Tuesday, June 30, 2009

SPIN-Gardening Discussion and Action Guide Now Available

The creators of the SPIN-Gardening online learning series have launched the SPIN-Gardening Discussion and Action Guide, which can be used by gardeners to create action teams to rebuild local food systems. It can be purchased for $19.99 for immediate download at the SPIN-Gardening website.

Contained in the SPIN-Gardening Discussion and Action Guide are ten sections that detail how non-commercial local food production can be conceptualized, championed and implemented, whether it be in the middle of an urban jungle or on the suburban fringe, or in a small town. Topics covered include assembling land bases, sub-acre growing practices, valuing production, workflow and management practices, harvesting and post-harvesting protocols, investments and establishing food production groups.

“Others have written persuasively on why the current food production system should be re-localized,” says Co-author Wally Satzewich. “SPIN provides the how, by offering a system that makes food growing un-intimidating, productive and fun.”

There is no one-size-fits-all plan, according to Co-author Roxanne Christensen. “Individuals and communities will create local food systems that reflect their abilities, needs and resources. They just need a clear way to get started, and the SPIN-Gardening Discussion and Action Guide provides that.”

Satzewich and Christensen first developed a commercial sub-acre farming system called SPIN-Farming which they also make available as an online learning series. They started to hear from gardeners who asked how they could take their gardens t the next level by turning them into significant sources of food crops. In response, the authors launched the online SPIN-Gardening learning series.

By serving as a common denominator between commercial and home and community-based food production operations, SPIN is helping to define what is possible and do what is practical, according to Satzewich.

“What gardeners are telling us now is that they don’t just want to grow food. They want to grow a new culture,” says co-author Roxanne Christensen.

ABOUT SPIN-GARDENING™
SPIN-Gardening is a do-it-yourself food production system that adapts the commercial sub-acre farming techniques of SPIN-Farming® to a home and community-based context. It shows how to grow a steady and dependable supply of vegetables that have all the quality of farm-grown and all the convenience of store-bought by working part-time or full-time, working alone or with family, friends or a like-minded group. A self-serve, self-study online learning series on SPIN-Gardening is available at www.spingardening.com

ABOUT SPIN-FARMING®
SPIN (S-mall P-lot IN-tensive) Farming (www.spinfarming.com) is an organic-based, non-technical, easy-to-understand and inexpensive-to-implement farming system that makes it possible to generate significant income by growing common vegetables on sub-acre plots of land. It is organic-based and can be practiced on a single plot or multi-sited on several residential backyards in urban or peri-urban areas, or as part of a larger acreage in the country. A self-serve, self-study online learning series on SPIN-Farming is available at www.spinfarming.com

Media Contact:
Roxanne Christensen
e-mail: rchristensen@infocommercegroup.com
phone: 610-505-9189

Reposting of an email notice

Friday, June 26, 2009

Shoener Environmental Presenation on Regional Wind Development in Pennsylvania

Shoener Environmental provides consulting services throughout the country from offices in Pennsylvania and California. We have unique expertise in the development and permitting of renewable energy projects and green land development projects that minimize environmental impacts through the use of innovative project designs and low impact technologies.

Shoener Environmental was a Silver sponsor for the Northeast Energy / Environmental Solutions Expo in Dallas, PA. The energy expo was hosted by the Pocono Northeast and the Endless Mountains Resource, Conservation, and Development Councils. During the energy expo, Shoener Environmental conducted an education session and discussion on the implementation of regional and small scale wind development in Pennsylvania.

Shoener Environmental are experts in federal, state, and local regulations; technical issues of wetland and ecological systems management, waste management, water quality protection and environmental mapping using sophisticated geographic information system analysis. At Shoener Environmental, our consultants have worked throughout the country on a wide range of projects and environmental issues. However, because our home is Pennsylvania, we have become experts on the region's unique ecological and environmental issues. Our clients include major national corporations, developers, municipalities, engineering firms, realtors, private professionals, and community groups.

Shoener Environmental is also experienced with emerging environmental issues such as wetland mitigation policies, ISO14000, new Superfund procedures, and the new NPDES regulations. We employ state-of-the-art technology including computer-aided design (CAD) and geographic information system analysis (GIS).

http://www.shoenerenvironmental.com
http://www.pnesolutions.org
http://www.pnercd.org
http://www.endlessmountainsrcd.org

Copy of Press Release I submitted

Natural Energy Solutions, LLC located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania Sponsored the Energy Expo

Natural Energy Solutions, LLC located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania is a market leader in GroundSource heating and cooling systems design and installation. With more than 20 years of experience, Natural Energy Solutions, is the only logical choice to design and install your GroundSource Energy System. We are specialists in Ground Source Energy Systems, in fact, it's all we do. Specializing as we do, allows us to stay current with all the latest trends and developments in GroundSource Energy.

Natural Energy Solutions, LLC was a Gold Sponsor of the Northeast Energy / Environmental Solutions Expo in Dallas, PA. The energy expo was hosted by the Pocono Northeast and the Endless Mountains Resource, Conservation, and Development Councils.

Natural Energy Solutions, LLC team members are proven professionals; they have been trained to design and install GroundSource Energy System systems to proven industry standards. Our designers meet the criteria established by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), and our installers have been trained in proper loop installations and tested and certified in HDPE pipe fusion welding.

Natural Energy Solutions, LLC is dedicated to the proper design and installation of GroundSource Energy Systems.

http://www.naturalenergysolutionsllc.com

http://www.pnesolutions.org
http://www.pnercd.org
http://www.endlessmountainsrcd.org

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

PA Plans Seismic Study to Sequester Carbon

"As part of the requirements of a 2008 state law that directed the state to investigate the viability of storing carbon dioxide underground, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary John Quigley today said the department will begin collecting seismic data throughout Pennsylvania in July.

“This is part of the evaluation of the geology of the state to determine if carbon dioxide can be sequestered underground, as one way to address our emissions that contribute to global warming,” Quigley said. “This project will allow scientists to develop a picture of the subsurface rocks as deep as 10,000 feet, so we can continue to refine the information we have about what areas might be suitable for geologic carbon sequestration and how carbon dioxide can be safely and permanently stored underground.”

Seismic data are generated by using vibrations to capture a two-dimensional picture of the rock layers beneath the surface. Interpretation of the data will allow scientists to estimate the type of material, its structure and its depth below the surface.

Collection of the data involves a few large trucks with “thumper” devices traveling slowly along public roadways. They thump the ground, and a cable with sensitive devices connected to it records the energy reflected back to the surface by the underlying geologic features.

DCNR’s Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey will oversee the project, with the field work to be performed by ARM Geophysics of Hershey.

The data collection activities will begin in July and probably run through September. A map of the areas that will be evaluated is a part of a fact sheet on seismic data collection on the DCNR website at www.dcnr.state.pa.us, choose Carbon Sequestration under Hot Topics. DCNR is finalizing more exact locations, and will notify citizens and officials in affected communities weeks before the data collection begins. Data collection will likely start in western Pennsylvania.

DCNR will be gathering or acquiring existing data for 41 of the states 67 counties. They are: Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Westmoreland, Wyoming and York.

At the beginning of May, DCNR submitted a 149-page report to the Governor and General Assembly that contains detailed and technical information about the state’s geology. The report found that four potential geologic formations could be candidates for sequestration in the western and north central regions, although these formations are known to underlie most areas of the state.

A carbon sequestration network would involve first capturing carbon dioxide from coal-fired electricity generating plants and other industrial sources. It would then be compressed into a liquid and cooled, and transported through pipelines to a sequestration site, where it would be injected into the rock formations or other suitable geologic features deep beneath the surface.

Detailed site evaluations involving several years of advanced scientific study would need to be performed at specific locations to make a final determination about whether they are suitable. Suitable formations have alternating layers of rocks of different types, some of which form barriers that prevent the stored carbon dioxide from moving upward.

“This intensive scientific work needs to be conducted with the highest degree of care, and DCNR has formed a Science Advisory Committee, composed of more than a dozen nationally-recognized experts in various aspects of the geologic storage of carbon dioxide,” Quigley said.

With representatives from Penn State University; the Kentucky, Illinois, and Texas Geological surveys; University of Regina (Canada); University of Pittsburgh; the U. S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory; West Virginia University; Carnegie Mellon University; and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the committee will bring diverse areas of expertise to bear on the DCNR's technical assessments.

“All indications are we will continue to rely on burning coal to produce electricity for the foreseeable future, so we need to do that in the cleanest way possible,” Quigley said. “Storing carbon dioxide underground can help us achieve that goal.”"

This is a reposting of a press release I received related to the sequestering of carbon dioxide in PA. Orginal press release can be found at
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/newsreleases/2009/0509-siesmicdata.htm

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Understanding Energy and How to Reduce

The following is a recent Q/A session with the Scranton Times Business Weekly- This was an interview related to the Energy Expo that occured on June 13 - 14, 2009. The responses are as written by the reporter for the newspaper.

"Q: What are some simple and low-cost ways to conserve energy?

A: Turn off and unplug computers, DVD players, lights and chargers when not being used. Consider the use of energy star appliances. Have heating and cooling systems inspected and make sure to change the filters. Seal and weather-strip windows and insulate-wrap hot water heaters and piping. Change incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs or simpler bulbs and use dimmers, timers and motion sensors on lighting systems. Get educated. There are many workshops and the Internet is a great resource for free information on conserving energy and improving the efficiency of your home or online distance learning courses in alternative and renewable energy. Consider the use of area heaters for heating occupied rooms. Have an energy audit completed.

Q. What is an energy audit?

A. If you are considering significant or costly improvements to your home or business or your experiencing problems with mold, ice dams, drafts or high utility bills, it would be advisable to have an energy audit conducted. For a home, an energy audit, conducted by a certified and trained professional auditor, can determine the energy efficiency of your home and suggest remedial measures that can maximizes your homes energy efficiency using a cost benefit analysis approach.

Q. Should I have an energy audit completed?

A. If you are considering renovations to your home, you are experiencing significant problems with heating and cooling your home, or you are looking to finance an alternative energy project, it would be advisable to have an energy audit conducted. The energy audit should be completed by a trained professional that has been certified by a reliable company or organization, such as Building Performance Institute and Residential Energy Services Network.

Q. What are some of the new alternative energy options available?

A. Many of these systems are not new, but there have been significant improvements in the technology and efficiency-plus combination of the federal and state tax credits may account for up to 65 percent of the cost. The systems include geothermal heating/cooling systems, solar energy supply, solar water heating, solar heating systems, biofuels and biomass and wind energy timber.

Q. What are the benefits of using alternative energy systems?

A. The benefits would include reducing our reliance on foreign sources of energy, decrease in peak energy demand, potential revenue source by sending excess energy to the grid for resale and creating and supporting regional and local energy solutions.

Besides the potential long-term energy savings and added value to your home and business, the federal and state governments are providing a combination of tax credits or rebates. Rebate programs not only include alternative energy, but windows, insulation, roofing systems, on-demand water heaters and HVAC efficiency improvements. Federal tax credits are typically 30 percent of cost with some preset limits and of Pennsylvania up to 35 percent. There are many different incentive packages out there on both the state and federal level. It is best to visit the Web site www.dsireusa.org.

Q. What will people learn at today's event?

A. This expo is a grass-roots community effort to help educate and inform the public about conservation, alternative and renewable energy and the environment in a family-friendly atmosphere. There are more than 70 non-profit organizations, associations, community groups and business involved in this 16-county regional event. It will provide citizens, local officials and businesses the opportunity to meet, discuss and obtain information on energy conservation and alternative and renewable energy. In addition to the vendor display area, the event will have education sessions on wind, solar, geothermal, energy audits and much more. Wilkes University is giving free continuing education certificates for attending the education sessions".


These are my responses to questions from an interview - the interview was conducted by writing responses and submitting the responses to the journalist. The information contained in this blog is the final printed interview.

For the full article - please go to
http://www.scrantontimes.com/news/business/understand_energy_in_order_to_reduce_it#articleComments
Staff Writer at Scranton Times - DENISE ALLABAUGH (STAFF WRITER)

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Pickens Plan Army in Northeastern Pennsylvania

The Pickens Plan Army in Northeastern Pennsylvania attended the Northeastern Energy Solutions Expo in Dallas, PA (http://www.pnesolutions.org ). The event was hosted by the Pocono Northeast and Endless Mountains Resource, Conservation, & Development Councils. The event included 20 hours of education on alternative / renewable energy and energy conservation. The workshops on wind energy sessions were well attended and individuals were able to actually look at the workings of a residential turbine system. For regional wind solutions, one of the event sponsors, Shoener Environmental, conducted a training session on regional large scale wind turbine development.

This was the first year of the event and the event had nearly 600 citizens and representatives from local, state, and regional government. In addition, the kid events, such as making a rainbarrel, falcon show, pine cone bird feeders, and more helped to educate an additional 100 + children. The Pickens Plan aided the childrens session by providing free stickers and Wilkes University aid by providing free T-Shirts to the children.

The mission for the Pocono Northeast RC&D Council is to enhance and improve the ecological, cultural, and economic characteristics of the area through projects and programs that promote the management, protection, and sustainable utilization of the area’s resources. The Council encompasses and serves the ten counties: Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne. The Council is always looking for citizens, organizations, and businesses interested in fulfilling this mission.

The primary pillars of the Pickens Plan:

•Create millions of new jobs by building out the capacity to generate up to 22 percent of our electricity from wind. And adding to that with additional solar generation capacity;

•Building a 21st century backbone electrical transmission grid;

•Providing incentives for homeowners and the owners of commercial buildings to upgrade their insulation and other energy saving options; and

•Using America's natural gas to replace imported oil as a transportation fuel in addition to its other uses in power generation, chemicals, etc.

Organizations / Groups Mentioned in this Release

http://www.pickensplan.com/
http://www.shoenerenvironmental.com/
http://www.pnercd.org
http://www.wilkes.edu
http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Northeast Pennsylvania Energy Solutions Expo

Northeast Pennsylvania Energy Solutions Expo


When: June 13th and 14th, 2009.

Where: Luzerne County Fairgounds in Dallas, Pa.

What: The Northeast PA Energy Solutions Expo will focus on alternative and renewable energy opportunities as well as energy conservation for residents, landowners, municipalities, regional governments, and local businesses.

The event is open to area residents of all ages and will provide a range of educational opportunities, including free adult continuing education units from Wilkes University for those who attend any of the many educational seminars presented during the show. In addition, around 60 area organizations and businesses will have booths at the show, providing information on many products and services that benefit area residents.

The Energy Expo will provide a forum where area residents can learn about conservation and alternative energy solutions. The event will provide presentations and seminars on many energy topics, including solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, green building design, energy audits, farm energy audits, biofuels, transportation efficiency, state/federal tax credits, and financing. Exhibits will be provided for children that are fun and educational.

Hosted by: The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council and the Endless Mountains RC&D Council.

Select Sponsors: B.F. Environmental Consultants, Inc., Duane Moyer Well Drilling, Natural Energy Solutions, LLC, ODAK Corporation, Reilly Associates, Trehab Renewable Energy, Hazleton Area Water Company, Inc., "Tomhicken Pure Mountain Spring Water", Quad K Energy Conservation, Shoener Environmental, Rick Grant & Associates.

Media Sponsors: Wilkes Barre Times Leader, OurHouse Magazine, Awakenings Magazine, WNEP-TV.

Costs: The event will cost $5 per adult with children under 12 free.

Website: http://www.pnesolutions.org


# # #

Local Water Company to Partipate in Energy Solutions Expo

Local Water Company to Partipate in Energy Solutions Expo
Water experts will be on hand to discuss one of our areas most critical natural resources.

HAZLETON, PA, June 4, 2009 – Hosts of the upcoming Northeast PA Energy Solutions Expo announced today that Hazleton Area Water Company, makers of “Tomhicken Mountain Spring Water,” will be a sponsor for the event to be held June 13th and 14th, 2009, at the Luzerne County Fairgounds in Dallas, Pa. The event is hosted by the Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council in association with the Endless Mountains RC&D Council, non-profit organizations advocating natural resource and community sustainability in Pennsylvania. The event will focus on alternative and renewable energy opportunities as well as energy conservation for residents, landowners, municipalities, regional governments, and local businesses.

The local water company provides services related to the siting, design, construction, and management of spring water and bulk water sources for potable water use. The company owns and maintains a number of natural artesian spring water sources throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. The facilities are permitted by multiple state and federal agencies.

“We are very pleased to have Hazleton Area Water Company involved in this event,” said Brian Oram, Chairperson of the Pocono NE RC&D Council. “This is exactly the kind of sponsor we were hoping to attract with this event. It will help us provide citizens with the opportunity to learn about solutions and innovative technologies that may be long-term, affordable options.”

The event is open to area residents of all ages and will provide a range of educational opportunities, including free adult continuing education units from Wilkes University for those who attend any of the many educational seminars presented during the show. In addition, around 60 area organizations and businesses will have booths at the show, providing information on many products and services that benefit area residents.

The Energy Expo will provide a forum where area residents can learn about conservation and alternative energy solutions. The event will provide presentations and seminars on many energy topics, including solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, green building design, energy audits, farm energy audits, biofuels, transportation efficiency, state/federal tax credits, and financing. Exhibits will be provided for children that are fun and educational.

The event will cost $5 per adult with children under 12 free. If you have questions about the Expo, please visit http://www.pnesolutions.org or contact the Pocono Northeast RC&D Council at 570-282-8732 ext. 4.
About Endless Moutains Resource Conservation & Development CouncilThe Endless Mountains Resource Conservation and Development (EMRC&D) Council was established in 1967 and included Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties. In 1992, Lycoming County was added to the area. The RC&D Program is unique combination of private enterprise and Federal assistance that encourages the blending of natural resource use with local economic and social values. Program objectives address improving the quality of life, including social, economic and environmental concerns; continuing prudent use of natural resources; and strengthing local citizens' ability to utilize available sources of assistance through Federal and State agencies, and other public and private entities. The RC&D Program provides a form of "facilitated self-help" for conservation and economic development in communities across the Nation essentially serving as regional rural development organizations.

About Poconos Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council
The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council is a non-profit organization that has been active in northeast Pennsylvania since 1980. The Council is committed to the preservation and protection of natural resources within a framework of economic growth and is directed by a group of dedicated volunteers.The regional organization encompasses and serves the following ten counties: Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne. Find out more about the organization by visiting the website at http://www.pnercd.org.

Press Release prepared by Rick Grant- http://www.rickgrant.net/
Reprint of press release

Local Expert Shares Information on Finding Grant Money

Local Expert Shares Information on Finding Grant Money
It’s easier than ever to find grants for energy efficiency, but you have to know where to look.


MAYFIELD, PA, May 9, 2009 – Area residents interested in exploring alternative forms of energy for residential use but who don’t know where to find grant money to help afford it will find some answers at the upcoming Northeast PA Energy Solutions Expo to be held on June 13th and 14th, 2009, at the Luzerne County Fairgounds in Dallas, Pa. The event is hosted by the Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council in association with the Endless Mountains RC&D Council, non-profit organizations advocating natural resource and community sustainability in Pennsylvania. During the event, Ryan Koch, Pocono NE RC&D Coordinator, will present “Financing Opportunities for Renewable Energy Applications.”

Koch, an executive with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, will provide key information that residents must know to save on their utility bills in the future.

“Energy costs are one of the most costly, if not the most costly, expenses that home renters and homeowners will face,” Koch said. “There are several ways people can approach curbing or reducing their energy usage to save money on their energy bills. There are energy conservation measures one can implement, or one can convert their current energy application to a renewable energy system.”

He added that renewable energy systems can require significant up front capital to implement, but there are financial opportunities available to assist people in making the transition. His presentation will provide information on financing opportunities for homeowners to convert or implement renewable energy systems.

The Energy Solutions Expo is open to area residents of all ages and will provide a range of educational opportunities, including free adult continuing education units from Wilkes University for those who attend any of the many educational seminars presented during the show. In addition, around 60 area organizations and businesses will have booths at the show, providing information on many products and services that benefit area residents.

The Energy Expo will provide a forum where area residents can learn about conservation and alternative energy solutions. The event will provide presentations and seminars on many energy topics, including solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, green building design, energy audits, farm energy audits, biofuels, transportation efficiency, state/federal tax credits, and financing. Exhibits will be provided for children that are fun and educational.

The event will cost $5 per adult with children under 12 free. If you have questions about the Expo, please visit http://www.pnesolutions.org or contact the Pocono Northeast RC&D Council at 570-282-8732 ext. 4.
About Endless Moutains Resource Conservation & Development CouncilThe Endless Mountains Resource Conservation and Development (EMRC&D) Council was established in 1967 and included Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties. In 1992, Lycoming County was added to the area. The RC&D Program is unique combination of private enterprise and Federal assistance that encourages the blending of natural resource use with local economic and social values. Program objectives address improving the quality of life, including social, economic and environmental concerns; continuing prudent use of natural resources; and strengthing local citizens' ability to utilize available sources of assistance through Federal and State agencies, and other public and private entities. The RC&D Program provides a form of "facilitated self-help" for conservation and economic development in communities across the Nation essentially serving as regional rural development organizations.

About Poconos Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council
The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council is a non-profit organization that has been active in northeast Pennsylvania since 1980. The Council is committed to the preservation and protection of natural resources within a framework of economic growth and is directed by a group of dedicated volunteers.The regional organization encompasses and serves the following ten counties: Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne. Find out more about the organization by visiting the website at http://www.pnercd.org.

Press Release prepared by Rick Grant- http://www.rickgrant.net/

Reprint of press release