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

Citizens Planning Institute Announces Philadelphia Zoning Code Training Series

Philadelphia, March 16, 2012 – The Citizens Planning Institute (CPI), the Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s educations program to engage citizens in the city planning process, will offer a Spring-Summer 2012 training series on the new Philadelphia zoning code, which was signed by Mayor Michael A. Nutter in December 2011. The classes, sponsored in partnership with the Department of Licenses and Inspections, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, and the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, will provide citizens with the opportunity to learn more about the zoning code. Registration opens today, and the first classes will begin on April 24, 2012.

“The Citizens Planning Institute is a new way to educate Philadelphians about city planning,” said Mayor Nutter. “We set out to educate our citizens on development and zoning so they can share this information with their neighbors, friends and colleagues. Planning is about the future of our communities, our neighborhoods, our city, and I want to encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about how we can create a more livable, green and sustainable Philadelphia.”

The new zoning code includes changes to the City’s development regulations and approval procedures such as:

• Making the zoning code more user-friendly;
• Reducing number of zoning classifications;
• Incorporating a civic design review process; and
• Establishing the role of citizens in the zoning approval process.

To sign up, individuals can visit www.zoningmatters.com to participate in two core classes, the Comprehensive Overview of the Zoning Code and Administration & Procedure, as well as have the opportunity to sign up for three electives. The registration fee for the core classes is $160 and each elective class is $45. Currently also open for registration is the CPI Spring Citizen Planner course series. Registration for these classes ends on March 27, 2012.

Mayor Nutter, Streets Department Kick off Countdown to Philly Spring Clean Up

Philadelphia, March 6, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the Philadelphia Streets Department kicked off the countdown to the 5^thAnnual Philly Spring Cleanup on April 14^th (rain date April 28^th). Starting today, residents can volunteer for a Philly Spring Cleanup project online at www.phillyspringcleanup.com. The press conference was held a McPherson Square Park in order to highlight ongoing revitalization efforts there.

“I’m continually inspired by what we achieve every year during the Philly Spring Cleanup,” said Mayor Nutter. “Thousands of volunteers, hundreds of projects and millions of pounds of trash and recycling have been collected over the last four years. We’ve accomplished a lot, but I know we can do better this year. In honor of the Philly Spring Cleanup’s fifth anniversary, let’s work together to make this the best cleanup yet and keep the effort going all year long.”

Mayor Nutter was joined today by Streets Department Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources Michael DiBerardinis, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Deputy Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams, dozens of community groups, Kensington residents and Philly Spring Cleanup sponsors and partner organizations.

“The Philly Spring Cleanup is all about establishing civic pride, creating a better quality of life and taking ownership of our neighborhoods not just one day, but ever day,” said Commissioner Tolson. “We need to build off the momentum established during the cleanup and ‘Keep Up the Sweep Up’ year-round.”

City residents and organizations can become involved in the 5th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup by registering as project site or to volunteer. City residents and organizations who wish to participate should visit www.PhillySpringCleanup.com. The deadline for submitting a project is Friday, March 30, 2012. Residents may also call the Streets Department’s Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560, or call 3-1-1.

The Countdown event this afternoon also highlighted the work happening to revitalize McPherson Square Park in Kensington. Over the years, McPherson has dealt with many issues including crime, drugs and blight, which have adversely affected the Park. Recently, local nonprofits and city agencies have banded together to make the park safer, cleaner and a better resource for local residents.

Major Philly Spring Cleanup sponsors include Waste Management, the Carton Council, DOW, Covanta Energy, Republic Services, BigBelly Solar Compactor and ReCommunity Building.

Among the partners who are working on the Philly Spring Cleanup and/or the revitalization of McPherson Square Park are the following: Philadelphia Streets Department, UnLitter Us, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, Community Action Center of the United Way Southeastern Pennsylvania, City Year, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Services, Philadelphia Recycling Rewards, Recyclebank, HACE, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, The PhillyRising Collaborative, The Free Library of Philadelphia, Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia in McPherson Square Park, Impact Services, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Aspira, Epic, New Kensington CDC and PHS (The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society).

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.

Mayor Nutter Signs Zoning Code

The first comprehensive zoning code reform in 50 years

Philadelphia, December 22, 2011 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter signed legislation that comprehensively rewrites and modernizes Philadelphia’s zoning code for the first time in fifty years. The four-year code rewrite process included 50 public meetings of the Zoning Code Commission (ZCC); two public hearings in City Council chambers; 36 community-based meetings; seven Stakeholder X-Change meetings; two public meetings to discuss why the Commission adopted, rejected, or modified a group’s proposal; interviews with 125 professional zoning code users and surveys of nearly 2,000 individuals on components of the proposed new zoning code.

The Zoning Code, which was passed by City Council unanimously, codifies the City’s development regulations and sets expectations regarding land use. In February 2007, City Council unanimously approved a resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the Zoning Code Commission, and providing for the submission of the amendment to the voters of Philadelphia. The measure was overwhelmingly approved by voters, with 80 percent of citizens voting in favor of reforming the City’s Zoning Code.
“I am delighted to sign this once-in-a-generation legislation that makes Philadelphia more attractive to developers, promotes growth, and brings our zoning code into the 21st century,” said Mayor Nutter. “Good planning is our best way to preserve the past and to anticipate the future. This modern code will help Philadelphia, in the years to come, to ensure healthy, sustainable development that protects our neighborhoods and grows our city.”

The new zoning code includes changes to the City’s development regulations and approval procedures such as:
• Making the zoning code more user-friendly;
• Reduced number of zoning classifications;
• Incorporation of a civic design review process; and
• Establishing the role of citizens in the zoning approval process.

In June 2008, Mayor Nutter offered his vision for planning in Philadelphia in the years to come. He returned the Philadelphia City Planning Commission as the authority for broad planning and development-related decisions, established the Design Review Advisory Board to provide guidance to the Planning Commission when evaluating aesthetics, form and community context for proposed projects, placed sustainability as a central factor in evaluating development proposals, and the directed the ZCC to complete the first comprehensive code reform in 35 years. Since then there has been much progress:
• The Planning Commission has adopted the Citywide Vision component of the Philadelphia2035 Comprehensive Plan and initiated the first two of 18 district plans;
• Greenworks Philadelphia, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan has been released and will reach its midway review in 2012;
• The Office of Property Assessment (OPA) is currently undergoing a city-wide property reassessment process; and
• In 2010, the Planning Commission established the Citizens Planning Institute (CPI), with funding from the William Penn Foundation and Office of Housing and Community Development, to educate Philadelphia residents to become “citizen planners” in their neighborhoods and communities. Since then, 90 Philadelphians have graduated.

“Our new code will help to attract investment to Philadelphia, and will also give our communities an organized means for their thoughts, concerns and input to be considered in the planning process,” said Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger. “This transformative code will prevent many of the road blocks that currently inhibit growth and will make Philadelphia’s development and planning more coherent, consistent and predictable in the future.”

Eva Gladstein, Executive Director of the ZCC, added, “The newly reformed zoning code will be a tool that all Philadelphians can understand and use. The ZCC received tremendous and valuable feedback from citizens that drove this process and is reflected in the final code. The engagement of Philadelphians throughout this process contributed greatly to its success.”

Mayor Nutter, EPA Administrator Jackson Highlight Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Philadelphia, April 21, 2011 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz highlighted the Philadelphia Water Department’s Big Green Block initiative at Shissler Recreation Center and the Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). The Big Green Block initiative, part of the Administration’s Green City, Clean Waters plan, promotes greening and stormwater management of the city blocks within the community surrounding the Shissler Recreation Center through implementing several green stormwater infrastructure systems on the property. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), the New Kensington Community Development Corporation, Sustainable 19125, the Mural Arts Program and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

“When we talk about sustainability and about green cities in the future, water must be among the first issues addressed. We can’t be green without water. The Big Green Block initiative is an exciting example of how we can work together toward a common vision of William Penn’s green country town,” said Mayor Nutter. “I would like to thank EPA Administrator Jackson for recognizing the importance of stormwater management in America’s cities, and especially Howard Neukrug and the Water Department for their forward thinking.”

“Instead of investing in one project that treats one concern, green infrastructure allows us to protect the health of our waters, save money and make our communities more attractive places to buy homes and build businesses,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “We want to use the win-win strategies we see here with the Big Green Block Initiative and other projects throughout the city to make every community healthier, more prosperous and more sustainable.”

“Not only does this initiative fit into the Mayor’s goal of greening the city, but it establishes Philadelphia’s leadership on innovative green technologies for water management and water quality,” U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz said. “Philadelphia will set an example for large and small cities across the nation to improve and maintain water quality through green infrastructure.”

The Green City, Green Waters plan, which was submitted to the EPA and the PA Department of Environment Protection, details how the PWD will invest $2 billion over the next 25 years to update the city’s stormwater infrastructure and manage sewage and stormwater overflow.

Stormwater infrastructure updates include a range of soil-water-plant systems to intercept stormwater, infiltrate a portion of it into the ground, evaporate a portion of it into the air, and in some cases, release it slowly into the sewer system. As a result, less stormwater ultimately enters the combined sewer system.

The Big Green Block initiative includes the Shissler Recreation Center, Kensington CAPA High School and the surrounding streets. At the Shissler Recreation Center, PWD installed stormwater tree trenches in the sport/ball field along Blair Street and Hewson Street. Two additional stormwater tree trenches will be installed by PWD along Palmer Street and Montgomery Avenue. The drainage area managed by these PWD green stormwater infrastructure systems is 54,290 square feet. PWD will also plant street trees on Berks Street and Blair Street to increase tree canopy cover and shade. PHS installed two rain gardens in the parking lot of the Shissler Recreation Center.

The Kensington CAPA High School, which is adjacent to the Shissler Recreation Center, features a master plan including implementation of several stormwater infrastructure systems including a porous pavement parking lot, rain gardens, underground detention and infiltration facilities, green roofs covering 50 percent of the roof area and rainwater cisterns for reuse.

“Ensuring the sustainable future of our neighborhoods must be a top priority for all Philadelphians, and the Big Green Block in New Kensington is the gold standard for reaching that goal,” said Drew Becher, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “PHS is proud to be part of this effort, which includes our new initiative, Plant One Million, to increase the tree canopy in every city neighborhood and the region.”

Philadelphia Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug added, “We want to do everything we can to return us as close as possible to the way the nature intended the water cycle to be. Bur we need to do that in the context of a city that is fully grown, with impervious cover everywhere. We recognize that if we manage stormwater where it lands, whether on the ground or on a roof, that we can essentially not only prevent that gallon of stormwater from overflowing into our streams, but also provide additional benefits to our communities.”

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/.

MAYOR NUTTER NAMES NEW MEMBER TO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

Philadelphia, January 14, 2010- Mayor Michael A. Nutter has appointed Elizabeth Kay Miller, a respected non-profit manager with expertise in community development and design, to the City Planning Commission.

“I am very pleased to appoint someone with the qualifications, the imagination and the energy of Beth Miller,” said Mayor Nutter. “She has demonstrated real leadership in the areas of planning and design for many years.”

Since 2001, Ms. Miller has been the executive director of the Community Design Collaborative, a non-profit that has worked with community-based organizations on design issues. Ms. Miller has more than 20 years experience in strategic planning, community development and non-profit management, including work at Fairmount Ventures Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation at its Mid-Atlantic regional office.

Ms. Miller is the first full-time executive director at the volunteer-based community design center. The Collaborative connects local nonprofits with its network of 1,000 plus volunteer design professionals to provide pro bono design assistance in service to neighborhood revitalization.

In 2010, the Collaborative provided nearly $1 million and 9,500 volunteer hours in pro bono design assistance throughout the Philadelphia region, helping 46 nonprofit and public agencies strengthen neighborhoods through design. In 2005, the Collaborative launched Infill Philadelphia, a five–year, three–phase initiative underwritten by the William Penn Foundation to cultivate innovative design strategies for urban infill development.
“I am honored by this invitation to serve on the Planning Commission and look forward to working with a committed group of commissioners and others throughout Philadelphia who are also incredibly dedicated to shaping the future of our world class city,” Ms. Miller said.

Ms. Miller has a B.A. in the growth and structure of cities from Bryn Mawr College and an M.A. in government administration from the Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.

The City Planning Commission is responsible for guiding the orderly growth and development of the City of Philadelphia, based on the 1951 Home Rule Charter that defines the powers and duties of the Commission to include the preparation of a Comprehensive Plan and its modifications; the Capital Program and Budget; proposed zoning ordinances and amendments; and regulations concerning the subdivision of land.

Today, the Commission has an equal emphasis on non-physical development issues such as economic development, housing policy, and human services delivery. The Commission has also given new importance to physical development as a result of environmental concerns, interest in historic preservation, the increasing complexity and magnitude of development proposals, and the special emphasis placed on humanizing the scale of the City through urban design.

Groundbreaking for Two LEED Buildings at Navy Yard

MAYOR NUTTER, SENATOR SPECTER, CONGRESSMAN BRADY, LIBERTY PROPERTY TRUST HOST GROUNDBREAKING AT NAVY YARD

This Navy Yard project marks Liberty Property Trust’s first major investment since May 2009.

Philadelphia, January 3, 2010- Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Senator Arlen Specter, Congressman Robert Brady and Liberty Property Trust hosted a groundbreaking for the first two of three planned flexible-use buildings that will be developed in the Navy Yard Commerce Center. The project will be funded by $12.89 million in allocated Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZ-FBs) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Liberty Property Trust received a total of $16 million in RZ-FBs and will use the remainder for infrastructure improvements at The Navy Yard Corporate Center.

RZ-FBs are a new, tax-exempt private activity bond created specifically by ARRA to be distributed by municipalities for business development activities. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania increased its RZ-FB commitment to the City from $12.89 million to $16 million based on the City’s ability to efficiently utilize the stimulus funding before the end of 2010.

“The Navy Yard is at the center of the growing clean tech economy in the United States, and the addition of these new buildings will have one of the largest concentrations of LEED certified buildings on a single campus anywhere in the country. Philadelphia is committed to growing our industry in a sustainable, smart and business-friendly way,” said Mayor Nutter. “This development reflects the strategic and well coordinated allocation of ARRA funding by the City with the cooperation of partners like the Commonwealth, PIDC, and private businesses. I would like to thank everyone for their efficient and decisive actions to make this development possible.”

Congressman Brady added, “This project is a perfect example of how targeted Federal funds can help grow jobs. Thanks to the partnership of the Mayor, the Governor, our Congressional delegation, PIDC and business, Philadelphia’s Navy Yard has become a leader in urban job creation.”

“Liberty’s investment in developing these new flexible, industrial buildings signals their confidence in Philadelphia and The Navy Yard as a choice location for growing companies and provides The Navy Yard with an inventory of modern industrial facilities that will appeal to a wide variety of users.  We appreciate Liberty’s investment and confidence and look forward to working with them to fill these buildings with dynamic companies of all types,” said Peter Longstreth, President of Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.

The first two Navy Yard Commerce Center buildings will occupy a total 103,137 square feet of space and will be located at 4020 S. 26^th Street and 4050 S. 26^th Street. The third building, on which Liberty Property Trust will begin construction as the first two are completed, will expand capacity by an additional 82,863 square feet. The Fretz Corporation, a leading appliance wholesale distributor, agreed to lease nearly half of the 4050 S. 26^th Street building. Each building will be LEED certified. The development project will create 100 new constructions jobs.

“The Philadelphia Navy Yard has truly become a magnet for business,” said William P. Hankowsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Property Trust. “We appreciate our partnership with the city and PIDC and look forward to continuing to develop the Navy Yard’s capacity for attracting leading companies.”

The ARRA funding authorizes the City of Philadelphia to assign an issuing authority to issue tax-exempt bonds for private activity use. The Administration has partnered with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) to structure and issue the RZ-FBs on behalf of Liberty Property Trust. The Federal government is awarding an available $15 billion nationwide in RZ-FBs.

RZ-FBs are issued in Federal Recovery Zones, which include:

1. Any area designated by the issuer as having poverty, unemployment, rate of home foreclosures, or distress;
2. Any area designated by the issuers as economically distressed by reason of the closure or realignment of a military installation pursuant to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990; and
3. Any area for which a designation as an Empowerment Zone or Renewal Community is in effect.

About Liberty Property Trust

Headquartered in Malvern, PA, Liberty is dedicated to enhancing people’s lives through extraordinary work environments. The real estate investment trust (REIT) serves customers in the United States and United Kingdom through the development, acquisition, ownership and management of superior office and industrial properties.  Liberty’s 80 million square foot portfolio offers exceptional locations and flexible design to more than 2,100 tenants at approximately 750 office, distribution and light manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit www.libertyproperty.com.

 

 

MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO CUTTING EDGE CLEAN TECH BUSINESSES

Awards will assist Philadelphia companies in bringing products to market.
Philadelphia, October 28, 2010 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that the City would offer grants to three local businesses developing cutting edge green technologies. This effort, titled the Greenworks Pilot Energy Technology Program (G-PET), will help the companies conduct real-world pilots of their products, a crucial step toward bringing their products successfully to market. The businesses receiving grants are: BuLogics, a building energy management systems firm, NovaThermal, a maker of innovative heat pumps, and Niche Waste, a manufacturer of sophisticated food waste management systems.

“Turning ideas into products, companies and jobs is one of the most important things we can do to harness the power of the growing clean tech economy,” said Mayor Nutter. “That’s what this is all about – helping Philadelphia businesses bring their concepts to life. Thoughtful investment strategies are why the region is increasingly seen as a center for the clean tech economy. It’s why the Department of Energy and other federal agencies are investing nearly $130 million to build the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy Efficient Buildings (GPIC), and why cutting edge international firms like the Mark Group are basing their operations in Philadelphia.”

The goal of this innovation program, the only one of its kind in the United States, was to find companies whose products had sound technical footing and strong business plans but were still relatively untested. Demonstrating “real world” success by finding a “first user” can be a major barrier to the success of new projects. Therefore, G-PET helped companies find that “first user” by absorbing the cost and risk of adopting the product.

For several of the awards, the “first user” will actually be a public facility, meaning that the City will benefit not only indirectly, from the growth of the companies being supported, but directly, in the form of savings on energy costs on its own bills.

“We are truly thankful to be a recipient of the Greenworks Pilot Energy Technology Program grant, a wonderful initiative sponsored by the City of Philadelphia, PIDC, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners,” said Mirka Walczak, chief executive officer of BuLogics, Inc. “Our company mission is to help others save energy through our inventions, while maintaining a socially and environmentally responsible attitude in all that we do. And the G-Pet grant allows us to do just that.” ”

“We may never have been able to pave the way for such exciting energy conservation projects without the G-PET grant. Evolve Guest Controls, and its Philadelphia-based technology affiliate BuLogics, will bring innovation and energy savings to the Inn at Penn that we feel will make a significant impact on our use of energy resources. We look forward to our installation of this state-of-the-art guest room energy management system, “Greg Stafford, General Manager, Inn at Penn.

Awards from the program are as follows:

Awardee	Amount of Award	Project
BuLogics	$175,000	New energy control systems at the Navy Yard and the Inn at Penn
Nova Thermal	$150,000	New heat pump for building heat and energy extraction from effluent stream at Philadelphia Water Department Facility
Niche Waste	$18,500	Composting dumpster for bio-waste at Navy Yard

G-PET was developed by the City of Philadelphia and implemented in partnership with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Applicants applied online over the summer, and their applications were reviewed by a panel of independent scientists and investors to select those that have the best chance of moving successfully into the market, creating jobs, and advancing the region as a center for the clean tech economy.

“G-PET is unique. Its goal is to fund pilot testing of new energy-related products being developed by innovative, regional enterprises. That work will help accelerate the introduction of new products into the marketplace,” said RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President & CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA.

Given the success of the first round of G-PET, a second round of funding is being made available immediately. Applicants can apply online athttp://www.sep.benfranklin.org/programs-services/industries-sectors/energy/g-pet/.