Mayor Nutter Releases Greenworks Philadelphia Update and 2012 Programs Report

Philadelphia, June 18, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability released the Greenworks Philadelphia Update and 2012 Progress Report, marking the midway point in the plan’s goal for Philadelphia to be the greenest city in America by 2015. Of the 167 initiatives put forth in Greenworks, 38 initiatives are complete, and 110 are currently underway. For the first time, this year’s progress report features metrics for each of the plan’s measurable targets. Progress toward two thirds of the targets is on track, and two of the target goals, Targets 7 and 9, are exceeding expectations. Target 7 is to divert 70% of solid waste from landfill; the City has exceeded that and is now aiming higher. Target 9 was to provide Park and Recreation resources within 10 minutes of 75 % of residents; the City accomplished that and now is aiming to provide walkable access to Park and Recreation Resources for all residents.

“I am proud to say that Philadelphia has made significant progress in our goal to become America’s greenest city. I hope that other cities can learn from our experiences and build off of them,” said Mayor Nutter. “Philadelphia would not be where it is now without the many partners in the public and private sectors who want to see a cleaner, greener and healthier city. Katherine Gajewski and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability have demonstrated strong leadership on this issue.”

Highlights on current progress include:
• A reduction of municipal energy use by 5%;
• A more than tripled rate for curbside residential recycling;
• Increased access to healthy, affordable food for more than 200,000 Philadelphians;
• 428 miles of bike lanes completed

“We are proud to share our progress in implementing the Greenworks Philadelphia plan,” said Gajewski, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “Equally important, however, is the process. With this report we strive to provide numbers and data along with insight into the experience and lessons learned along the way. Our success so far can be attributed to the many partners within and beyond city government who have embraced the Greenworks goals and are playing a leadership role in driving them forward.”

Some of the new initiatives include:
• Benchmarking large City facilities in order to evaluate City government energy consumption;
• Developing a climate adaptation plan that will address specific vulnerabilities and strategies to deal with climate change; and
• Conducting a regional clean economy survey every two years to track trends and outcomes in the clean economy

Mayor Nutter also announced that the City of Philadelphia in partnership with PhillyCarShare now has the nation’s largest publicly accessible fleet of American-made electric vehicles. The City of Philadelphia, through a grant received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, supported the installation of 20 electric vehicle chargers throughout the city. These changes allowed Philly Car Share to add 20 Chevy Volts to its fleet and provide two chargers to the public. The new fleet of electric vehicles allows the more than 10,000 members of Philly Car Share, a division of Enterprise Holdings, access to cutting edge alternative fuel vehicles that are fun to drive and average 100 miles per gallon equivalent.

The full Greenworks Philadelphia Update and 2012 Progress Report can be found at http://www.phila.gov/green.

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES SALE OF CITY REVENUE BONDS FOR BUILDING ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECT

Philadelphia, June 6, 2012 – On May 31, 2012, the City of Philadelphia, through the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, completed the sale of its City Agreement Revenue Bonds, Series 2012A and Series 2012B (Federally Taxable Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds) totaling approximately $12.6 million. Proceeds from the bonds will fund implementation of energy efficiency upgrades at Philadelphia’s City Hall, Justice Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice, Municipal Service Building and One Parkway. The project is a major step toward achieving the goal of reducing City government energy consumption by 30% by 2015 as outlined in Greenworks Philadelphia, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan.

“The City of Philadelphia is committed to a sustainable future, and important projects like this show that the City is leading by example,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “This project reduces our long-term energy consumption, creates new opportunities for businesses, improves City facilities, and saves money which we can use in other areas of need.”

The project uses $6.25 million of the City’s allotment of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs), tax credit bonds that qualify for an interest rate subsidy from the federal government. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated $15 million of QECBs to the City of Philadelphia for funding qualified conservation projects. The 2012 bonds benefited from improving market reception of the City’s credit, and received favorable interest rates, resulting in a true interest cost (net of Federal subsidy) of 2.31% for the 15-year bonds.

The project is being completed under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) program. The act allows municipalities to contract with energy service companies (ESCOs) that guarantee energy efficiency upgrade project savings and commit to pay the difference if actual energy savings fall short of expected savings. The City of Philadelphia contracted with NORESCO, an ESCO, to perform energy audits on targeted buildings and install energy conservation measures (ECMs). The energy savings achieved will more than pay for the energy efficiency improvements, with the energy savings expected to exceed net bond debt service by more than $10.2 million over the life of the transaction.

The City plans to install ECMs, including lighting replacements, control system upgrades, and water conservation improvements, among others. The upgrades will reduce energy usage in the four buildings by approximately 20%, increase human comfort, reduce the immediate capital needs of the facilities, and make the facilities easier to operate. The project’s Economic Opportunity Plan contains aggressive minority, women, and disabled owned business participation rates.

For more information on Greenworks Philadelphia, visit http://www.phila.gov/green

The Philadelphia Energy Authority Will Hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday May 23rd

Philadelphia, May 11, 2012 – The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) will hold a public hearing to garner input on the best ways to fulfill its mission of reducing energy consumption and expense by the City of Philadelphia, facilitating the development of renewable energy projects in the City, and promoting energy awareness in our community. The hearing is scheduled for 4 pm in City Council Chambers.

“The Philadelphia Energy Authority has an important role to play in advancing our Greenworks Philadelphia goals of reducing city government’s energy consumption by 30 percent and raising the entire city’s consumption of renewable energy by 20 percent,” Mayor Nutter said.

“I am pleased to welcome the Philadelphia Energy Authority to City Council Chambers. I look forward to the Authority engaging the public in a meaningful way regarding reducing the costs of operating our government, and educating residents, through energy conservation and alternative energy options,” Council President Clarke said.

“The Philadelphia Energy Authority looks forward to hearing from Philadelphia businesses and residents about how the Authority can advance energy conservation and alternative energy in Philadelphia,” PEA Chairman Christopher Lewis said.

Public testimony will be limited to 3-5 minutes per person in order to ensure all voices are heard. Persons interested in testifying may sign up on site; time will be distributed on a first come first served basis.

If you are interested in testifying, please indicate your interest by contacting Joseph Mondesire (josephmondesire@gmail.com, 215-285-1280), by the close of business May 18, 2012; submit your name, affiliation and contact information. ###

Additional Contact Information:
Philadelphia Energy Authority Chairman Lewis – 215-569-5793
Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities – 215-686-8158
Office of Council President Clarke – 215-686-2070

Mayor Nutter Cuts Ribbon On Wastewater Geothermal Heating Project

Philadelphia, April 12, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter, the Philadelphia Water Department and Philadelphia-based NovaThermal Energy have partnered to be the first site in the United States to deploy a commercial scale geothermal system that provides building heat using domestic wastewater. Mayor Nutter, Novathermal Energy partners, City and U.S. Department of Energy officials and community partners held a ribbon-cutting and tour at the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant where the project has been implemented.

“I am proud to say that Philadelphia is taking another groundbreaking step in becoming the greenest city in America,” said Mayor Nutter. “Partnering with a Philadelphia-based company and using innovative technology, we have achieved a win-win for energy efficiency and economic development. We will be able to save on costs and energy resources at a City facility while commercializing a technology that can be used in large commercial and industrial buildings throughout the country.”

The project demonstrates the City’s commitment to incubate new businesses, deploy clean energy technology as part of its Greenworks Philadelphia goals, be a leader in resource recovery and explore new markets for revenue.

“This project is another example of PWD’s commitment to diversify our energy portfolio as part of our pledge to be a sustainable and cost-conscious utility,” remarked Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug. “The development of technology that essentially recycles wastewater by extracting its energy for reuse is innovative and demonstrates PWD’s national leadership in resource recovery.”

Commercialization of this technology is designed to significantly reduce energy use in large commercial and industrial buildings throughout Philadelphia and the United States. This project is one example of the Department’s long-term plans to add resource recovery to its facilities environmental protection portfolio.

The City of Philadelphia incurred no costs or outlay of expenses for this project, made possible through funding provided by the City of Philadelphia’s Greenworks Pilot Energy Technology Grant program, which is supported by federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of SE Pennsylvania additionally contributed with a grant to support measurement and verification technical assistance.

The project consists of a 1 million BTU/hr unit located in the building’s basement from which heat is directly accessed from the adjacent sewage channel. While the technology can be scaled to a much larger size, this project serves to prove the technology’s energy savings in the U.S. context. At the Southeast Plant, NovaThermal Energy will demonstrate its ability to provide heat at approximately 50% of current cost, realizing $216,000 of savings over 15 years.

About the Philadelphia Water Department
The Philadelphia Water Department serves the Greater Philadelphia region by providing integrated water, wastewater and storm water services. The Department’s mission is to plan for, operate and maintain both the infrastructure and the organization necessary to purvey high quality drinking water, to provide an adequate and reliable water supply for all household, commercial and community needs, and to sustain and enhance the region’s watersheds and quality of life by managing wastewater and stormwater effectively.

About NovaThermal Energy
NovaThermal Energy’s wastewater geothermal energy efficiency technology saves up to 60% in building heating and cooling costs. The system combines a water source heat pump with a patented filtration device to transfer heat energy directly from sewage, using wastewater flows as a heat source. NovaThermal taps into the existing municipal sewer infrastructure, eliminating the land area and cost of geothermal piping or borefields, making the system feasible and affordable for buildings with large energy load requirements.

NovaThermal Energy is a Philadelphia-headquartered company, bringing its proven energy efficiency technology to market in the United States. The company holds an exclusive license for this Chinese technology, and is the US patent holder for improvements to the system.

Report on Residential Building Energy Efficiency released by Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia

The Mayors Office of Sustainability and the Sustainable Business Network are pleased to announce the release of Building Energy Efficiency in Philadelphia: Current Landscape and Recommendations for Increasing Energy Efficiency in Philadelphia’s Housing Stock.

Commissioner Burns Announces Implementation of Legislation Encouraging Solar Panel Use

Philadelphia, January 19, 2012 – The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) has implemented two ordinances designed to encourage the use of solar panels systems in Philadelphia. Sponsored by Councilman Jim Kenney, the two ordinances amend the Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code to greatly reduce the costs of securing both electrical permits and building permits for solar panel systems (also known as photovoltaic systems).

Licenses and Inspections Commissioner Fran Burns stated, “These changes are not only part of the ongoing reform and focus on supporting business development, but also a step towards ensuring a sustainable and competitive future for Philadelphia and its residents. I am excited to support this energy option since solar panel systems decrease dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the risks of rising energy costs in the long-run.”

Commenting, Councilman Jim Kenney said, “Today we move Philadelphia in the right direction, towards a more sustainable and greener future, while also encouraging economic development and job creation. As we continue down this green path, we must be open to further innovation and development of cleaner fuel sources.”

Passed by Council and signed into law by Mayor Nutter in the 2011 Term, Bills 110533 and 110829 amend the Code to exclude the costs of solar panels and inverters in calculating electrical permit and building permit fees when a photovoltaic system is installed.

In 2009, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability released the landmark Greenworks report, setting a variety of sustainability goals, including a key target of purchasing and generating 20 percent of electricity used in Philadelphia from alternative energy sources. The passage and implementation of these code amendments are important steps towards meeting the vision of Greenworks — to make Philadelphia the Greenest City in the United States.

EnergyWorks to Finance Energy-Efficient Upgrade at Historic Commercial Property in Center City Philadelphia

The Goldman Properties Company Among First Philadelphia-Area Development Firms to Apply EnergyWorks Funds to Energy-Saving Improvements

PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 13, 2011 — EnergyWorks, Greater Philadelphia’s one-stop resource for commercial and residential energy improvements, today announced the approval of a $1.04 million loan to The Goldman Properties Company for large-scale energy-saving renovations at an 18-story commercial property in Center City Philadelphia. The ten-year loan, issued at a fixed interest rate of 4%, will be used to replace 1,290 single-pane wooden windows with double-hung, energy efficient, aluminum windows at The Philadelphia Building, located at 1315 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. The upgrade, when compared to the old windows, will result in a 60% decrease in thermal energy consumption and save almost $71,000 in utilities. This represents a 13% savings in the utility bill. The 200,000 square-foot brick-and-masonry Beaux-Arts office building, designed by Horace Trumbauer, serves as an unofficial business incubator for start-up entrepreneurs in creative fields such as architecture, graphic design and fashion.

Tony Goldman, founder and CEO of The Goldman Properties Company, said, “Tenants in The Philadelphia Building are cutting-edge entrepreneurs who are engaged with the city and committed to contributing to its productivity, sustainability and livability. It’s important to provide them with an energy-efficient work environment that speaks to their vision of our region’s future. EnergyWorks allows me to do that simply and inexpensively.”

This project represents one of the first commercial loans awarded by EnergyWorks, a comprehensive energy-solutions program for owners of residential and commercial properties. The program is managed by the Metropolitan Caucus, a coalition of Commissioners and Councilmembers from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties and the Mayor of Philadelphia and is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program.
Mayor Michael Nutter noted, “When we released our Greenworks plan for the city, we made some big promises to reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while creating jobs at the same time. The EnergyWorks program is doing just that. Goldman Properties has made the smart choice to invest in Philadelphia by implementing a project that will save energy and improve the work environment for creative industry employees in The Philadelphia Building.”

The commercial component of EnergyWorks, administered in conjunction with The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and The Reinvestment Fund, provides expert assistance, energy assessments, and low-interest loans to facilitate energy renovations that result in energy reductions of 25% or more. Financing includes construction loans, term loans, and lease financing. The typical interest rate on an EnergyWorks commercial loan can be as low as 3.5%. In addition to providing low cost financing, EnergyWorks helps connect applicants with energy assessment services provided by Practical Energy Solutions. EnergyWorks will support up to 75% of the cost of an energy assessment.  EnergyWorks is actively seeking applications for projects in the suburban counties, as well as for projects in Philadelphia.

Emphasizing the importance of the regional approach, James R. Matthews, Chairman of the County Commissioners of Montgomery County, said, “EnergyWorks made the Ambler Boiler House project happen, simple as that. This is a great example of the kind of progress we can make when we look past political boundaries and cooperate as a region.”

As a national leader in the adaptive reuse of urban buildings, the family-run Goldman Properties Company has been instrumental in transforming the blocks that connect Philadelphia’s vibrant convention and office district to its diverse residential neighborhoods. The firm was also a major force in reviving Manhattan’s SoHo district and the art deco South Beach section of Miami.
For more information on The Goldman Properties Company, visit http://www.goldmanproperties.com.

To learn more about EnergyWorks’ programs for commercial, industrial and residential property owners may call (215) 496-8161 or visit http://www.energyworksnow.com

Rina Cutler Named 2011 Public Works Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine

Philadelphia, September 15, 2011 – Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Public Utilities Rina Cutler has been named the 2011 Public Works Leader of the Year by Penton’s American City and County Magazine. This award is given annually to those who demonstrate outstanding leadership in public works. Deputy Mayor Cutler has been instrumental in the completion of the South Street Bridge, the expansion of Philadelphia’s green infrastructure, the addition of bike lanes, and the increase in recycling rates, according to the magazine’s release.

“I could not be more proud of Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “The City is lucky to have such a knowledgeable, visionary and passionate individual leading Philadelphia’s transportation, infrastructure and greening efforts. Deputy Mayor Cutler understands how to get things done. She has helped transform Philadelphia into a more beautiful city while reducing costs and improving efficiency in her departments.”

Deputy Mayor Cutler added, “I am honored to be recognized as the Public Works Leader of the year by American City and County Magazine. The work we are doing to make Philadelphia a more livable, sustainable and economically dynamic city would not be possible without the leadership of Mayor Nutter, our Streets and Water commissioners, our Airport CEO and the tireless work of thousands of City employees. We have done some amazing work in the last several years including the South Street Bridge, a strong focus on green infrastructure, expanding the bike lane network, launching an airport capacity enhancement program and a spectacular gateway mural at the Philadelphia International Airport. We will continue to work hard at being innovative and meeting the needs of Philadelphians.”

Deputy Mayor Cutler was appointed to the job by Mayor Michael Nutter in March, 2008. She is responsible for the coordination and oversight of all transportation functions in the City of Philadelphia. In addition, Ms. Cutler oversees the operations of a variety of City agencies including the Streets Department, the Philadelphia Water Department, the Philadelphia International Airport, and the City’s interests with a variety of transportation agencies including SEPTA, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority.

Prior to returning to Philadelphia, Ms. Cutler was the Deputy Secretary for Administration at PennDOT since 2003. In addition, Ms. Cutler served for almost 2 years as the Acting District Executive at PennDOT for the 5 county Philadelphia region. Her prior experience includes Transportation Commissioner for the City of Boston, the Director of Parking and Traffic for the City of San Francisco and the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

The subscribers of American City & County submit nominations for the Public Works Leader of the Year Award. The magazine’s editorial staff selects the award’s recipient each year.

American City & County has been the voice of state and local governments since 1909. The magazine serves a nationwide audience of city, county and state officials who are charged with developing and implementing local government policy, programs, and projects. American City & County is published monthly by Penton. For more information about the magazine, visit http://www.americancityandcounty.com

EPA Ranks Philadelphia 14th in 2010 List of Cities with Most Energy Star Certified Buildings

Philadelphia continues to make progress to become greenest city in the United States.

Philadelphia, March 14, 2011- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranked Philadelphia 14th in its 2010 list of U.S. cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings. Buildings that earn the EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification perform in the top 25 percent for energy efficiency when compared to similar buildings nationwide. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy than other buildings and include buildings such as commercial offices and warehouses. This ranking further contributes to the City’s Greenworks Philadelphia commitments to lower citywide building energy consumption by 10 percent by 2015. Philadelphia’s certification rate has risen to a 14th place ranking up from 23rd place ranking in 2009.

“I am thrilled that the City was named by the EPA as one of the top 25 U.S. cities with ENERGY STAR certifications. For three years, the City Administration worked hard with stakeholders and governmental partners to encourage energy efficiency through Greenworks Philadelphia and our many groundbreaking initiatives and partnerships. I will continue to advocate for energy savings as part of our effort to make Philadelphia the greenest city in the United States,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

Philadelphia has undertaken several efforts to promote energy efficiency as part of Greenworks Philadelphia. In November, Mayor Nutter and the Metropolitan Caucus launched EnergyWorks, a comprehensive, regional energy solutions program that encourages individuals and businesses to make energy investments by offering low-interest loans to pay for energy efficiency improvements. This innovative and nationally recognized program is supported by a $25 million US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program fund.

Additionally, Mayor Nutter was appointed by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu to serve as a member of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC). The Committee’s role is to advise the Secretary of Energy on issues related to energy efficiency and renewable energy, and to provide recommendations on long-term planning, priorities, strategy and funding.

“It’s gratifying to see that building owners in the region are increasingly taking advantage of the Energy Star program, which helps to promote the smart steps they are taking to save on energy use and costs,” said Katherine Gajewski, City of Philadelphia Director of Sustainability.

EPA’s ENERGY STAR performance scale was introduced in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce the consumption of greenhouse gas emissions through energy conservancy. Buildings ranked with 75 points or above on a 100 point scale are eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Commercial buildings that can earn ENERGY STAR certification include office buildings, bank branches, medical offices, supermarkets, retail stores and warehouses. For more information, please visit http://www.energystar.gov.

Greenworks Philadelphia sets goals in five areas—energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement—and its work encompasses more than 150 initiatives. The initiatives are intended to reduce the city’s vulnerability to rising energy prices, to limit its environmental footprint, and to reposition its workforce to build upon Philadelphia’s competitive advantages in the emerging green economy. For more information, please visit http://www.phila.gov/green/.

SECRETARY CHU APPOINTS MAYOR MICHAEL A. NUTTER TO DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mayor Nutter to serve on the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee

Philadelphia, November 29, 2010 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter has been appointed to serve on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC) by U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu.  The Committee’s role is to advise the Secretary of Energy on issues related to energy efficiency and renewable energy, and to provide recommendations on long-term planning, priorities, strategy and funding.

“We have a plan to make Philadelphia America’s number one green city and I am proud that we are becoming a leader in the creation of a new green economy,” said Mayor Nutter.  “By encouraging clean tech businesses to locate in Philadelphia and supporting the creation of new green technologies we are creating jobs and helping small businesses today, saving homeowners money today, but also investing in the future and keeping America competitive for the next 100 years.”

The City of Philadelphia is fast becoming one of America’s leading clean tech cities.  Earlier this year the federal government, including the Department of Energy, awarded a $129 million grant to the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy Efficient Buildings (GPIC) for the establishment of a national Energy Innovation Hub at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for the creation and commercialization of energy efficiency technologies.  In October 2010, Mayor Nutter announced that The Mark Group, a home energy efficiency firm based in the United Kingdom, will establish its U.S. Headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard creating around 250 new jobs in Philadelphia.  And earlier this month Mayor Nutter and the Metropolitan Caucus launched EnergyWorks, a program funded with a $25 million grant from the Department of Energy to provide a range of services and financing mechanisms to homeowners and businesses to help them finance improvements and save money on their energy bills.

Mayor Nutter is the only elected official to serve on the Committee and was asked by Secretary Chu to serve as a “representative of local governments engaged in accelerating the incorporation of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies into the existing energy portfolio.”  The Committee is expected to meet twice per year with the first meeting taking place on Tuesday November 30, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

A list of the other members of the Committee can be found here: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/eere_advisory_committee/members.html