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Working with Suppliers
Stewart said it's fairly easy to interest suppliers in the certification effort because they already understand sustainability's importance and "because customers are asking for it, customers need it.' We explain the expense to get certified is worthwhile, it's simple math: We can demonstrate that these products grow faster and sell faster than others do."
They agreed "green" products work only if their effectiveness equals that of the products they are replacing. In other words, a "greener" pesticide is the right choice if it works as well as the less-green alternative. The common wisdom that green products are less effective and cost more is wrong, they said. Green really hasn't been fully developed in some categories, Munoz cited industrial and household lubricants, as well as cleaning chemicals--so there are some niches developing only now,and companies are identifying new products for them and bringing them to Grainger. In turn, Grainger helps suppliers by identifying promising areas, he said. Greener chemicals are preferable from a safety professional's perspective, as well, because better chemicals mean fewer SDSs and less exposure risk, Rehm added. By Jerry Laws, annoted by the editor. Printed in Occupational & Safety magazine.Jun 01, 2014
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority Announces New Alternative, Clean Energy Investments to Improve Environment; Encourage Domestic Energy Development
The Department of Community and Economic Development announced today that Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advance clean and alternative energy sources with the investment of more than $3.4 million in grants through the Commonwealth Financing Authorit (CFA).
CFA approved four projects today through the state's Alternative and Clean Energy (ACE) Program including a biofuels project in Potter County which will create nine full-time jobs and will invest more than $270,000 into the region. Other approved projects include two compressed natural gas fueling stations which have the benefits of reducing emissions and one high performance building project. The CFA investments in Allegheny, Carbon and Potter counties are projected to result in more than $31 million in additional economic investments.
The ACE Program provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loan funds that will be used by eligible applicants for the utilization, development and construction of alternative and clean energy projects in the state.
For more information about the CFA and a complete list of approved projects, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972. Editor's Note: CFA project approvals funded through the ACE Program:
Biofuels Project: Read full article on BIOMAXX on page 8
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Projects: Allegheny County - Ariel Holdings LP, a subsidiary of American Natural Retail, LLC, will receive a $720,000 grant for the construction of a CNG fueling station located in Harmar Township, Allegheny County. The fueling station will have public access and is located at the intersection of 910 and Rich Hill Road and also neighbors Pitt Ohio's new trucking and maintenance terminal. The station will also directly support the conversion of a portion of Pitt Ohio's trucking fleet from diesel to natural gas. Based on current demand, the Harmar CNG station will displace more than 3,500,000 per year of diesel at full capacity.
Hypatia Holdings LP, a subsidiary of American Natural Retail, LLC, will receive a $600,000 grant for the construction of a CNG fueling station located at Franklin Park Borough, Allegheny County. The fueling station will have public access and will be located at 2619 Wexford Bayne Road in Sweickley. The location currently houses an abandoned gas station that Hypatia will renovate. Based on current demand, the Sweickley CNG station will displace more than 100,000 gallons per year of gasoline and diesel.
High Performance Building Project: Carbon County
Leighton Area School District will receive a $2 million grant for the construction of a new USGB LEED Gold K-2 primary and 3-5 elementary center located in Leighton Borough. The new 140,000-square-foot school will replace four aging facilities. The project will include geothermal HVAC system, energy efficient lighting, natural daylighting and thermal envelope. The project is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 4,685,179 kBTU annually. In addition, new low-flow water fixtures will save the district 30 percent of the annual water usage at the building. PRESS RELEASE May 27, 2014, 1:53 p.m. EDT