SEEDS offers Group Rate Pricing –  Cheaper by the half dozen - Six more roofs in our area will soon get solar power!!      

SEEDS sponsored a DIY Solar workshop in April, conducted by Martin Young, an experienced local solar installer who got his original training from a SEEDS-sponsored course. The seminar was held Tuesdays – April 16^th, 23^rd and 30^th in the Honesdale Park Street Complex from 7 – 9 pm each night. The workshop was free and open to the general public, and resulted in six orders for solar kits for our area!

The first night offered an overview of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Solar , including costs, payback, and the return on a solar  investment.  Evaluation of sites for rooftop solar was also discussed, and tips about new smart phone apps that help with the evaluation, were shared. Martin also offered advice on how to create drawings which are required for township permitting.  Basically, the information required to make a decision about whether to proceed with a solar installation was covered. 64 people attended our first session.

During the second evening of the workshop, people began to do the actual work involved. All the equipment required to connect the inverters to panels, and panels to racking was there, including a solar panel, weighing approximately 45 pounds. Martin encouraged folks to pick it up and feel the weight of it. Loading these on to the roof top is one of the most difficult aspects of a DIY solar installation. Members of the SEEDS Solar Committee built a roof top section that was used for demonstration. Participants went through the process of mounting the rack and panel.  Martin provided many helpful tips during the workshop, including several comic anecdotes from the many installation projects he has worked on. The workshop was very informative and engaging.  SEEDS provided baked goods and an atmosphere for friends to begin to collaborate.  Nearly 40 people were in attendance for the second night, and friendships were starting to form. A couple of folks were offering their help with another’s installation in exchange for help with their own.

The third and final session was a more intimate discussion among the remaining 23 attendees who were interested in making a DIY Solar Installation kit purchase. Martin addressed individual questions, and talked about the future of solar. It was his opinion that the current technology and efficiency in solar panels will not be outdated for years to come. It was emphasized that the decision to install solar is very much a financial one, and the return on the investment of the outlay of money for solar power was reviewed. Martin explained how he could help those ready to purchase now by shopping for the group’s total number of panels, rather than folks buying their own individual kits.   Six people signed up for 14 panel Do-It-Yourself Solar kits. That is a total of 84 panels, which Martin can price more competitively than a smaller order.  This group of 6 will join an online forum to communicate with each other throughout the installation process, sharing advice and helpful hints.  Six other participants who were not quite ready to order, already signed up for a potential second round of orders.

It was an exciting and successful workshop that provided not only a group rate purchase price opportunity, but also provided group support and camaraderie.

More Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on homes in our area helps promote renewable energy here, and helps homeowners with their energy costs.  Toward this end,  SEEDS hopes to continue to offer this workshop every year, or twice a year, if there is enough demand.  SEEDS will also be making training videos, and improving our workshops based on feedback from those who attended.  SEEDS would like to thank all who attended, Martin Young for the time and effort put into this series, and The Conservation District office for providing a wonderful space for this workshop.

For any questions on future solar workshops, or our upcoming free home energy assessments this summer, please contact the SEEDS office at (570) 245-1256 or email info@seedgroup.net

“We are very excited about this next phase in the life of SEEDS,” said Katharine Dodge, the current Chair. “We think that Jocelyn’s management and people skills coupled with her understanding of the need for a more sustainable approach to energy use and conservation spell a bright future for SEEDS.”

Jocelyn Cramer was born and raised inDalton,PennsylvaniainLackawannaCounty. Her father is a local piano teacher, and Jocelyn developed a lifelong love of music and the arts. She attended The State University of New York in Binghamton, where she received a Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre, and went on to conservatory training at Trinity Rep Conservatory in Providence, Rhode Island. She started her first theatre production company in Boston and directed or acted in every production while simultaneously leading all fundraising, marketing and publicity efforts for the fledgling company.

After several years she moved to New York City and soon started the award – winning Ground Floor Theatre Lab, serving as Executive Director for over seven years. The theatre company operated out of a former public school building on Manhattan’s lower east side. Jocelyn led all fundraising, marketing, press and production efforts. When the Ground Floor Theatre was placed on the public auction block, Jocelyn decided to round out her skills by pursuing a business career, accepting a management position with a human resource company in midtownManhattan, where she was promoted to the position of VP of Operations. She oversaw payroll, benefits, and immigration compliance. She was the Client Manager for new accounts, wrote and produced all marketing materials, planned all business travel and recruiting events, including a two week executive recruiting trip to South Korea in the fall of 2002, where she and several of her business colleagues launched a recruitment pipeline with South Korea’s equivalent of our US Department of Labor.

During her years inNew York, Jocelyn also volunteered with the International Refugee Committee and theInternationalCenter.

In 2005, Jocelyn was hired by one of the Board of Directors at Bear Stearns and Co., to provide administrative and project support to his department. When the firm was acquired by JP Morgan Chase in 2008, Jocelyn was offered an administrative and project support role.

Jocelyn chose to resign from JP Morgan Chase three years later, moving back to northeastern PA in the summer of 2011. She married Michael Rollison ofLakeAriel, whom she had met the year before.  She soon became involved with SEEDS as a volunteer and was inspired to apply for the Executive Director position.

2013 is the fifth year of the SEEDS organization and it promises to be a very productive one. Do-It-Yourself Solar workshops, the continuation of our Wayne Businesses Conserve program and our free home energy assessment program, The Energy Awareness Action Movement – TEAAM, will be among our priorities.

“I am proud to serve with our passionate SEEDS Board of Directors and members,” says Jocelyn. “I encourage residents and businesses alike to come visit our new office on the second floor of The Cooperage Building, at1030 Main Streetin downtown Honesdale.”

Office Hours are: Mondays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm; Wednesdays 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm and evenings and Saturdays by appointment only.

Please contact Jocelyn at jocelyn@seedsgroup.net for more information or to become a SEEDS member today!

Executive Director

SEEDS of Northeastern PA

Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support

www.seedsgroup.net

Energy Efficient Lighting for Your Business

On Tuesday January 29^th at The Cooperage at 11:00

This event was co-sponsored by SEEDS and Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) , and partially funded by PPL.

40 guests representing businesses and nonprofit organizations from all over our area attended our lighting efficiency seminar to learn about reducing their operating costs by making lighting and other energy upgrades. Guest speakers included Energy Manager John Politis from Schaedler Yesco, who talked about lighting products and assessments. Brian Stafford, who represented PPL’s E-power program talked about the incentives and rebates available for lighting upgrades, and Kurt Bauman of NEPA  shared specifics of several area businesses who have already saved a great deal of energy and money.  We were thrilled to have such a high level of interest in this topic, and see so many turn out for this seminar. SEEDS would like to thank all who took time from their busy schedules to attend. Many of  our attendees indicated that they would act on the information they gathered this day, and SEEDS will keep the community updated with any success stories that result.

SEEDS would like to thank our hosts at The Cooperage, and Ant Hill Farms for the delicious luncheon they provided.

Bold Gold media also aired an interview with Michele and new Executive Director, Jocelyn Cramer on Sunday before the seminar. Click on the link below to listen to the podcast.

http://waynepikenews.podomatic.com/entry/2013-01-25T10_40_49-08_00

Hear how families in the area benefited from SEEDS’ free energy assessment program, The Energy Action Awareness Movement (TEAAM), and how to use PPL’s online energy monitoring tools.   This past summer, TEAAM performed 80 free home energy assessments for residents throughout Wayne and Pike counties, saving them energy and money.  TEAAM will be reaching out to more residents this summer and performing another round of free assessments.

One homeowner commented, “I hired a man for a day, and had him do everything on the list your team suggested fixing.”  She added, “My home was a lot more comfortable this winter, no drafts.”  Another said, “We did a lot of  caulking and covered up holes under the older part of our house.  Overall, we used 2 fewer tanks of oil this winter.”

“During this forum we’ll be demonstrating PPL’s online Energy Analyzer and showing you how you can learn lots about your own energy use. We’ll also explore how your energy use compares to other homes in the community,” said Kayleigh Cornell, Energy Corps member for SEEDS this year.   Computers will be available to get hands on practice, but bring your own if possible.  Also bring your latest PPL bill to get started.

To learn more about TEAAM, how to decrease your energy consumption, and learn from fellow residents, join SEEDS at this free forum.   Refreshments will be available. The Chamber of Commerce building is at 32 Commerce Street in Honesdale.   More info at SEEDSgroup.gmail.com or 570-224-0052.

Kayleigh Cornell, of Jessup, PA was sworn into service on Thursday, Ocotober 20, 2011 in Wilkes Barre, PA along with eight other PA Energy Corps AmeriCorps members. Kayleigh graduated from the University of Pittsburg with a degree in Environmental Studies, and will be working with SEEDS until the fall of 2012.

Kayleigh is currently running Wayne Businesses Conserve, the SEEDS Green Business recognition program. WBC helps businesses in Wayne and Pike counties save energy and money, while giving them the recognition they deserve. Kayleigh will be working closely with over 40 businesses, helping them as they fill out the WBC application and identify target energy savings actions.

In addition, Kayleigh will be working on The Energy Awareness Action Movement (TEAAM) and will be helping organize forums and other public education opportunities.

Welcome Kayleigh!

Energy Saving Seminars
For Local Businesses
Local businesses are going green.  WBC knows you want your business to join the movement, serving the community, the environment, and your bottom line.  But it’s tough to make changes in these economic times.  So Wayne Businesses Conserves is holding two seminars on Tuesday, June 19 to help prevent your business wasting money on energy costs.

Choose breakfast at The Cooperage, 1030 Main Street, Honesdale from 7:30 to 9, or lunch at the Silk Mill, 8 Silk Mill Drive, off Rte 6 in Hawley, from 11:30 to 1 to learn how to save energy and money at your small business.  The cost for each session is $10.

Each session will feature three experts to help you get the most for your energy dollar.  A PPL Electric Utilities representative from Allentown will discuss E Power energy efficient strategies including their Direct Discount plan which pays up to 75% of energy improvement costs, whether as part of a current plan or even if done 3 years ago.  Diane Shellenhamer, from Schaedler Yesco in Harrisburg, will focus on lighting solutions, retrofits, and how companies have cut high upfront costs down to one year.  Kurt Bauman, from Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance in Pittston, will help local businesses put it all together.

The speakers will show how rebates can get the payback period down to little over a year—and from then on it’s constant saving for your bottom line, the environment, and the community you serve.  Plus, your maintenance crew—even if it’s just you, the owner—will be forever
grateful.  Success stories in northeastern Pennsylvania, on lighting retrofits and other key money saving actions will also be shared.

“Why waste money on energy costs?” asks Michele Sands, Chair of SEEDS.  “Rebates are available now…..Many local businesses are already making important improvements and we’ve brought together experts from Allentown, Harrisburg and Pittston who have the answers for you.”

All are welcome.  The Cooperage and the Silk Mill location are both over a century old, newly renovated with energy conservation in the forefront.  The forum is a part of Wayne Businesses Conserve, a SEEDS program that encourages businesses of Wayne & Pike Counties to reduction energy and material use and provides recognition for their efforts. PPL-Electric Utilities and NEPA are supporting this event.  For reservations and more information, call Project Manager, Kayleigh Cornell at 570-630-0592 or email wbc@seedsgroup.net

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Wayne Businesses Conserve, WBC for short, is Wayne County’s first green business recognition program. Officially launched during the summer of 2010, SEEDS is excited to announce a re-launch of WBC during the winter/spring of 2012, with an exciting new twist and…and exciting new logo!

In 2010, WBC recognized 9 local businesses for take actions like replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs, recycling and installing solar panels to offset–or in some cases–supply all of their electricity needs. The 2010 WBC application had 37 conservation options in six different categories: Energy Conservation, Renewable Power, Transportation, Water Conservation, Purchasing & Waste Prevention, Recycling & Composting. Businesses qualified for recognition if they met the 13 required actions & at least 5 of 24 options actions. Businesses either met or failed to meet the programs requirements.

Although no business failed, there was some question within SEEDS & the business participants about the pass/fail system. If a business is recognized, they were sort of done with the program. They had no incentive (from us) to continue saving, or to reapply.

SEEDS is beginning work on a 10 year plan, that is, what we’d like to see happen here Northeastern PA by 2022.  Here is the draft from our preamble:In the coming decade, SEEDS of NEPA commits to achieving measurable progress towards carbon neutrality in our community, which we believe will contribute to our economic, environmental, social, and spiritual sustainability.  To this end, we target the following areas and guidelines for our work:     

• Carbon Neutrality
• Green Building and Renovation
• Business Energy Conservation (Wayne Businesses Conserve)
• Residential Energy & Conservation (including TEAAM and 350 Saved)
• Transportation
• Community Renewable Energy Project
• Regional Waste Processing Plant
• Sustainable Energy Clearinghouse
• Energy & Sustainability Fest

We sometimes get requests for help with a do-it-yourself green project that is a little over someone’s head:  maybe a solar space heating project seen in Mother Earth News, or a gray water system that is beyond a rain barrel in the basement.  Several years ago, before we had local contractors in the know, Home Power magazine wrote about a renewable energy cooperative team that went around installing PV panels and solar thermal systems, barn raising style.  So, how about a sort of volunteer Green-it-Ourselves Squad to help with putting together small sustainable projects?  We’d need real DIYers who know what they’re doing, but also people to provide the soup and cookies and put together the supply and scheduling logistics needed to make this work.  If you might be interested, please reply.

Any aspiring farmers out there?  We know there will be plenty of perspiring ones in a few months, but if you’ve got the itch or curiosity about launching a small farm, the Wayne County Penn State Extension has put together a four week, 12 hour coursethat will include dreams and goals, research and risk, steps to take and putting it all together.  And you’ll get to network with experienced farmers and newbies.  The classes meet on Thursday evenings in March, 6:15 to 9:15 and cost $120, including books and materials.  For more info and to register, call 253-5970 ext 4110 or email WayneExt@psu.edu  Don’t put it off since class seats are limited and you want to be ready to “plant” this spring.

A Circular Economy
Now is a good time to talk about cradle to cradle or total cost effectiveness, whether for food, goods, services or housing.  An interesting study out of the National Home Performance Counsel deals with a lot of acronyms including:  TRC (Total Resource Cost), EUL (Effective Useful Life), and NEB (Non-Energy Benefits.)  ROI (Return on Investment) is the one we’ve been interested in the past, but this points out that “cost effectiveness tests frequently undermine important public policy goals, such as carbon reduction, clean air, job creation, national security,” and health and comfort levels.  The study is aimed at government and corporate planners and funders, but it also provokes us to look at our individual and community purchases and expenditures of energy–calorie out, calorie in—right now and projecting into the future.  Another approach, “Towards the Circular Economy”, with emphasis on industrial production, was sent to us by Jet Mermell.  For a discussion of the life cycles of fabric—cotton, fleece, bamboo, whatever—check out Marcia Nehemiah who has begun a series of columns in the River Reporter.

Courses for your Pleasure and Profit
Bioenergy is alive and ……well now is the time to get on the train before it passes you by.  Penn State is offering another Bioenergy Shortcourse at the end of the month and the USDA is announcing another round of Rural Energy for America Program grants and guaranteed loans for renewable energy and efficiency projects.  For more info see the attachment.

Johnson College is offering an introductory course to Solar Photo Voltaic and Green Building for Building Professionals in March.  Contact Marie Allison at 570-702-8924

Whether you are interested in learning more about mushrooms as art, mushrooms as food, mushrooms for “recycling”, or mushrooms as medicine, the Delaware Highlands Mushroom Society meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 pm in at the Honesdale Wellness Center, 602 Church St. The meetings are led by Nathaniel Whitmore and are donation-based.

Transition Honesdale has 3 informative, fun Skill Share’s coming up:
What to Do When the Flu Gets You, led by Jamie Stunkard of Nature’s Grace Health Food Store on Wednesday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Honesdale Wellness Center, 602 Church Street, Honesdale, PA.
Bread Baking Seminar also led by Jamie, Tuesday, February 21 and February 28, 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Nature’s Grace, 647 Main Street, Honesdale, PA
Home Brewing Basics Workshop on Saturday, February 25, 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Salem Mountain Farm, 2518 Easton Turnpike, Waymart, PA 18472 Suggested Donation: $15
Registration Required. Donations welcomed.  Learn more at www.transitionhonesdale.org or by calling 570.253.3469 or emailing skillshare@transitionhonesdale.org to secure your spot.

SEEDS forums are starting again in March.  Upcoming topics are More Do-it-Yourself  Home Energy Conservation; Solar PV #3;  Round Building: Living Outside the Box.   Generally held the third Tuesday of each month at the Wayne County Conservation District, 648 Park Street, Honesdale at 7 pm.

Warm regards,
Michele

Michele Sands
Chair, SEEDS
1023 Main Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

570-630-0592
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Looking back over last year some obvious and not so obvious observations come to mind.  First, conserving energy saves money. Might seem like a “Duh” thought to you, but for those who might not be as convinced, take a look at  the Optimal Energy report on the effect of PA’s Act 129.  As you might recall, Act 129 was passed in PA in 2008 requiring utilities to develop cost-effective plans to reduce electricity consumption by 1 percent by 2011, and by 3 percent by 2013. Additionally, the Act requires a 4.5 percent reduction in peak demand by 2013. Optimal Energy found a yearly savings of $278 million for PA electric ratepayers, or an expected savings of $2.3 billion over the life of the efficiency measures employed—the overall cost of which was $281 million, an investment which which will soon be paid off through savings.

To back that info up, a nationwide study by the Edison Foundation  found that in 2010 “Overall, electric efficiency programs saved over 112 TWh (yes, that means “terawatt hour” tera meaning 1 trillion, our note)  in 2010, enough to power over 9.7 million U.S. homes for one year, and avoided the generation of 78 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.” Pretty convincing eh?

Unfortunately, not so much.  And that’s the second observation.  While a lot of people see the statistics and care about the environment and their wallets, they’re not doing anything to conserve.  This year SEEDS is really trying to figure out how to engage these folks.  We are fairly certain it’s not that they don’t care about the environment. Perhaps, like many of us, they just don’t relate to facts, especially facts leading to feelings of a gloom-and-doom, insurmountable situation. Most of the research on conservation and change indicates this; and to find out more so that we can be more effective in bringing sustainability to our community, SEEDS sent Doni Hoffman, and Energy Corp Member, Kayleigh Cornell, to the national Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference in Washington DC in November.   They were 2 of 650 scientists, university researchers, energy professionals, planners and students at this Stanford University sponsored conference—and BTW your contributions to SEEDS paid their way, so keep those checks coming in (see address below).  For some more ideas on changing behavior, go to http://www.climateaccess.org/resource/what-it-means-be-green.

So, now we ask you, how do we reach the majority of energy users—your neighbors, family and friends?  These are people who deep down care about the planet and our future, and who value the adage “Save and Have” but who at the same time are  caught up in growth, plenty, and over consumption.  Your thoughts?  Until we figure that out…..read on.

The Lackawanna College, Ecological Sustainability Degree program is entering it’s 2nd semester.  The two year degree program at the Hawley Silk Mill campus of LCCC, prepares graduates to gain entry level positions, go on to a four year college degree program, and excel in a focused career of choice, including environmental education, business, renewable energy, agriculture, culinary, design.  For young people looking to make change in the world and older people looking for a change in career, contact Jaime Reeger at 570-226-4625 or ReegerJ@Lackawanna.edu to enroll.

Are you one of the 99% and want to take your money out of the big banks and put it in a credit union where money works for depositers, not corporation profit? John Jose of Beach Lake suggests the Pennsylvania State Employee Credit Union, open to any PA permanent resident. It’s an online service with a debit card for purchases and withdrawals from local ATM’s (no fee within a certain limit), free basic checking, plus credit card availability.  And, their current auto loans are 1.49%.   If you are not a PA employee, you will need to join the PA Recreation and Parks Society ($10 net)—not a bad idea in itself.  Also, check out John’s site http://www.ottercreekenved.com/schoolyard-habitat-development.html

Transition Honesdale DIY Cleaning Products Skill Share Saturday, January 28, 2012, 3 pm – 5 pm Grace Episcopal Church, 827 Church Street, Honesdale, PA Come make healthy and environmentally friendly cleaning products that really work. Suggested donation $12. Everyone who comes will leave with a sampling of products. Please RSVP to skillshare@transitionhonesdale.org

Also, the latest Transition Honesdale newsletter is just out with juicy articles on money, running for local office and grease cars, among others—and I ask you to come up with a slogan!   Pick up a colorful copy around town, or go to www.transitionhonesdale.org. You’ll also find the full Spring 2012 skill share schedule there to help you plan ahead.

PPL Wallenpaupack’s Saturday Winter Programs have begun:  January 28, Close Encounters with Birds of Prey;  February 4, Annual Winter Eagle-Viewing Trip;  February 11, Family Ice Fishing Program.  All programs are free but registration is generally required.  To register or get more info, contact Jenna at (570) 253-7001 pplpreserves@pplweb.com. or click on Calendar at http://pplpreserves.wordpress.com/

For your winter reading pleasure, before you get hooked on seed catalogs,  SEEDS member, Jack Barnett, suggests this book: Low Carbon Diet – A 30 day program to Lose 5000 Pounds by David Gershon.

For more SEEDS of thought, visit our facebook page.   You’ll find recent posts including energy education & video games, CFL recycling, packaging from mushrooms, sustainable pet keeping, and where to get your beer! Make sure to “like” us when you visit.  And if you really like us, send a few bucks to the address below, made out to SEEDS of NEPA and/or tell us your interests and we’ll try to hook you up with a SEEDS circle to suit.

Happy Martin Luther King Day,

Michele

Michele Sands
Chair, SEEDS
1023 Main Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

570-630-0592
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