PA Students Tackle State's Energy Problem

Students across Pennsylvania are organizing under PowerMinders to reduce energy use in residential and small commercial establishments.

Hopefully a lot of folks realize that being energy efficient pays for itself immediately.

University Park, PA (PRWEB) May 9, 2009 -- Is it hard to believe Pennsylvania is responsible for one percent of the world's total global warming pollution? According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources it's fact. It ranks Pennsylvania third among all 50 states for the most global warming emissions. This trend will change if PA College Students and PowerMinders have anything to do with it. The timing appears to be now. And industry leaders in PA will join PowerMinders at Penn State's Great Valley Campus May 12th to discuss the possibilities.

"With over 580,000 undergrads in Pennsylvania, imagine what we can do when we mobilize their energy," says Bob Fiori, advisor to PowerMinders. PowerMniders has over 300 students already working and helping Pennsylvania residents reduce their energy use, thus reducing green house gases. "Between changing incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents, suggesting weatherization projects and educating residents on energy efficient measures, students are making a difference here," says Fiori

Events in Pennsylvania have helped encourage the students of PowerMinders. Among them is Pennsylvania House Bill 2200, signed into law in 2008 as Act 129 by Gov. Ed Rendell. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees the implementation of Act 129. "The recent passage of Act 129 requires electric distribution companies to develop and receive approval from the PA Public Utilities Commission for cost-effective efficiency and conservation programs," Heather Cowley said, a regional energy and technology manager at the DEP. Cowley said distribution companies have deadlines for energy reduction over the next several years.

Penn Future and other energy efficiency organizations are working with the the network of college students organized under the PowerMinders as a way to reach households according to Bob Fiori, cofounder of the PowerMinders. He said the PowerMinders program is a success by because students are able to reach out in their own communities. "Each student's base of relatives and neighbors is a very quick way to get education and energy efficiency work done in millions of homes." Penn Future is one of several organizations behind the passage of Act 129 according to Christine Knapp, Penn Future Director of Outreach. On PowerMinders, "We are always working in partnership because it's the best way to strengthen your position," she said.

The college students, known as ambassadors, identify where energy can be saved in homes.

Knapp said she attributes success of the PowerMinders organization to its connection with people. "Even when you have great relationships with people, its not necessarily personal," she said. Fiori said Act 129 should be an impetus that allows the PowerMinders student network to continue good things for the state's energy consumption and environment concerns.

Pennsylvania has 587,140 full-time college students who can help make Pennsylvania greener according to Fiori. "Energy savings would be huge if each student replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient compact fluorescent. But of course stidents can do more than that. The potential with students is enormous, and our ability to grow the student network is limitless," he said.

"In Pennsylvania we (residents) are using one and a half percent more power every year than we did the year before," Cowley said. "Hopefully a lot of folks realize that being energy efficient pays for itself immediately." Cowley said investing in energy efficiency has continuous long-term payback. "For some folks it can be as much as 25 percent savings."

Homeowners can reduce increased energy bills with resources like the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program. Keystone HELP enables Pennsylvania residents to access rebates and low interest loans for efficiency work done on their homes. Peter Krajsa, chairman and CEO of AFC First, the financial institution that administers Keystone HELP, said PowerMinders is a natural fit for the program.

"Its great the kids are going in and educating their friends and family about energy efficiency," Krajsa said. "Beyond that, they (students) have to let homeowners know about new federal tax credits and what might be available at a state level that could help them save money, especially with the electric prices and the caps coming off next year." Krajsa and Fiori said they are working to collaborate their programs for the benefit of homeowners. "I think its great to get college students interested in energy efficiency," Krajsa said.

Hilary Kane from the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) is discussing teamwork with PowerMinders. PHENND administers a statewide AmeriCorps program called Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania. College students throghout the state apply to PHENND for an AmeriCorps service grant. "If we can spark interest in college students being involved in their community and civically engaged, then it's a huge," Kane said. "My hope is by working with PowerMinders something new and exciting can be created." According to Kane, its possible PowerMinders could become their own AmeriCorps program.

AmeriCorps is expanding to create a clean energy division according to the Obama's President-elect website. "All of this comes at perfect timing," Fiori said. Knapp and Fiori both said PowerMinders could potentially become a national model for the clean energy corps outlined in Obama's AmeriCorps expansion plan.

Fiori said the PowerMinders program is all about the students. "We aren't just getting the energy efficiency message across to homeowners," Fiori said. "We are preparing the next generation of industry leaders." PowerMinders recently placed several students with internships and jobs.

"With energy efficiency issues, there is going to be so many jobs that people just aren't aware of," Juli Carey said, a Penn State student. "PowerMinders is a great way for me to get my foot in the door and have opportunities available to me when I graduate." Carey's involvement with PowerMinders landed her an internship with Pennsylvania State University's Center for Sustainability.

"What's one of your fastest growing industries?" Krajsa said. "Energy efficiency and renewable energy. And if you have exposure, I think that gives you a leg up in the job industry."

"The challenges we face to build a more sustainable energy future and industry workforce are unprecedented," said Kathleen Whitley-Harm, vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter for the Association of Energy Service Professionals. AESP is working to promote careers and a workforce prepared for energy efficiency and energy management sectors according to Whitley-Harm.

"PowerMinders is a highly effective hands-on opportunity for students and faculty to be part of the solution to our energy challenges," she said. Whitley-Harm said the AESP chapter will also partner with the PowerMinders organization and is excited about the opportunity to support the next generation of energy leaders, advocates and policy makers.