Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs

Disclaimer: The contents of this report are based on the data contained in DEP information systems during the reporting period.

• 1.1 million small businesses are located in Pennsylvania.
• 99.6 percent of businesses in Pennsylvania are small businesses.
• 2.6+ million people are employees of Pennsylvania small businesses.
• 46.2 percent of Pennsylvania employees work at small businesses.

• Women made up 48.2 percent of workers and owned 39.5 percent of businesses.
• Racial minorities made up 16.6 percent of workers and owned 12.5 percent of businesses.
• Hispanics made up 6.9 percent of workers and owned 4.5 percent of businesses.
• Veterans made up 4.9 percent of workers and owned 6.1 percent of businesses.

Number of Small Businesses in Pennsylvania by Owner Demographic

• Female: 369,121
• Black or African American: 75,035
• Veteran: 56,061
• Hispanic: 46,148
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 561
• American Alaska Native: *
• Asian: *

From U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy –  2022 Small Business Profile, Pennsylvania . The SBA defines small businesses as having 500 or fewer employees.

*Data not reported by the Census Bureau.

Since 1996, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) has helped thousands of Pennsylvania small businesses understand and manage their obligations to comply with and report on environmental regulation. SBEAP also provides resources that may help small businesses reduce or eliminate their environmental impact.

Creation of the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program was mandated by the 1960 Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act and Section 507 of the 1990 Federal Clean Air Act Amendments.

• Assistance in understanding and meeting technical requirements related to permit conditions and other regulatory compliance.
• Information on regulations and policies that may affect small businesses, including public participation information, so that small business can engage in the regulatory development process and ensure their concerns are considered.
• Information on grant and loan funding for pollution prevention practices and energy efficiency.
• Advocacy for small businesses in interactions with the Department.

• Environmental Management Assistance Program
• Small Business Ombudsman Office
• Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee

The  Environmental Management Assistance Program  (EMAP) provides free, confidential assistance to business owners to help them determine their environmental regulatory requirements and the best environmental management strategies to meet those obligations.   

EMAP is headquartered in the  Widener University Small Business Development Center  in Chester, Delaware County. However, small businesses statewide can reach out to EMAP and access their services through  14 additional Small Business Development Centers  located at universities and colleges across Pennsylvania.

EMAP employs four technical assistance staff who provide support to small businesses statewide. Staff can assist small business owners with:

• Emissions calculations
• Permit applications
• Regulatory paperwork
• Plan approvals
• Grant applications
• Operating permits

EMAP can also refer small businesses to general business and financial assistance professionals, free instructional seminars and educational events for individuals looking to start a venture, as well as for established companies, and other wide-ranging support.

Contact EMAP

Call toll-free: 877-ASK-EMAP (877-275-3627)

Email:  questions@askemap.org 

Contact Jeremy Hancher, Program Manager

(610) 499-4322

 jwhancher@widener.edu 

Visit:  www.askemap.org 

• 108 businesses provided with in-depth assistance
• 57 calls answered from EMAP hotline
• 55 non-hotline contacts made or received (emails or direct calls)
• 37 new clients assisted
• 33 requests received for permit assistance
• 24 completed site visits

Small Businesses Receiving EMAP Assistance – By Industry

• Accommodation / Food Service: 5 (5 percent)
• Agriculture: 3 (3 percent)
• Construction: 7 (6 percent)
• Education Services: 1 (1 percent)
• Mining: 1 (1 percent)
• Manufacturer: 56 (52 percent)
• Professional / Technical: 7 (6 percent)
• Retail: 3 (3 percent)
• Service Establishment: 9 (8 percent)
• Waste Management: 1 (1 percent)
• Wholesale: 2 (2 percent)
• Other: 12 (11 percent)
• Undefined: 1 (1 percent)

Of the 108 businesses receiving assistance, more than half (52 percent) were in the manufacturing sector and a significant majority (90 percent) have been in business over 1 year.

Small Businesses Receiving EMAP Assistance – By Time in Business 

• Established: (in business more than 1 year): 97 (90 percent)
• Pre-venture / Nascent: 9 (8 percent)
• Start up: (in business less than 1 year): 2 (2 percent)

Distribution of Businesses Receiving EMAP Assistance:

EMAP provided services to 109 clients, including two out-of-state clients. Below is the distribution of the clients served by DEP region.

EMAP, Statewide: Winner of National SBEAP 2022 Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Excellence Award

The National Steering Committee of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs & Small Business Ombudsmen have selected the Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) of Widener University with the 2022 Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Excellence Award. This award category recognizes exemplary performance of a state SBEAP in the areas of compliance assistance, sustainability, advocacy, and collaboration at the national level. The SBEAP Excellence Award emphasizes program leadership where they have created resources and work products, promoted policy advancements, developed program innovations, and established new partnerships to build a strong network of small business assistance. 

Since 1997, EMAP has provided free and confidential environmental technical assistance to the small business community in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. EMAP services are available throughout the entire network of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers to any Pennsylvania small business seeking assistance with issues of air quality and environmental compliance. 

The EMAP team, which includes Lee Ann Briggs, Jeremy Hancher, Charles Haney, and Carrie Wintersteen, was chosen by the SBEAP/SBO for their involvement and leadership with the National Steering Committee, the Technical and Annual Training Subcommittees, and the Environmental Justice Workgroup. In addition, EMAP was recognized for performing small business analyses on several Pennsylvania air quality rulemakings, for collaborating with the SBDCs and the Pennsylvania DEP Small Business Ombudsman to conduct in-person workshops and virtual webinars on environmental resources, and for partnering with other Pennsylvania stakeholder organizations and trade associations.  Read more .

Abilene Boot Award, Somerset, Somerset County: Winner of National SBEAP 2022 Small Business Environmental Stewardship Award

The National Steering Committee of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs & Small Business Ombudsmen have recognized Abilene Boot Company with the 2022 Small Business Environmental Stewardship Award for its accomplishments in the areas of improving environmental performance, pollution prevention, and sustainability. 

Abilene Boot Company worked with EMAP to evaluate the company’s air quality compliance, including reviewing their natural minor operating permit, looking at coating and adhesives usage, calculating their air quality emissions, and quantifying volatile organic compound and hazardous air pollutant emission reductions for the small manufacturing operation.  Read more 

Abilene Boot has a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and to protecting their employees. - EMAP consultant Carrie Wintersteen

One of my major concerns with operating a manufacturing facility was safety, creating our safety committee almost immediately. This committee addresses all factors of safety issues along with making environmental issues one of its top priorities focusing on the reduction of volatile organic compounds in any dangerous materials that were in use to create a safer environment for its employees. - Mr. Ross Auman, co-owner and operator of Abilene Boot

Aspen Hill Pet Cemetery, Hermitage, Mercer County: Successful Plan Approval and Operating Permit Application for Expansion of Services

Founded in 2017, Aspen Hill Pet Cemetery and Crematory provides pet cremation services and a cemetery. Kacy Garlock, owner and operator of Aspen Hill Pet Cemetery and Crematory, came to the Duquesne University SBDC in 2016 seeking assistance with starting her business. In May 2020, Ms. Garlock was looking to install a small incinerator for the cremation of small animals and was referred to the SBDC’s environmental service provider, EMAP by DEP. DEP suggested she submit a Request for Determination (RFD) application for DEP to assess if the incinerator was exempt or if an operating permit would be required. EMAP assisted Kacy with the preparation, completion, and submission of the RFD, which included preparing emission calculations. 

DEP ultimately determined that a Plan Approval Application and a minor source State Only Operating Permit would be required to operate the incinerator. EMAP further assisted Ms. Garlock with preparing and completing the Plan Approval and Operating permit applications along with several other required documents included with the application package. 

The Plan Approval application was submitted to DEP in August 2020 and approved in January 2021. Ms. Garlock received her final Operating Permit on February 23, 2022. The permit is good for five years.

EMAP and Lee Ann were invaluable when it came time for me to navigate the minefield of paperwork, regulations, documentations, and leg work of acquiring a State Only Operating Permit. As a small business all the work falls on the owner and I am not sure I would have been able to obtain this permit without the hours of work that Lee Ann helped me to complete. Unfortunately, there is no “how to” manual for owning and running a business but with amazing resources like EMAP and the SBDC there is a light at the end of the tunnel. – Kacy Garlock

The  Small Business Ombudsman Office  represents DEP to the small business community and serves as the primary advocate for small businesses within DEP. 

• Provides free, confidential assistance.
• Administers grant and loan programs that are available only to small businesses.
• Helps identify technical and financial opportunities for energy efficiency and pollution control that are available through state and federal programs.
• Reviews pending regulations to consider their impact on small businesses.
• Can assist small businesses with their interactions with DEP.

The Ombudsman assists Pennsylvania’s small businesses both directly and through legislators, associations, small business assistance providers, and federal and state agencies.

Contact the Small Business Ombudsman Office

Samantha Harmon, Small Business Ombudsman: (717) 783-0909,  saharmon@pa.gov 

Caroline Zepp, Program Analyst: (717) 772-5160,  czepp@pa.gov 

Forest Edwards, Mechanical Engineer: (717) 783-9640,  foedwards@pa.gov 

The  Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program  provides low-interest, fixed-rate loans to small businesses to purchase equipment or implement process changes that reduce or reuse raw materials on site; reduce the production of waste at the source; or significantly reduce energy consumption.

• Eligibility: Small businesses in Pennsylvania with 100 or fewer full-time employees
• Maximum funding percentage: up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs
• Maximum loan amount: $100,000
• Terms: 2 percent fixed interest rate for a maximum term of 10 years
• Available funding as of May 31, 2022: $1,458,284 (June 2022 report unavailable)

The Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account is a revolving loan fund and receives no additional state funding. DEP and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) jointly administer the program. DEP reviews the technical applications, while DCED reviews the financial application, performs the credit check, and handles loan closing and maintenance. Applicants must work with an approved  Community Economic Development Organization (CEDO)  to submit an application for this program.

Now in its 18th year, the  Small Business Advantage Grant (SBAG)  program has awarded millions of dollars in grants to Pennsylvania small businesses to enable them to implement energy efficiency strategies, pollution prevention projects, and natural resource conservation projects.

These projects help businesses reduce costs and may reduce their regulatory requirements, while decreasing the environmental impact of their business operations. 

• Eligibility: Projects are required to save at least 25 percent annually in energy consumption or pollution prevention costs and save the business a minimum of $500. Eligible small businesses must be a for-profit business located in Pennsylvania with no more than 100 full-time equivalent employees. 
• Examples of participants: Manufacturers, retailers, service providers, medical professionals, the transportation industry, and the agricultural community.
• Grants: 50 percent reimbursement grants, up to a maximum of $5,000, depending on the project, for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

2021-2022 Small Business Advantage Grant Program Update

SBO during report period: Samantha Harmon, SBO

• Application round: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022  
• Total reimbursed: $691,603.00
• Private investment leveraged: $2,404,888.58
• Annual savings for grantees: $1,102,091.69
• Applications received: 215
• Grant recipients reimbursed: 170

• 3D Printer: 1 (1 percent)
• Air Compressors: 1 (1 percent)
• Auxiliary Power Units: 3 (2 percent)
• Barnyard Runoff Control: 1 (1 percent)
• Boiler: 7 (4 percent)
• Centrifuge: 1 (1 percent)
• Combo - Interior Lighting and HVAC: 4 (2 percent)
• Combo – Interior Lighting and Refrigeration: 1 (1 percent)
• Digital Impression Tray: 1 (1 percent)
• Digital X-rays: 14 (8 percent)
• Dry Cleaning Water Supply: 1 (1 percent)
• Exterior and Interior Lighting: 49 (29 percent)
• Exterior Lighting Only: 4 (2 percent)
• Grain Dryer: 1 (1 percent)
• Grill Replacement: 1 (1 percent)
• HVAC: 8 (5 percent)
• Interior Lighting Only: 64 (38 percent)
• Laundry Press: 1 (1 percent)
• Reverse Osmosis: 1 (1 percent)
• Solvent Recovery System: 2 (1 percent)
• Solvent Recycling and HE Paint Guns: 1 (1 percent)
• Streambank Fencing: 1 (1 percent)
• Waste Oil Furnace: 1 (1 percent)
• Water Jet Replacement: 1 (1 percent)

McCutcheon Enterprises, Inc., Apollo, Westmoreland County: Waste Management Company Upgrades Facility Lighting

McCutcheon Enterprises, Inc. offers waste management and regulatory support solutions to a broad range of public and private sector clients. The company applied for a grant to upgrade their facility lighting to LEDs. The $15,600.96 investment was matched with a $5,000 Small Business Advantage Grant.

• Return on Investment: McCutcheon Enterprises’ annual cost savings were $119,948.40 and they lowered their electricity use by 1,090,440 kWh per year. The company is also reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 47.55 tons annually. The project will pay for itself in just under two months.

Brewery Acquisition Operations, Export, Westmoreland County: Craft Brewery Purchases Centrifuge Machine to Increase Yield

Brewery Acquisition Operations produces craft beer for distribution in the Pittsburgh area. The company applied for a grant to purchase a centrifuge machine that would increase their yield by up to 10 percent. The $181,500 investment was matched with a $5,000 Small Business Advantage Grant.

• Return on Investment: Brewery Acquisition’s annual cost savings were $4,340.93 and they reduced water use by 126,000 gallons per year. The company is also reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2.13 tons annually. Savings from the reduction of water usage alone will pay for the project in about 43 years, while increased profits from higher yields will likely contribute to reducing that timeframe.

Clearfield Leather, Curwensville, Clearfield County: Leather Tanning Company Upgrades Air Compressors

Clearfield Leather dba Wickett and Craig of America is a leather tanning company. The company applied for a grant to upgrade their air compressors used in their manufacturing process to improve efficiency. The $81,978.62 investment was matched with a $5,000 Small Business Advantage Grant.

• Return on Investment: Clearfield Leather’s annual cost savings were $14,227.35 and they reduced their electricity use by 225,831 kWh per year. The company is also reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 176.49 tons annually. The project will pay for itself in just under six years.

New World Logistics, Harrisburg, Dauphin County: Trucking Company Installs Auxiliary Power Units

New World Logistics applied for a grant to install auxiliary power units on two trucks. These units will reduce operation of the main engine and the associated pollution. The $11,395.01 investment was matched with a $4,000 Small Business Advantage Grant.

• Return on Investment: New World Logistics reduced fuel use by 3,744 gallons per year, saving $13,291.20 in diesel fuel costs. The company is also reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 15.08 tons annually. The project will pay for itself in just under a year.

Alpha Veterinary Hospital Inc, Sellersville, Bucks County: Veterinary Hospital Upgrades X-Ray System to Digital

Alpha Veterinary Hospital offers testing, diagnostics, wellness and preventative care, and other services for animals. The company applied for a grant to upgrade their traditional x-ray system which uses films and processing fluids to a digital x-ray system. The $19,557.00 investment was matched with a $5,000 Small Business Advantage Grant.

• Return on Investment: Alpha Veterinary Hospital’s annual cost savings were $4,043.65. They lowered their electricity use by 2,400 kWh per year and lowered their water use by 16,000 gallons per year. They also eliminated the disposal of 12 boxes of radiological films, 175 gallons of developer/fixer, and 3 bottles of cleaner. The company is reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 15.44 tons annually. The project will pay for itself in just under five years.

2021-22 Small Business Advantage Grant: Estimated Annual Energy Savings/Pollution Reductions

✔️ Electricity: 5,374,411 kWh ✔️ Wastewater: 513,175 gallons ✔️ Natural Gas: 10,307 mcf ✔️ Diesel Fuel: 10,841 gallons ✔️ Film Developing Chemicals: 5,286 gallons ✔️ X-Ray Film kept from landfill: 121 boxes/packs ✔️ Propane: 3,947 gallons ✔️ Fuel Oil: 1,406 gallons ✔️ Sediment prevented from streams: 8,415 lbs ✔️ Nitrogen prevented from streams: 84 lbs ✔️ Phosphorous prevented from streams: 16 lbs

The  Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee  works to ensure that small business concerns and interests are represented within DEP when new regulations are developed and considers the impact of proposed environmental regulations on small business. It is also a forum to provide information to the small business community about funding opportunities and other useful information.

The committee includes small business owners, small business advocacy organizations, and representatives of government agencies. Members meet quarterly to address issues that could affect the small business community.

Regulations Reviewed for DEP in 2021-2022

• Draft Proposed Rulemaking: Amendments to the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program (Oct 2021)
• Draft Final-Form Rulemaking: Control of VOC Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Sources (Jan 2022)
• Draft Final-Form Rulemaking for Additional RACT Requirements for Major Sources of NO _X  and VOCs for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS (RACT III) (April 2022)

Presentations by DEP Staff

• Energy Programs Office Update (Oct 2021)
• Pennsylvania DEP’s Environmental Justice Policy (April 2022)

Quarterly Updates to the SBCAC

• EMAP Quarterly Report
• Small Business Ombudsman Report

Meeting Dates

• August 25, 2021 (cancelled)
• October 21, 2021
• January 27, 2022
• April 27, 2022

Committee Contacts and Information

• Lucas Hershey,  luchershey@pa.gov , 717.787.7019
• Agendas and meeting materials:  Current Session 
• Agendas and meeting materials:  Prior Sessions 

The  Emerging Technology Applications Center  (ETAC), located at the Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem, helps small businesses gain a competitive edge by using alternative technologies to improve heating, drying, coating and curing processes, as well as reducing their energy usage and carbon footprint. ETAC also assists businesses with investigating new equipment, materials, and processes before making large investments or production changes. 

With DEP grant funding, ETAC provides energy and technological consulting services to small businesses with up to 500 employees in 33 counties in the eastern half of the commonwealth. They also engage with the Northampton Community College Engineering Department to involve student interns in the energy assessments. Over the course of the 2021-2022 fiscal year, more than 39 student internship hours in on-site assessments were accrued. This STEM component adds real world applications to their learning experience.

ETAC specializes in operational efficiency and is a registered Conservation Service Provider with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. ETAC performed energy audits from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, that resulted in more than 123 energy management opportunities with significant savings for 11 facilities (3 in environmental justice zones, 1 minority-owned and 1 woman-owned):

✔️ Electric Energy Conserved (kWh/yr): 7,962,083 ✔️ Fossil Fuel Saved (MMBtu/yr): 50,407 ✔️ Potential Cost Savings ($): $1,025,922

Emissions reductions (lbs/yr):

✔️ Carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ): 12,432,493 ✔️ Sulfur oxides (SO _X ): 3,685 ✔️ Nitrogen oxides (NO _X ): 2,967

 Contact Emerging Technologies Applications Center

John Barkanic, Director

(610) 861-5381

 jbarkanic@northampton.edu 

 The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP)  has been assisting businesses in Pennsylvania for more than 50 years. The federal-state-university partnership provides no-cost technical assistance to small and mid-size businesses and manufacturers. PennTAP offered 36 educational workshops or webinars for business owners and employees throughout the year, with total attendance of 725 participants. PennTAP’s main office is in State College, with additional staff in Pittsburgh. 

PennTAP’s Energy and Environment Services are designed to help Pennsylvania companies conserve energy and reduce wastes in their manufacturing facilities, lowering energy-related costs and increasing their profits and competitiveness.

By providing services and solutions to Pennsylvania businesses and organizations, PennTAP creates opportunities for Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) students to participate in projects outside of their classroom. Students get the experience of conducting an energy assessment for manufacturing facilities and then help with the development and implementation of an energy reduction strategy. This provides students with real-world, practical application of their education, as well as the chance to make connections within the community.

2021-2022 PennTAP Results:

• Total Clients: 48
• Client Economic Benefits – Cost Savings*: $3.2 Million
• Jobs Retained or Created: 23
• Workshops and Webinars: 36
• Participants Educated: 725
• Students Engaged: 109
• SBAG Applications Assisted: 6
• Project Funding - Requested: $26K - Approved: $21K - Projects Totals: $412K

*Economic benefits reported July 2021 to June 2022

Clients Assisted by PennTAP – By Industry Cluster

• Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing: 6 percent
• Agriculture: 8 percent
• Beverage and Tobacco: 4 percent
• Building and Construction: 2 percent
• Business and Financial Services: 2 percent
• Chemical, Rubber, and Plastics: 10 percent
• Electronics: 4 percent
• Food Processing: 2 percent
• Furniture and Related Products: 2 percent
• Health Care: 2 percent
• Lumber, Wood, and Paper: 2 percent
• Metals and Metal Fabrication: 19 percent
• Mining: 10 percent
• Miscellaneous Manufacturing: 13 percent
• Other: 2 percent
• Printing and Related Products: 6 percent
• Textiles and Apparel: 4 percent

Contact PennTAP

Tanna M. Pugh, Director

(814) 863-1632

 tannapugh@psu.edu 

Cedar Grove Farm, Everett, Bedford County: Small Farm Acquires Funding, Upgrades Grain Dryer

Cedar Grove Farm, located in Everett, raises hogs and cows for profit and grows wheat, soybean, and corn for animal feed on 900 acres. Cedar Grove Farm wanted to replace the existing outdoor batch grain dryer with a more energy efficient continuous flow grain dryer. The existing burner had become unreliable in producing quality dried wheat and soybean and was damaging the corn harvest. This was limiting the farm’s crop output, leading to outsourcing and thus a loss in profits.

Working with PennTAP has been nothing short of incredible. The advisors took care of any questions, concerns or issues that arose immediately and made the entire process super easy for us. Highly recommend their work. — Corey Wilt, Owner, Cedar Grove Farm

Owner Corey Wilt was referred to PennTAP by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program to complete an energy assessment and provide a technical analysis and report for their project. PennTAP Advisor Alanna Colvin, with the assistance of a Penn State graduate student assistant, conducted an Energy Efficiency/Pollution Prevention assessment of Cedar Grove Farm in January 2022. Ms. Colvin determined that a new grain dryer would not only save the farm on energy and money but would also reduce the time spent drying and improve the quality of the crop output. She assisted Mr. Wilt with the applications for both the USDA REAP grant and the PA DEP Small Business Advantage Grant to help cover the cost of upgrading the farm’s grain dryer.

The new system is expected to save 3,947 gallons of propane and 4,185 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, equivalent to $7,640 annually.  Read more .

Kunzler & Co., Lancaster, Lancaster County: Meat Manufacturer Secures Funding, Upgrades Air Compressor

Kunzler & Co., located in Lancaster, is a food manufacturer producing meat products including hams, franks, bacon, luncheon meats and specialty products. Kunzler’s Director of Facilities, Rodney Shultz, wanted to have an E2 assessment done to reduce energy costs, and he was looking for funding opportunities to help offset the cost of energy projects.

PennTAP (Denise) was very knowledgeable in making energy efficient recommendations and saving energy costs for us. —Rodney Shultz, Director of Facilities, Kunzler

The PennTAP team performed a two-day assessment for Kunzler, working with Mr. Shultz and Vince Shell, Maintenance Lead for Kunzler, and provided recommendations for energy savings regarding Kunzler’s lighting, compressed air, water use, boiler, and refrigeration systems. Energy and Environment Team Lead Denise Bechdel and two other PennTAP technical advisors led a total of ten undergraduate students from Penn State’s Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering and two graduate student team members through the two-day assessment.

Based on PennTAP’s recommendations, Kunzler was able to upgrade their compressor, saving them 307,662 kWh in electricity and $92,000 annually. PennTAP also helped Kunzler obtain a $24,000 rebate from Penelec to help offset the cost of the project.  Read more .

Frost Ridge Maple Farm, Guys Mills, Crawford County: Maple Syrup Producer Purchases New Reverse Osmosis System

Frost Ridge Maple Farm, located in Guys Mills, is the third largest maple syrup producer in Pennsylvania. Owner Michele Mihailov reached out to PennTAP for assistance in applying for the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program grant to fund the implementation of a new reverse osmosis system.

“I had the absolute best experience working with PennTAP, and I will highly recommend them to all sugar makers looking for help with the grant program.” —Michele Mihailov, Owner, Frost Ridge Maple Farm

PennTAP Advisor Jenn Jones evaluated funding options and evaluated the energy consumption of Ms. Mihailov’s current reverse osmosis system to determine the savings to be achieved once the system was upgraded. Ms. Jones also completed the REAP Energy Assessment for Energy Efficiency Improvements Report required for Ms. Mihailov’s REAP application. A grant from the PA DEP funded this energy assessment.

Michele was a pleasure to work with. Her commitment to sustainably producing organic maple syrup surpasses no other. – Jenn Jones, PennTAP Advisor 

The implementation of the new reverse osmosis system is expected to save 3,218 kWh of electricity per year, equivalent to $458 in savings per year. The new system will also save 18 cords of wood or 441 MMBtu per year.  Read More .

The Bureau of Air Quality Compliance Assistance and Monitoring section oversees the planning, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of the statewide air quality compliance assistance program. It develops compliance assistance outreach tools and materials, supports the technical assistance provider, and serves as DEP liaison to the SBCAC.

Compliance Assistance: 2022 Dry Cleaner Compliance Calendar

The 2022 Dry Cleaner Compliance Calendar was distributed in December 2021 to approximately 703 dry cleaners in Pennsylvania. The calendar is a convenient way for dry cleaners to maintain required federal and state records. DEP has distributed this invaluable compliance assistance tool since 2001. The 2022 calendar includes a five-page Korean translation of the instructions. The 2022 calendar can be found  here .