MOUNT CARMEL - PPL's e-Power program is heading into what might be its final year, but businesses are encouraged to sign up to earn incentives and to install equipment that will provide energy savings indefinitely.
The savings can be considerable, with a business that uses up to 50,000 kilowatt hours (kwh) per year, for example, having the potential to save 10 cents per kwh, or $5,000 in a year, said Bob Thomas, senior outreach professional for lighting in PPL's e-Power Solutions program.
Thomas was the guest speaker at the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce May luncheon, held Tuesday at Mattucci's Willow Cafe. The event was sponsored by Mid Penn Engineering Corp., Lewisburg.
Thomas, who has bachelor and master's degrees in education, has been tasked with trying to better educate business owners who have found the e-Power program too complicated and cumbersome, an observation chamber director Sandy Winhofer said she has heard from local businesses.
Thomas noted some changes designed to help the process, including more involvement from PPL as a liaison between contractors and the businesses, nonprofits and government agencies that may benefit.
The e-Power program offers rebates that help customers invest in improvements that reduce electricity usage. The rebates, combined with a lower electricity bill, often allow for a return on investment in less than a year, Thomas said. Not only can customers reduce costs, they can save energy, reduce pollution and protect resources, he added.
The most basic e-Power incentive is "prescriptive," a one-shot program in which, for example, light fixtures might be changed throughout a warehouse. In addition to the kwh savings as described earlier, PPL will pay rebates of up to $30 per fixture replaced, Thomas said.
There are also custom incentives, more complex changes such as replacing walk-in coolers and case coolers at a mini-mart.
And there are direct discount services, which involve certified contractors helping implement energy-saving changes for smaller PPL customers. Thomas said direct discount services are creating average savings up to 17 cents/kwh.
The e-Power program was made possible through Act 129 of 2008, which imposed new requirements on electric distribution companies with the overall goal of reducing energy consumption and demand.
Thomas noted that retroactive rebates are available for work done on or after July 1, 2009. A PPL customer who can provide documentation about any changes may qualify.
Year three of e-Power ends May 31, and while a fourth year is guaranteed, the program will likely end after that, Thomas said. Despite its complications, Thomas said PPL has had a lot of satisfied customers.
"Get yourself some incentive money (upfront) and savings throughout the life of the changes," is his message to local business owners.
Call 866-432-5501 or go to epowersolutions@kema.com or www.pplelectric.com/e-power to get started.
Winhofer pushed the same message, saying this is the type of program that can help sustain local businesses.
Spotlight business
Mid-Penn was this month's sponsor and spotlight business.
President Lake S. Randall spoke briefly about the firm, which was founded in 1969 and provides engineering, surveying, architectural, environmental and other services to local businesses and municipalities.
He said Mid-Penn is a member of numerous chambers throughout central Pennsylvania. "We're a big proponent of chambers and what they do," he said.
With Randall was Eric Hussar, president of Mid-Penn Energy, an affiliated operation started three years ago that sells and installs equipment and products related to motor fuels, heating oil, air conditioning and heat pumps.
Notes
Winhofer said the chamber's recent golf tournament was the best in its six-year existence. The organization also recently helped sponsor a career symposium, and its quarterly newsletter was published in Tuesday's News-Item.