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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE___________________________
 PECO is offering a program known as Smart A/C Saver that can save home owners with central air conditioning up to $120 per year.
The installation of what is know as a Digital Cycling Unit (DCU) to the central air conditioning unit on the outside or your home is required. A DCU saves energy during peak demand periods by putting the AC compressor into what is known as a “conservation mode” via a wireless signal. This means that the AC compressor will operate approximately 1/2 the time it had during the previous hour of operation. In “conversation mode” the fan will run uninterrupted and circulate cool air through the home to maintain comfort.
PECO estimates that critical electrical demand occurs 13 to 20 days during the summer. By 2013 utilities will be required to reduce electrical demand by 4.5% on these days of peak demand. With electrical demand rising 16% in the summer of 2010 vs the previous year, and home air conditioning accounting for 17% of domestic electrical consumption, the Smart A/C Saver program will help reduce electrical demand and achieve this mandated energy consumption goal.
The installation of the DCU is free of charge, and there is no need to be at home for the install. By signing up PECO will credit your bill up to $120 ($30 an month from June through September). Visit www.peco.com/Smartideasto sign up, use energy more wisely and participate in the reduction of overall regional energy usage.
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Media Borough to receive the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence
Media Borough Council has been awarded the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for the year 2006. A ceremony recognizing this achievement will be held May 3, 2007 from 3pm to 4pm at the Media Theatre at Monroe and State Streets. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty will be on hand to present the award.
The Borough of Media is being honored for their Solar Energy for Media Initiative that has installed 5 kilowatts on each of four buildings in the borough: Media Elementary School, Media Upper Providence Library, Media Theatre and the Media Fire House. The initiative was conceived by Councilman Pete Alyanakian who has lead Media's Environmental Advisory Committee since its inception in 2004. This is the fourth award the initiative has won including two Penn Future Awards as Cleanest Borough in PA, and the Southeastern PA Associations of Environmental Advisory Committees Environmental Recognition Award. These installations will bring the total amount of kilowatts produced in the borough to 25kW. The project is the beginning of a clean energy micro grid in Media that will provide electricity for vital civic function during a state of emergency. There is a 5kW system on the Media Armory that was the first building in Media to receive solar panels as well as the first Energy Harvest Grant for solar panel installation.
The five solar PV systems will produce approximately 25,000 kilowatt-hours each year. Solar generated energy is one of the cleanest energies. It uses the light of the sun to make electricity. The advantages are a reduction in green house gases that will reduce global warming. The next advantage to solar power is a reduction in the importation of foreign oil. This project has a strong educational component, as there will be educational displays at each site. This installation added to the Borough's inventory of PV making the Borough of Media the leading municipality in producing clean energy in Pennsylvania.
Media will develop solar RECs (renewable electricity credits) that will add to the portfolio of renewable energy produced in Pennsylvania. While the total amount of solar is small compared to use, the small amounts of solar electricity will offset demands on the grid. This process will gradually add up over time, and all utility ratepayers will benefit. This is because solar produces the most electricity on summer days, especially summer afternoons, when air conditioners are in full use and people arrive home, turning on TVs and computers. Solar energy creates load reduction for the major energy grid and reduces market price for the borough and other stakeholders. By taking the edge off demand from the grid, utilities will not need to fire up backup generation plants as often. The effect will be less costly summer electricity for all. By investing in small customer sited photovoltaic generation, the Commonwealth has helped reduce needed investment in new natural gas and nuclear power plants. The question is where do we want to be in the next 20 to 30 years, as oil production declines? Media Borough is showcasing solar energy and legitimize the use of this vital and proven technology. By reducing our peak energy demand, the Borough will lessen its energy bill throughout the year.
The Borough of Media is planning continued development of a new electric grid based on distributed solar generation, and through these projects, demonstrate the viability of solar power in urban settings
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There are 300-plus designated Fair Trade towns in Europe that all work to not only support fair wages but also to reduce their ecological impact. This is what inspired the town of Media, Pennsylvania to anoint itself as the first “Fair Trade town” in the United States. Located just outside of Philadelphia with a population of about 6,000, this means that the community has thoughtful and inspired consumers and retailers who want to use their buying power to improve the lives of others. To become a Fair Trade town, Media used five criteria, established by the British & European Fair Trade movements: 1) The Media Borough Council passed a resolution supporting Fair Trade, and committing to serve Fair Trade coffee and tea at its functions. 2) A range of Fair Trade products are readily available in Media’s shops and restaurants. 3) Fair Trade products are used by a number of local work places (such as law offices) and community organizations (such as churches). 4) Media coverage is provided and there is popular support for the campaign. 5) A local Fair Trade steering group from a diverse representation of institutions is working to ensure continued commitment to Fair Trade Town status.
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4/1/09- Emergency Messages Provide Warnings For Residents of Delaware County
Residents of Delaware County are invited to enroll in "Delco Alert," a regional community alert system which transmits emergency text messages of public warnings.
County Council Vice-Chairman John J. Whelan said the alerts provide emergency information via text messages and e-mail devices of threats to security, severe weather, road closures by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on major highways and other dangers and emergencies.
"Delco Alert" is the identity in Delaware County of ReadyNotifyPA, which is administered by the Roan Secure Alert Network (RSAN) in the five-county southeastern Pennsylvania region which also includes Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
Residents can sign up to receive the alerts at www.co.delaware.pa.us, the Delaware County Government Web site, and using the "Delco Alert" link.
Entire families can be enrolled in the system under a single user name. Points of interest such as residences, schools and workplaces can be marked on a map so warnings concerning those locations can be sent to the user. Residents can receive warnings which are local or regional.
Residents who work or go to school in Philadelphia or another county can sign up to receive warnings from those jurisdictions as well as from Delaware County, Whelan said. He said any information provided will remain confidential within the system and will not be used for anything other than sending emergency messages.
Whelan encouraged residents to enroll to receive text or e-mail messages from as many counties as necessary to fully benefit from the system.
"We live in a region with nearly 3.5 million people who cross county lines regularly to travel to and from their homes, jobs, schools and to pursue other interests," he said.
"Whether we are dealing with floods, severe storms or threats to homeland security or other threats or dangers, we recognize that emergencies don't stop at our borders."
There is no cost to enroll in "Delco Alert." However, recipients of the messages may be charged a fee by their service providers if there is a charge to them for such messages.
If having difficulty understanding the instructions to enroll in the system, contact the Delaware County Emergency Services Department from 9 AM-4 PM Monday-Friday at 610-565-8700 or send an e-mail to rsanhelp@icdc.com for assistance.
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4/1/09- The Media-Upper Providence Free Library is offering a programs titled "Fit For Life--Fit Over Fifty" on Wednesday, April 15th at 7:00 pm in the library. The program combines the best of low impact aerobics, dance, strengthening and stretching, balanced with Ballet, Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi based movement as well! A great chance to learn about fitness, healthy eating and all of the wellness programs that may be offered near you!
Please register online (www.delcolibraries.org), by phone (610-566-1918) or in person at the library. Fit for Life is a program of the MetLife Foundation and Libraries for the Future. The Media-Upper Providence Free Library is located at 1 East Front Street in Media.
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 Morton Borough will consider a proposed ordinance that would require every owner of property within the Borough of Morton to install and maintain at least one carbon monoxide detector on every floor used for human habitation by no later than July 1, 2009. The ordinance is scheduled for adoption on April 8, 2009. Click here to read the proposed ordinance. Please contact Suburban REALTORS Alliance staff at esmist@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com with any questions or comments.
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