For costs contact NISTM at: 800-827-3515 or ian@nistm.org

AGENDA TOPICS include Storage Tank System Management, Fuel Quality, Operator Certification, Alternative Fuels—E15, Industry Technologies,
Compliance Strategies, New UST Regulations , plus interesting speakers from PADEP on tank inspections and regulations relative to PA Storage Tanks.

For more information on the PA Storage Tank conference classes, agenda for April 27, 2012, or other questions please contact Sam Capri at 609-760-6158 or samcapri@ttienv.com. Sam represents PCIC Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council and the PA regulated community on the STAC Storage Tank Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) . He will be at the storage tank conference to discuss any PA storage tank issues or questions. Sam Capri is Director of Inspections at TTI – Technical Testing and Inspections, a Division of TTI Environmental, Inc., Sam was previously Chief Inspector for over 23 years for the Rohm and Haas Company, a Chemical Company based out of Philadelphia, Pa. He is experienced as a PADEP, API 653, 510, 570, STI Inspector and AWS CWI and Level II NDE.

The webpage includes several new features, including the Earth Day proclamation from Governor Corbett; an interactive calendar searchable by county, where event planners can promote their activities; biographies of environmental professionals with information about environmental careers; and links to educational resources.

This year’s theme is “Honoring Pennsylvania’s Environmental Public Servants.” For more information and to view the webpage, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click the “Earth Day” button.

“Cosmo has great experience in the public and private sectors and he brings a track record of creative problem solving of complex environmental regulatory and policy matters to us at DEP,” Krancer said. “He is also very accomplished at working with all stakeholders in the process. We are delighted to welcome him to our team.”

Read the DEP news release on Servidio’s appointment here.

The Corbett administration sent out a press release praising the decision, saying that “Pennsylvania is ideal for this project.” An American Chemistry Council study estimated that more than 10,000 new permanent jobs would be created in chemical and supplier industries as a result of a cracker facility locating in the region – not counting temporary construction jobs.

Text of Feb. 28 press release.

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will convene a stakeholder meeting to discuss the potential implementation of the second phase of the energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) program as part of the Commission’s continuing implementation of Act 129 of 2008.

Commission staff will convene the Act 129 Stakeholder meeting on March 16, 2012, at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg. The purpose of the meeting is to allow interested parties to discuss views on possible timeline issues, additional planning and implementation, as well as to begin a dialogue about the potential energy reduction targets for phase two of Act 129.

The Commission is convening the meeting to prepare for the potential extension of Act 129, although no formal Commission decision has been made to extend the program. By initiating the phase II Act 129 planning process well in advance of 2013, the Commission intends to facilitate a smooth transition to minimize any possible program lapses considering whether we decide to move to the second phase of the program.

A secretarial letter will be forthcoming identifying a tentative implementation schedule and planning issues soliciting comments on these and other issues surrounding this second phase of the EE&C program. The stakeholder meeting will give interested parties an opportunity to seek clarification on the issues presented in the secretarial letter and raise additional questions or issues to be addressed in designing and implementing phase two of the EE&C program that should be helpful in formulating comments to the secretarial letter.

At this stakeholder group meeting, attendees will be able to express their views on the processes and issues which are important to them, as well as a timeline for planning the potential second phase. The meeting format will be informal, allowing for an open dialogue among the interested parties and Commission staff.

On Oct. 15, 2008, Gov. Rendell signed HB 2200 into law as Act 129 of 2008. The Act added several new sections to, and amends several existing sections of, the Public Utility Code. In order to comply with the Act in an orderly and efficient manner, the Commission is implementing the Act in phases. The first phase dealt with the Commission’s obligation to adopt an energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) program by Jan. 15, 2009, to meet the legislatively mandated energy reduction targets through May 31, 2013.

Other aspects of the Commission’s Act 129 implementation process address EDC and default service provider responsibilities; conservation service providers; smart meter technology; time-of-use rates; real-time pricing plans; default service procurement; market misconduct; alternative energy sources; and cost recovery.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

Contact: Erika Dominick, 717-787-5722

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Contact: Jennifer Scott (202) 249-6512
Email: Jennifer_Scott@americanchemistry.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 7, 2012) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today announced the launch of a new energy advocacy and awareness campaign, From Chemistry to Energy. Cal Dooley, ACC President and CEO, was joined by members of Congress and business leaders at an event on Capitol Hill.
“In order for our economy to grow, U.S. industries to innovate and compete globally, and businesses to create new jobs, a national energy strategy is critical,” said Dooley. “Through this campaign, we will promote the development of sound energy policies that support these goals, while highlighting chemistry’s role in enabling a strong, secure and sustainable future for the United States.”
Americans agree that a national energy strategy is needed. According to a recent national survey conducted by Washington-based Clarus Research Group, an overwhelming majority of voters (94 percent) believe that a “comprehensive energy policy is essential to building a strong economy, creating new jobs, and making America more competitive with other countries.” To view the full survey findings, please visit ChemistryToEnergy.com.
“Many people don’t realize that the chemistry industry is the foundation of America’s manufacturing sector,” said Jim Gallogly, CEO of LyondellBasell. “Chemistry creates the basic building blocks for countless products Americans rely on every day, as well as 96 percent of all manufactured goods made in the United States. Abundant, affordable domestic natural gas has created a new competitive edge for American chemistry, and it’s driving a renaissance in U.S. manufacturing.”
“America’s chemistry industry is a technology and materials innovator and can play a central role in meeting energy challenges,” said Gary W. Spitzer, President, DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts. “At DuPont, we are intensely focused on using science to address major challenges, including the need for abundant, affordable and increasingly clean energy. We offer solutions that enable renewable energy technologies as well as reduced energy consumption, and we continuously improve our own energy efficiency. These efforts reflect the kinds of contributions being made across our industry.”
A recent ACC study found that the use of chemistry in energy-saving products and technologies helps save up to 10.9 quadrillion Btus of energy annually, enough to power up to 56 million households or up to 135 million vehicles each year, and saving Americans up to $85 billion in energy costs annually.
ACC will be advocating for a comprehensive national energy strategy that maximizes all domestic energy resources, with a focus on robust and responsible production of domestic shale gas; improved residential, commercial and industrial energy efficiency; and expanded adoption of energy recovery programs. Each will help meet national energy security, economic and environmental goals while also creating value for the business of chemistry.
For more information about the From Chemistry to Energy campaign, please visit ChemistryToEnergy.com. Also, join the conversation on Twitter using #Chemistry2Energy and follow campaign updates at @AmChemistry and blog.americanchemistry.com.

Text of March 9 press release.

Harrisburg – The Department of Environmental Protection announced today it has awarded more than $62,000 in grants to help 31 small businesses across the state invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

“This program empowers small-business owners to invest in important upgrades that make the most sense for their business,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “It gives them the opportunity to lower the costs of production, which makes them better environmental stewards and more competitive.”

Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program began in 2004 and is funded by the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act. It provides small businesses with fewer than 100 employees a 50-percent matching reimbursement grant, up to $7,500, to implement projects that will save $1,000 in addition to 25 percent of annual pollution prevention or energy-related costs. Since its inception, the program has invested $6.1million in 1,571 small businesses statewide.

Possible projects include installing a high-efficiency HVAC system, upgrading insulation, investing in high-efficiency lighting, setting up energy-efficient heat pumps and employing auxiliary power units to improve air quality and save fuel through reduced engine idling by large trucks during layovers and delays.

For more information about the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, contact DEP’s Small Business Ombudsman’s Office at 717-772-8909 or via email at epadvantagegrant@pa.gov.

Editor’s Note: The 31 grant recipients are listed below, alphabetically by county, with the project location and award amount. Those marked with an asterisk received additional funding through the Storm-Related Advantage Grant Program as a result of 2011 flooding.

Allegheny County

Marc Anthony Construction, Pittsburgh ($7,500)

Beaver County

Snowy White Dry Cleaners Inc., Aliquippa ($3,897)
Snowy White Laundry, Monaca ($3,342)

Bradford County

Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Athens ($9,500)•
Lowery’s Life Appreciation Center LLC, Athens ($9,500)•

Bucks County

Fire Creek Associates II LLC, St. Davids ($7,500)

Butler County

David M. Ruffner, Butler ($4,300)

Cambria County

Johnstown Park Building Inc., Johnstown ($5,645)

Columbia County

Precision Millwright & Fabrication Service, Orangeville ($7,055)•

Dauphin County

Appalachian Stone Inc., Duncannon ($6,060)

Fayette County

E.I. Systems, Uniontown ($2,300)

Lackawanna County

Elmhurst Quick Stop, Elmhurst Township ($3,250)
Scranton-Connell LP, St. Davids ($7,500)

Lawrence County

Cheslock Enterprises LLC, New Castle ($7,500)
Ferrante Upholstering & Carpeting, Wampum ($6,400)
Scott A. Colwell, Bessemer ($4,300)

Lebanon County

Lebanon Valley Cycle Sales Inc., Jonestown ($6,190)

Luzerne County

Austie’s Family Restaurant, Hanover Township ($9,500)•
Jake’s Outpost, Shickshinny ($3,500)•
RE Realty LLC, Exeter ($3,122)•
Screen Printing USA, Mountain Top ($5,550)
Skovish Brothers Pools & Spas, Shickshinny ($8,970)•

Lycoming County

Bailey’s Auto Body, Muncy ($9,000)•
Coder’s Dry Cleaning, Williamsport ($7,500)
DiSalvos Restaurant & Pasta Products, Williamsport ($3,439)
O’Boys Inc., Williamsport ($7,500)
Williams Auto Transport, Williamsport ($4,300)

Mercer County

Kevin E. Gagliardi, D.M.D., Hermitage ($7,500)

Montgomery County

Melrose Service Center, Elkins Park ($2,650)

Northumberland County

Keystone Pallets & Recycling LLC, Lewisburg ($2,050)•

Philadelphia County

Linn One Hour Cleaners Inc., Philadelphia ($7,500)

Contact: Amanda Witman, 717-787-1323

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The PEG PAC dinner is a major political event that annually draws strong attendance from the executive and legislative branches as well as the state’s business community. This year the dinner will feature Scott Rasmussen as keynote speaker. He is the founder
and president of Rasmussen Reports, a well-known national political and lifestyle polling firm – and was also one of the original co-founders of ESPN. The dinner will be held at the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill, PA.

Founded on this date in 1972 as an organization dedicated to the ideals of free enterprise capitalism, PEG PAC has since given millions of dollars to like-minded state-wide, judicial and legislative candidates. The organization was among the first to endorse

Governor Tom Corbett and supported him in his previous campaigns for Attorney General. PEG PAC is affiliated with the PA Business Council which is headed by former PCIC President Dave Patti.

PCIC is seeking member company support for dinner participation. PEG PAC will reserve one or two PCIC tables at the dinner depending on the level of member company support. Individual tickets are $300.The annual dinner is the primary way PEG raises money to support deserving pro-business candidates. Tickets are $3,000 per table (or $300 per person) plus there is a VIP reception prior to the dinner at the cost of $100 per person. Because this is a fundraiser for PEG PAC, corporate contributions are not permitted. Dinner tickets can be purchased by PAC or personal contributions.

Corporate sponsorships are still available for an afternoon event being held in conjunction with the dinner. The “Political Carnival” will run from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Radisson Camp Hill. The event will be headlined by Tim Farley, host of XM/Sirius Radio’s P.O.T.U.S. channel. Two former state party chairmen – Democrat T.J. Rooney and Republican Alan Novak – will square off during one segment of the agenda. Reporters, political consultants, and analysts will also appear during the program. Corporate contributions can be accepted for sponsorships of the “Political Carnival.”

PCIC is offering this opportunity to members to participate in one of the major events of the year for the business community and the political community. Please contact JeffPeters, PCIC President, at Jeff@pcic.org or peters@thebravogroup.com for details on dinner ticket purchases and “Carnival” sponsorships. Depending on the level of member response, PCIC will work with PEG PAC staff to arrange high ranking public officials to sit at the PCIC tables. In addition, if a sufficient number of PCIC members participate, we will arrange PCIC events with legislators and the Administration for Wednesday, May 2.

A summary of House Bill 1950 is available here.