufficiencies to the website with it not being entirely accurate with the "walk score" it produces for a specific location.  The article talked specifically about Altanta, GA but I thought it was prudent to provide this piece to our readers so you are accurately informed about the website. 

Rarely would the Conservative Planner and James Howard Kunstler be able to see eye to eye. But such is the case when it comes to the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and their interesting selection of Atlanta as the host city for their 2010 gathering.

The Conservative Planner attended several sessions, including one where a doctor associated with the National Institutes of Health raved on and on about Walkscore.com and how it should be applied by physicians when prescribing more activity to obese children and adults. This brought great internal chuckle, given the setting.

One only had to take a stroll around the Hilton in downtown Atlanta to see the inherent flaws in this online tool. Type the Hilton’s address in Walk Score (255 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA) and it will tell you that it is a “86 – Walker’s Paradise” (now “86 – Very Walkable” due to recent changes and thanks to Human Transit).

Nevermind the fact there are 4- and 5-lane one-way streets with high speed traffic surrounding the hotel. Interstates 85/75 runs to the north and east of the hotel and is a major pedestrian barrier. The restaurants that are deemed by Walk Score to be nearby and within walking distance are buried within the Marriott and Hilton hotels, which are 1960s/1970s behemoths. It is hardly a walking paradise; it may be in a downtown area but the street system is strikingly suburban.

To read the entire article, click here. 

MCCC extends shuttle into spring semester

Montgomery County Community College, one of GVF's partners, will continue its pilot transportation shuttle program between its Central and West campuses for the spring 2011 semester, which runs from Jan. 19-May 11. The shuttle, which is managed by GVF, enables students to travel back and forth between campuses for classes and activities.


The shuttle pilot was rolled out on September 1, free of charge to the College’s students during the current fall semester. Students can continue to ride the shuttle for free through the spring semester extension.  The College is also adding Fridays to its shuttle schedule for the spring, with five departures per day from each campus between 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., starting and ending at the West Campus in Pottstown.

MCCC Shuttle Kick-Off Press Event: (From left to right) Student Calvin Wang, Student Nicole Weising, Sue Kopystecki of TransNet, MCCC Vice President of IT Celeste Schwartz, MCCC Facilities Manager George Shal, GVF Assistant Director Maureen Farrell, MCCC President Karen A. Stout, Jennie Duffy of GVF and Jacqueline McClure of GVF.

MCCC and GVF are extremely happy with the success of the shuttle thus far, which is averaging approximately 115 rides per week at the mid-point of the current fall semester. Extending the pilot for the spring will enable the College to gather more accurate ridership data, as students can plan their spring semester course schedules around the shuttle’s departure times.

The shuttle, which is operated by Suburban Transit Network (TransNet), can accommodate up for 14 passengers, is wheelchair accessible, and is equipped with Wi-Fi. Each run will take 45 to 50 minutes, with rush hour runs taking up to one hour.

The shuttle pilot ties into the College’s Sustainability and Students Success initiatives.

Since signing the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007, the College has put into place policies and procedures that reduce its carbon footprint. The shuttle program has the potential to reduce vehicle usage by up to 3,900 miles daily if the bus operates each trip at full capacity.

GVF has been assisting MCCC with reducing its carbon footprint by sitting on their Transportation Committee.  The shuttle is just one of the initiatives we are assisting them with.  If you are interested in learning more about the services GVF can provide, such as shuttle management and/or assistance with your greening initiatives, please contact Maureen Farrell at 610-354-8899.

Ever Wonder What Your Neighborhood's Walking Score Is?

At GVF’s most recent event, its Land Use Seminar, Geoff Anderson, President & CEO of Smart Growth America was our keynote speaker. During his presentation, Geoff provided the audience with a very interesting website: WalkScore.com. When you log onto WalkScore.com and enter a specific address, it will provide you with a number between 0 and 100 that measures the walkability of that address.

As you read this, you may already know how walkable or not walkable your residential and/or place of employment neighborhood is but when you enter the specific address, in addition to the rating you receive, the website displays a Google map with the surrounding attractions, such as restaurants, shopping, which could potentially be walking distance for you. The website will also provides you with the different transit options available from that location. Once you have your Walk Score, you can also get your Energy Score, as well as several other useful information.

If you are an employer or employee that received a low walk score for your area, GVF can assist with providing services to educate employees on the different commuting alternatives available to them, such as carpooling, biking, public transit. GVF operates numerous programs, such as the Bike to Work Challenge, which encourages riders to “ditch their car” and ride their bike at least once a week to work.



GVF manages Mongtomery County Community
College Campus Shuttle



Some office locations are unable to provide on-site amenities but in an effort to be more sustainable, the company does not want all their employees leaving everyday for lunch in their single occupancy vehicles. Therefore, a company can offer a shuttle service, which could provide transportation to a local shopping center, for example. Another type of shuttle a company offers is operating it before and after work to transport employees to and from area transit centers. GVF manages several different community and corporate shuttles. For more information on these shuttles or if you are interested in starting one for your business or community, please visit http://www.gvftma.com/. 

Drexel to purchase enough wind energy to meet power needs

Although Drexel University is not in GVF's service area, below is an interesting article on one of their initiatives, which some of GVF's partners may be interested in.

Drexel University will pay to have an amount of wind power generated annually that is equal to the amount of power it consumes.  Drexel said that it has agreed to purchase renewable energy certificates from Radnor, Pa.-based Community Energy.

The deal will make Drexel among the 50 largest purchasers of wind energy in the country and put it among the top five universities in terms of wind power purchased.

Drexel has been purchasing wind renewable energy certificates since 2002 and has been steadily increasing the amount it purchases. Neither it nor Community Energy said how much it will pay for the certificates. They did say the university consumes 84,268 megawatt hours.

Drexel is based in the section of West Philadelphia known as University City and has more than 19,500 full- and part-time graduate and undergraduate students.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal

Upper Merion Township looks at solar power

One of GVF's founding partners, Upper Merion Township, is exploring both the environmental and economical benefits, of solar power in parts of the Township.  Below is a recent article, from the Main Line Media News, with the details. 

The supervisors heard a presentation Thursday from Andrew Meserve, vice president of solar sales and development for Tangent Energy Solutions, about the feasibility of locating solar panel arrays in Heuser Park and at the municipal building and township garage.

Meserve said his company, which is based in Kennett Square, would own the panels and sell the power to the township. He told the supervisors that the firm was building about $25 million worth of solar projects in Pennsylvania. Meserve said the Colonial and Bethlehem school districts were among Tangent’s clients.

According to Meserve, the three projects in Upper Merion would produce 947,814 kilowatt-hours of energy annually. In 2009, he said, the township consumed 7.3 million kilowatt-hours, at a total cost of $789,187.

The panels proposed for the roof of the municipal building could generate cumulative savings of $840,000 over 20 years, Meserve added. However, he noted that the building’s roof is scheduled to be replaced. If that work were incorporated into the installation of the solar panels, it would offset the energy cost savings projected over 20 years.

“There’s an environmental aspect to this,” Meserve added. For instance, he said the proposed projects would offset the generation of about 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide.

Supervisor William Jenaway asked if other municipalities were moving forward with installing solar panels. Meserve responded that the municipalities that had embraced the idea were primarily in California.

Supervisor Gregory Waks asked how soon the project could be completed. If the supervisors decide in October to move forward, Meserve said, construction could begin in January, with the work to be completed by next March.

SEPTA Pilot Program to Capture, Reuse Subway Energy

SEPTA recently announced a pilot project that would capture electricity generated by braking subway trains, much like a hybrid automobile produces power when it slows down.  The electricity will be stored in a large, railside battery array and reused when the train accelerates. The system is expected to reduce electrical power purchases 10 percent to 20 percent at each location of the batteries, said Andrew Gillespie, SEPTA's chief engineering officer for power.
But the system is designed to do more than capture power from the subway's dynamic braking system, said Audrey Zibelman, the chief executive officer of Viridity Energy Inc., the Conshohocken smart-grid innovator that devised the project for SEPTA.
The power-storage system is potentially so large-each battery array would store one megawatt of power that SEPTA could further reduce its electric bill by buying cheap power at night to use or resell during expensive peak hours.
 
Below is a question and answer interview with SEPTA discussing the details of this pilot program:
1) When did the pilot project officially start?


SEPTA and Viridity signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to submit a grant application to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) in June 2010, and received notice of the award in August. The project kickoff meeting will take place in September, with installation tentatively scheduled for late 2011 or early 2012 following the procurement of the storage device and all requisite engineering and design work.

2) Why is SEPTA investing $900,000 at this time to explore a battery/smart grid project?

SEPTA has been analyzing the evolution of energy storage technologies for several years and is comfortable with the readiness of such devices to meet the needs of a large, aging, urbanized transit system. The availability of resources, through PEDA as well as through the Federal Transit Administration's "Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction" (TIGGER) program, served as the immediate impetus to move forward with project plans. Additionally, the presence of a locally based smart-grid start-up like Viridity Energy provided a unique opportunity to leverage the project to generate additional financial benefits and support the Greater Philadelphia's emerging position as a hub for advanced energy technology.

3) Has this kind of braking power/battery technology already been implemented at another subway or electrically driven transportation system in the U.S. or abroad – or would this be a first?

Regenerated braking power is widely utilized by electrified transit systems around the world, but only recently have agencies begun to pilot the use of wayside energy storage devices, and none, to our knowledge, have done so in partnership with a smart grid firm with Viridity's capabilities to optimize its use. While somewhat more common abroad (especially Europe), the only other North American transit systems that have piloted installation of wayside energy storage devices include agencies in New York City, Portland (OR), and Sacramento.

4) Would there be a significant upfront cost to expand the battery throughout your subway system?

Yes, although in the interim, SEPTA plans on aggressively pursuing additional external resources, such as a recent $2.7 million grant application to the FTA under its FY2010 TIGGER grant program.

5) How big an investment, roughly?

Devices are running at roughly $1 million each, however SEPTA anticipates that the unit cost would be substantially reduced if the devices were ordered in bulk. Additional technological advancements in the coming years also likely will reduce unit costs.

6) What kind of reactions has the announcement of the SEPTA pilot project received so far from passengers, city officials, and maybe people abroad?

The most common responses have been excitement and intrigue. Because of the newness of wayside energy storage technologies, many transit and energy industry officials and experts have expressed an eagerness to learn more about the project and closely follow its outcomes. Elected officials have endorsed the project as an example of SEPTA's innovative approach to reducing operating costs and leveraging alternative sources of revenue, noteworthy given lagging ridership and ongoing economic stagnation. City and regional leaders are particularly interested in the project's potential to serve as an additional boost to the region's emerging position as a hub for advanced energy technology, for which SEPTA is receiving increasing recognition as a multifaceted but underutilized asset.

Recovery Act Keeps U.S. on Clean Energy Path

WASHINGTON, DC — The Recovery Act has kept the country on track to halve the cost of solar power and has helped lay the foundation to double renewable energy generation in the U.S., according to a White House report.

"The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy through Innovation" looks at how the $100 billion in reinvestment funds from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is affecting solar power costs, electric vehicle battery production and renewable energy, as well as high-speed rail, electronic health records and human genome projects.

The report especially credits the Recovery Act funds for positioning the U.S. to meet President Barack Obama's goal to double the amount of renewable energy the U.S. can generate along with how much renewable energy equipment it can produce by 2012.

Nearly a quarter of the reinvestment funds are going toward those goals, pumping $23 billion into renewable energy projects. Doubling renewable energy generation from wind, solar and geothermal projects would see the U.S. go from producing 28.8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to 57.6 GW. In doubling the production of wind turbines, solar panels and other equipment, the country would move from making enough equipment each year to produce 6 GW to enough to generate 12 GW.

The Recovery Act is also helping the U.S. cut the cost of solar power in half between 2009 and 2015. Through investments in new technologies and increasing the scale of solar manufacturing and deployment, the U.S. is looking to see the cost of solar power drop from $0.21 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in 2009 to $0.10 per kWh in 2015, which would bring the price down to household electricity rates. Utility-scale solar projects are expected to drop from $0.13 per kWh to $0.06 in the same timeframe.

More than $2 billion from the act is being invested in advanced battery and electric drive manufacturing with the intent of bringing down the cost of electric vehicle batteries by 70 percent by 2015. All-electric vehicle batteries would go from $33,000 to $10,000 while plug-in hybrid batteries would cost $4,000 instead of the current $13,000.

Along with bringing down costs, the Recovery Act funds are going toward making batteries lighter by about 33 percent and making them last 14 years as opposed to four years.

Last year the U.S. had two factories making advanced vehicle batteries, producing less than 2 percent of the world's vehicle batteries. By 2012, the report says, the country will have 30 factories capable of producing 20 percent of the world's vehicle batteries.

TD Bank Closes Loop on Paper Use, Saves 43K Trees Yearly

One of GVF's newest partners is making an environment impact:

CHERRY HILL, NJ-TD Bank (NYSE: TD) is closing the loop on its paper waste in a partnership with Boise, one that will save tens of thousands of trees as well reducing landfill waste.

As the newest member of Boise's Closed Loop System, TD Bank will divert at least 1,500 metric tons of paper every year into Boise's paper recycling system, and will purchase the recycled paper back from Boise once it has been remanufactured.

"We keep looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint and elimination of waste is key to this," Gerry Guidice, head of U.S. Real Estate for TD Bank, said in a statement. "This program means we will generate less waste - diverting it from landfills -- and recycle more, which is great for the environment and business."

The paper that TD Bank purchases for use in its operations is Forest Stewardship Council certified and already contains a portion of recycled paper. TD Bank is promising to deliver at least enough paper to Boise (NYSE: BZ)to manufacture the new generation of paper products that the bank will use each year.

As a result of closing the loop on its paper use, TD Bank will save about 43,000 trees per year, or the equivalent of 300 millino sheets of paper.

Earlier this month, the company made the EPA's Green Power Partnership list, landing in the 15th spot for companies that purchase the most renewable energy in the U.S.

Read more: http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/08/16/td-bank-closes-loop-paper-use-saves-43k-trees-yearly?utm_source=GreenBuzz&utm_campaign=8837959b21-GreenBuzz-2010-08-16&utm_medium=email

Philadelphia: Green City, Clean Water

Check out this very interesting video on initiatives being taken by the city of Philadelphia to move towards greener methods of storm water management.

The video shows examples such as green roofs, porous pavers and vegetated streetscapes which offer simple green solutions to solving the cities storm water problems. While at the same time, these practices create green, open spaces which has been proven to create more livable urban areas.

What are your thoughts on this plan for the city of Philadelphia?

 

For similar videos, check out GreenTreks on youtube

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center achieves LEED Honors

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center has recently been awarded a LEED Gold Certification. This makes the museum/park the first to do so in Pennsylvania, and only the fourth in the country to achieve such a level of LEED certification.

Highlights of the Museum and Visitor Center's environmental responsibility include:

• Geothermal heating and cooling system: 207 wells, average depth of 550 feet use the earth's constant 55-degree temperature to heat and cool the facility
• Wetlands restoration: Nearly two acres of wetlands were restored during Museum and Visitor Center construction
• Native plants: Native, drought resistant plants that were used throughout the facility's campus require no irrigation
• Timber reuse: Existing timber was reused in the building's construction
• Recycling: A facility-wide recycling program was adopted
• Construction waste reduction: Metal, cardboard and wood was separated during construction to minimize waste
• Storm water run off minimization: Storm water run off was reduced through the use of underground storage tanks
• Plumbing: Low flow toilets and sinks were installed
• Reduced off-gasses: Off-gassing from carpets, glues, vinyl and paints was reduced
• Low-emission vehicles and carpooling: Parking spaces will be labeled for preferred use by hybrid vehicles and by carpoolers
• Green power: Green power credits will be purchased
• Regional materials: Twenty-five percent of the building materials manufactured locally, and 50 percent were harvested locally

For an article containing more information on the project and certification, CLICK HERE

Vegetated Sound Barrier: Just Add Water

The Ohio Department of Transportation is  experimenting with a greener approach to dampen the sounds produced by highway travel. The vegetated sound walls work similar to the Chia Pet concept, where bags of soil are stacked into a wall, then seeded, creating a natural sound barrier free of concrete. There is added maintenance that comes with such a barrier, including watering and weeding, but the visual picture of grass over concrete has many people willing to compromise.

Over the next two years, ODOT will determine how much water and maintenance the wall of vegetation will need. The department plans to look at whether the wall of plants and grass can survive Ohio's weather, and whether it can cut down on as much noise as a concrete wall

There have been similar projects, such as in Wisconsin where a sound wall was constructed from plastic forms filled with soil and plants in 1994, but removed it in 1996 after a portion of the barrier collapsed and weeds spread. The only similarity between Ohio's wall and the one that failed in Wisconsin is its triangular shape.

For an interview surrounding the project, CLICK HERE

Hopefully this idea will catch on and lead to the greening of other aspects of highway travel.

Have a great weekend

Local Townships Receive Funding for Alternative Energy Projects

In an effort to further Pennsylvania’s initiative to become a leader in sustainability, PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recently announced over $18 Million in funding to support alternative energy projects. This will fund 37 individual projects in 16 different counties, including Montgomery County, which was awarded funds for four different solar projects.

The solar projects will have an installed capacity of more than 24 megawatts and will generate at least 26,600 megawatt hours of electricity annually, or enough to power approximately 2,700 Pennsylvania homes. In addition to generating 26,600 solar renewable energy credits a year, the systems will annually save $5.2 million during each of the next 20 years.

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $127,100 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system at the Ancillae-Asumpta Academy campus in Cheltenham Township. The 100-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 110,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school nearly $14,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $516,436.

Lower Moreland Township School District will receive an $851,000 solar energy program grant to install three solar photovoltaic systems. The cumulative, 575-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system will include a 143-kilowatt rooftop system for Lower Moreland High School, a 154-kilowatt rooftop system for Murray Avenue School, and a 278-kilowatt rooftop system for Pine Road Elementary School. The system will generate 670,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school district nearly $84,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $3.2 million.

Colonial Solar LLC will receive a $704,450 solar energy program grant to install two solar photovoltaic systems at schools in the Colonial School District in Plymouth and Whitemarsh townships. The cumulative 700-kilowatt system will include a 440-kilowatt rooftop device for Colonial Middle School and a 265-kilowatt system for Colonial Elementary School. The system will generate approximately $880,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the district nearly $110,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $3.2 million.

500 Virginia Solar LP will receive $759,360 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system on an office building in Upper Dublin Township. The 950-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 1.3 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the company $161,000 in energy costs. The total project cost is $4.4 million.

For more information on the funding, as well as a complete list for projects across the state, CLICK HERE

Green Ways to Beat the Heat!

Brace yourselves because today is going to be warm, just like yesterday, the day before that and tomorrow. To sum it up, it is going to be hot. But before you crank up that thermostat, lets look at some greener options to beat the heat, while saving some green in the process.

1.) Use a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set temperatures to best fit your cooling needs. Consider setting the temperature higher while at work, or during the cooler mornings/nights, which can help keep you cool while limiting energy use.

2.) Consider using a fan: A fan costs much less to operate than an air conditioning unit and will instantly make a room feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler. Ceiling fans will work great for frequently used rooms, while a house fan could pull in enough fresh night air to cool the whole house!

3.) Keep the Sun Out: Consider installing sunblockers on windows, which reduce the amount of sunlight and heat entering a room. These include blinds, curtains and shades. Using sunblockers in a room can reduce heat gain in a well insulated house to 1 degree an hour.

4.) Cook Cool: Using a stove, toaster or any kitchen appliance that uses heat can boost a rooms temperature by up to 10 degrees. Consider making dishes that do not require cooking, or the use of an outside grill to keep the heat outdoors.

5.) Turn the lights off: Or at least consider cooler bulbs. Compact fluorescents use 75% less energy than your standard incandescent bulbs and emit 90% less heat.

Regardless of what techniques you use, make sure you keep your home at a safe and healthy temperature and stay well hydrated during this heat wave. With forecasted highs of 99 both today and tomorrow, an excessive heat warning and an Air Quality Action Day already in place, keeping cool is the number one priority! For more green ways to beat the heat, CLICK HERE

The heat wave looks to break later this week, but until then, remember when we were sick of days like this?

Bicycle and Pedestrians Trips are on the Rise

And so is the funding being directed towards bicycle and pedestrian improvements. While the above graphic may look simple, it shows a significant increase in both pedestrian and bicycle trips over the past 20 years, as well as a significant increase in funding. According to The National Bicycling and Walking Study: A 15 Year Status Report, In 1992, less than .25% of Federal Transportation Funding was directed towards Pedestrian and Bicycle projects, but that percentage has grown to nearly 2% in 2009, jumping a whole percent between 2008-2009.

Supporting Pedestrian and Bicycle projects not only boasts environmental benefits, but also creates healthier lifestyles, lowers personal costs of transportation and increases a persons quality of life.

For more information and a copy of the The National Bicycling and Walking Study: A 15 Year Status Report, CLICK HERE

Philadelphia to Play it Cool with new Bill

In an effort to become one of the greenest cities in America, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed the “Cool Roof” bill into  law last month. The bill moves buildings away from the traditional black roof-tops which absorb heat and requires cooler colors, such as white or highly reflective materials which help reflect the suns heat. It is hoped that in doing so, air conditioning demands can be reduced by up to 30%. 

The law will be enforced on roofs with flat tops (mostly commercial uses) and will not be enforced on buildings with vegetative (or Green) roofs or buildings using roof-top solar panels.

Philadelphia hopes to recue city-wide energy consumption by 10% and to retrofit 15% of its housing stock by 2015.

PECO recently unveiled their headquarters green roof, which can be seen below:

Paoli Station Receives $1 Million for Solar Project

The Paoli Train Station is not only getting a much needed face lift, but is going green in the process. The project was recently awarded $1 million from the State Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to construct a series of solar panels on a portion of the Paoli Rail Yard.

The panels will cover almost 3 acres on the western portion of the rail yard and will be used to power the Paoli-Thorndale line, as well as Amtrak. It is expected the new panels will provide up to 2% of the energy used by Amtrak and SEPTA.

The Paoli Station is one of the more heavily used stations along the SEPTA R5 line and also services Amtrak train lines. Plans to redevelop the station into a transportation center will provide pedestrian access across the tracks, a landscaped plaza/public square and the addition of a 1,000 space garage for SEPTA commuters. This will transform the mostly vacant site into a town center development with mixed use development.

Click Here for an article on the project

Four Local Municipalities Receive PECO Green Region Program Funds

The PECO Green Region Program is an open space grant program funded by PECO, which helps protect and improve open land in the PECO service area. Any Township, Borough or City is Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester Counties are eligible for the program. The following local projects have been selected as recipients of the next wave of Green Region Grants.

West Pottsgrove Township ($10,000) - The township will use the grant to complete a master site plan for this recently expanded 23-acre park, an important natural, passive recreational, and open space asset.

Norristown Borough ($5,000) — The grant will be used for improvements to Strawberry Alley, a small passageway that serves as a critical pedestrian connection between the Norristown Transportation Center and the Main Street Business District. Improvements include a reduction of hardscape to increase the planting areas and the replacement of compromised concrete.

Conshohocken Borough ($10,000) — The grant will be used for improvements to the borough's 4-acre Mary Wood Park. The improvements include rain gardens with signage, replacement of walkways with pervious pavers, light fixtures, benches, restoration of a stone wall, and landscaping.

Worcester Township ($5,000) — The grant will be used to enhance the newly-acquired Heyser Field adjacent to the township's Community Hall. The site has been home to horse show events of the Farmers Union Horse Co. for decades.

For an article on more information on the local recipients, CLICK HERE

Yosemite National Park to Receive Funding for Solar Power Project

It was recently announced that over $4 Million in Federal Stimulus  Grants would be going towards the creation of a solar power system in Yosemite National Park. The solar system  is expected to generate 800,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year. It will have the potential to save around $100K per year and reduce consumption from the grid by 12%.

The system itself will be installed at a site in El Portal, California. The solar panels will be constructed on rooftops of existing buildings, which will not only shade the buildings, but absorb the Suns rays, with El Portal being selected because of the high exposure of sun light received throughout the year.

Similar projects receiving Federal Stimulus money include Death Valley, Golden Gate National Park and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Personal Car Sharing: A Crazy Idea or a Money Making Transportation Alternative.

A company out of London is making it possible for anybody to rent out there personal car to the general public. The London based Whipcar, allows interested users to search by car type, price and location to book the perfect car in their area enrolled in the program. The program claims to take care of all of the hassle, performing driving background checks on all users and by covering each participating cars insurance in full, even providing breakdown coverage for the renter.Scroll down for a short video on how the program works.

Similar programs are currently being planned here in the United States in the cities of Boston (RelayRides) and in the state of California (Spride Share). California recently passed Bill AB 1871 which would allow for the sharing of personal vehicles 63-0. RelayRides and Spride Share are very similar in their registration process. Full vehicle and driving record background checks are done to make sure you comply with the rules and regulations of the program. You then register your vehicle if you wish to share yours, or schedule what car you want, where you need it and when through their online interface or by smartphone. Access to the car is granted with a Key Card waved at the windshield, which unlocks the vehicle, where the actual keys for driving are kept. The program covers the cost of gas and all programs pay individuals who register their car for car sharing when used, covering participating vehicles under an insurance policy for damage or theft.

Now the idea sounds great, especially for solo drivers, whose cars sit idle 90% of the day. Is this a program you could see yourself participating in? Its already working in London and seems to be slowly making its way across the pond. Please leave your thoughts and comments below and make sure to take the poll on the side bar!

What happens in Vegas…Is Going Green!

Ok, so Las Vegas may not be the most sustainable city in the world. Sure their glittery lights are always on, the city itself is in a desert miles from water and you pretty much have to take a long road trip or flight to get to it. But be that as it may, Las Vegas is trying to green up its image (and doing a pretty good job too).

The Sands Las Vegas Resort Corporation just released their Sands Eco360 plan which is a formalization of all of Las Vegas Sands Corp’s best practices, technologies and methodologies in the area of sustainability across all properties rolled into one, integrated program, with a shared vision, mission and goals. Two of the Sands Las Vegas resorts, The Venetian and Sands Expo and Convention Center have received LEED Gold Certification as existing buildings, while their Sands Palazzo Hotel-Resort-Casino received a Silver Certification for new construction. The Palazzo Resort used more than 95% recycled steel content and 26% recycled concrete.

Some of the green elements being used include:

• A roof-mounted solar thermal system that provides hot water for swimming pools, spas and a portion of domestic hot water.
• Solar photovoltaic panels atop a parking garage that generate 116 kW of electricity.
• A building automation system that monitors and optimizes heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting levels.
• Lighting that's controllable by a master switch in each of the guest suites. High-efficiency lighting throughout the facilities.
• The recycling of 55 percent of solid waste including glass, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and paper.
• A partnership with a local pig farm that uses 75 percent of food waste for composting or animal feed.
• Green purchasing, green office, green cleaning and green laundry practices. In addition to an eco-linen program for guests, the company works with a laundry service provider that uses equipment and processes that cut water use by 72 percent, compared to standard operations.
• Reuse or recycling of more than 75 percent of construction waste from renovation projects.

The newest large development on the strip, the CityCenter Complex contains 6 LEED Certified Gold Buildings, including the ARIA Resort, which has the honors of being the worlds largest LEED Certified Building. There are about 100 registered LEED projects in Las Vegas so far, not including those projects added in 2009.

While the city has a long way to go, every little bit helps and these are large steps in the right direction.

Phoenixville Unveils New Fish Ladder at Black Rock Sanctuary

The fish ladder, installed by Exelon, allows fish to freely traverse the Schuylkill River, allowing American Shad to return to native spawning grounds. It is believed the new ladder will allow the movement of over 25,000 Shad a day. Cameras have been installed within the ladders to count the Shad as they continue on the journey up the river.

The Black Rock Sanctuary, which was originally used as a basin for settling coal and silt, has now became an important refuge for water foul and migratory birds. Today it is a beautiful riverfront park where the public can enjoy the open space and wild animals which call the park home.

For more an article containing information on the ribbon cutting ceremony, Click Here

New Computer Models Show Possible Future Extent of Oil Spill

While these models are not official and are only computer generated forecasts of the spills interaction with the ocean currents. It does paint a grim picture of what we may experience over the next few months, if BP is unable to contain the spill. Of course these models do not take into consideration possible Tropical Storms or Hurricanes, which could greatly exacerbate the problem.

North Coventry Awarded $530K from DCNR to Acquire Open Space

North Coventry Township was awarded $530,000 to protect 49 acres of natural area, which will allow improved trail connections across North Coventry Township, Chester County. These acquisition play vital roles in linking current trails with the Schuylkill River Trail which extends from French Creek State Park in Berks County, all the Way to Philadelphia.

• $390,000 to acquire a 39.4 acre property at 1894 St. Peters Road that was formerly part of the Nueva Esperanza Youth Camp. This is the second acquisition that DCNR has supported for purchase of parcels previously owned by the former summer camp. These properties are being added to Coventry Woods Preserve, a North Coventry Township park that now encompasses more than 400 acres, with trails throughout and a connection to French Creek State Park. Coventry Woods is part of the Hopewell Big Woods, the most important mature forested landscape in Southeast Pennsylvania. The property is a maturing woodland situated at the headwaters of Pigeon Creek and the Rock Run tributary of French Creek.

 

• $140,000 to acquire the Gambone Tract at Hanover St. and Kemp Road, which is a key link in developing the Coventry Heights Trail connecting Coventry Woods to Pottstown. This 9.6 acre parcel will facilitate the development of a larger municipal park, connecting to the Schuylkill River Trail at Pottstown and on through to French Creek State Park.

For more information on the grants and how they will be used, Click Here!

Governor Rendell Signs Bill Extending Recycling, Waste Tire Cleanup Funding Through 2020

More than 1,600 municipal recycling programs across Pennsylvania-- and the approximately 80,000 jobs the industry supports -- will benefit from another decade of guaranteed funding now that Governor Edward G. Rendell has signed House Bill 961.

According to the Governor, continuing to support local recycling programs is important to Pennsylvania's economy and environment.

"Making it easier for citizens to recycle by supporting community-based programs is about sustainability and preserving our natural resources; it's about supporting jobs; and it's about providing our manufacturers with an affordable and stable supply of raw materials," said the Governor. "It's a win-win-win for our economy and our environment.

Launched in 1988, Pennsylvania's recycling program is funded by a "tipping fee" of $2 per ton on all waste managed at municipal waste landfills and resource recovery facilities in the state. The fees generate approximately $35 million each year to support municipal recycling programs that serve nearly 10 million residents.

In total, Pennsylvania recycles millions of tons of materials each year and reuse businesses annually generate more than $20 billion in sales, which saves communities money on disposal costs and provides an additional source of revenue. The recycling industry in Pennsylvania also has a yearly payroll of more than $2 billion.

"Recycling diverts five million tons of waste from our landfills annually and has helped businesses and local governments avoid more than $1 billion in disposal costs since the program was created," Governor Rendell said. "Since Pennsylvania's recycling program began, young people have learned to reduce, reuse and recycle, and thanks to the support of the legislature -- particularly Rep. Buxton, who sponsored this bill, and Sen. Mary Jo White, who saw it through the Senate -- we will be able to pass these valuable lessons on to future generations."

Governor Rendell's signature on the act ensures the tipping fee will continue to be collected through 2020 and also authorizes a $1.25 million transfer from the recycling fund to the Waste Tire Remediation Fund to complete high-priority tire pile cleanups, work that is important to protecting public health, he said.

"By cleaning up waste tire piles, we're removing a blight that plagues many towns and cities across the state," said Governor Rendell. "These piles pose a fire danger and offer a breeding ground for mosquitoes that can carry the West Nile Virus. So preserving the funding to clean up these piles is important to protecting the safety and health of our communities, too."

Since 2003, the Governor noted, Pennsylvania has already removed nearly 12.5 million waste tires by cleaning up 111 piles. Nearly 4.8 million of these tires were removed at no cost to the state as a result of aggressive enforcement action by the Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information on recycling and a complete list of grant programs, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Recycling.

Would you like Carbon Reduction with That?

A trendy fast food chain in New York City is making a strong effort to provide quality fast-food options, while limiting their impact on the environment. Otarian, the first in a planned chain of vegetarian restaurants opened in New York this week, with two more locations planned for London later in the year. The restaurant design itself is not the only thing where sustainability is taken into consideration.

Each menu item was evaluated by the carbon reduction company, Sustain, to compute each items carbon footprint, which will appear alongside each dish on the menu.The overall goal is to educate consumers on the sustainable impacts even a small meal can have on the environment. Hopefully, Otarian can prove that food can not only be good tasting, but good for the environment as well.

Click Here, for more information

To view Otarian’s website, CLICK HERE

Happy Arbor Day!

April 30th is Arbor Day, a nationally celebrated occasion that encourages everyone to plant/care for our nations trees. Traditionally celebrated on the last Friday of April, the first Arbor Day celebrated in the United States was on April 10th, 1872 and an estimated 1 million trees were planted across the country. So break out your gardening gloves, grab a shovel and celebrate this great fantastic holiday by planting a tree. For more information on Arbor Day, CLICK HERE.

And now for the timeless National Arbor Day Foundation Commercial..