INVESTMENTS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY, POLLUTION PREVENTION WILL PROVIDE SMALL BUSINESSES WITH LONG-TERM ADVANTAGES

HARRISBURG–Small businesses that invest in energy efficiency and cutting wasteful pollution will garner long-term advantages by reducing expenses and protecting themselves against spiking energy costs in the future, according to Governor Edward G. Rendell.

The Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides a 50 percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy use, promote pollution prevention and increase profitability. The program has invested almost $4.9 million in 928 businesses across the state since Governor Rendell launched it in 2004.

Small businesses will soon be able to benefit from energy conservation and clean energy production legislation signed into law this year by the Governor. Energy conservation programs created by the new legislation will reduce overall energy consumption and peak demand-or periods when energy prices are highest-to help save consumers more than $500 million over the next five years and more than $800 million annually after 2013.

The law also requires every home and business to be equipped with a “smart meter” over the next 15 years and have access to time-sensitive pricing plans. A smart meter gives every consumer the power to use energy at times when rates are cheapest and cut consumption when rates are higher.

The state’s new $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund will also include $92.5 million to help save money on small businesses’ and families’ energy bills by supporting investments in energy conservation and efficiency.

“Pennsylvania is investing in its future by supporting businesses that purchase energy-efficient equipment to drive down their energy consumption and generate clean energy that meets their demands and yields excess power that can be sold back to the grid,” said acting Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger. “By reducing energy consumption, we conserve our natural resources, reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, and prevent pollution. Investing in energy efficiency is investing in a clean and prosperous future.”

Small businesses in Pennsylvania can find other sources of financial and technical assistance through the Department of Environmental Protection’s Small Business Assistance Program. The Pollution Prevention Assistance Account provides loans of up to $100,000 at 2 percent interest for projects that reduce waste, pollution or energy use. Environmental assistance services are available through the Small Business Ombudsman and its partner organizations.

For more information on these and other small business programs, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/, keyword: Grant and Loan Programs.

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Public Transit Ridership Surges as Gas Prices Decline

This year has seen the highest gas prices in U.S. history. Americans responded to this by reducing their driving; nationally, vehicle miles traveled was down 4.6 percent in the third quarter of 2008. Despite the current, incredibly low price of gas, Americans are still choosing to leave their cars at home. Public transit has made this transition possible.

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), transit ridership is up 6.5 percent over 2007 levels, the largest quarterly increase in transit ridership in 25 years. Overwhelmingly, commuters are choosing to stay with transit. While it saves money, at $2 a gallon for gas, people are continuing to ride transit for a host of reasons that go beyond economics. For example, transit reduces greenhouse gas emissions and congestion on roadways, is frequently faster and safer, doesn’t invoke road rage, increases human interaction, and perhaps most importantly, allows for napping!

Fortunately, Southeastern Pennsylvania is home to the sixth largest transit agency in the United States, SEPTA. For more information about where SEPTA can take you, visit http://www.septa.com/. GVF Transportation encourages you to keep using transit and leave the car at home!

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Governor Rendell Announces Investment in Pennsylvania's Rail Freight

Hoping to boost local economies and improve rail infrastructure throughout Pennsylvania, Governor Ed Rendell last week announced a $38.5 million investment in the state’s rail freight. PennDOT’s Rail Freight Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance program will get $30 million, and the other $8.5 million will be designated for Rail Freight Assistance grants. The funds will be administered by PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports, and Waterways, and be used for safety and efficiency upgrades. Governor Rendell noted that the rail industry is a staple of PA’s economy, supplying thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. Pennsylvania has more than 6,000 miles of rail lines and more than 7,000 Pennsylvanians are employed by freight railroads.

Some of the projects funded in the region include:

Bucks County
· CSX Transportation Inc. - $4 million to improve overhead clearances at 16 locations in CSX’s Trenton Subdivision
· Samuel Grossi and Sons - $250,000 for a new railroad spur from the existing indoor fabricating facility to another building

Chester County
· East Penn Railroad LLC - $557,200 for track rehabilitation and upgrades to six at-grade crossings along the Octoraro Branch

Delaware County
· Conrail - $224,000 for track rehabilitation to support overseas shipments of GE locomotives and other commodities through the Penn Terminal

Montgomery County
· Lansdale Warehouse Co., Inc. - $17,850 to rehabilitate track servicing the Lansdale and Hatfield locations

Philadelphia County
· CSX Transportation Inc. - $1.5 million to construct new track connecting CSX’s Trenton Subdivision with Conrail’s Engleside connection track at Park Junction
· Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. - $53,550 to reconnect vandalized track and improve additional track to facilitate increase rail volumes

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The Bicycle Commuter Act: What it Means for You and Your Company

Now that the bicycle commuter provision is law, the League of American Bicyclists is taking the lead to ensure that implementation guidelines are established prior to the provision's effective date of January 1, 2009. To date, the Bicycle Commuter Act allows employers to offer a fringe benefit of $20 per month for employees to purchase a bicycle, as well as bicycle improvements, repairs or storage costs.

How the Legislation Works:

* For employees who regularly bike to work, employers may offer a $20 monthly ($240/year ) tax-free benefit.

* The employer is responsible for implementing their own system of distributing the funds to the employee. For example, the company may choose to have their employees bring in receipts to be reimbursed, they can have employees sign up for monthly payments, or implement a voucher system.

*NOTE: Bike commuters are NOT eligible to receive transit or parking benefits in addition to the biking benefit.

A complete overview of the Bicycle Commuter Act can be found here and a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the League of American Bicyclists’ Web site.
GVF Transportation will be glad to assist your company with implementing this benefit for bike commuters, and find the best and easiest way to ensure that bicyclists receive their monthly benefit. Contact Maureen Farrell or Carissa Pleiss for more information.

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