Port Townsend's Power Trip Energy joined Puget Sound Energy and Port Townsend High school high school students to install a new 1.02 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system was installed at Port Townsend High School on February 6th as part of a new effort to raise awareness of renewable energy. Tim Behrenfeld, PT science teacher joined Michelle Sandoval, Mayor, and Cal Shirley, VP for Puget Sound Energy to honor the students and our local solar power company- Power Trip Energy. Puget Sound Energy' CEO Andy Cochrane is a Port Townsend high school graduates who now operates one of the top solar energy companies in western Washington. The solar system includes a learning kiosk that displays real-time energy and weather data transmitted from the solar panel to an LDC touch screen at the school.
Federal Funds Available for Small Business Energy Projects.
Congress directed the Small Business Administration to establish several programs, including new low-cost loans, to help small businesses become more energy efficient.
Under the energy bill signed into law Dec. 19, the SBA must offer reduced fees on its 7(a) business loans to small businesses that use the money to improve their energy efficiency. This pilot program will last two years.
The legislation also requires the SBA to provide grants to Small Business Development Centers that offer information on energy efficiency practices and conduct free energy audits of small businesses.
In addition, the bill requires the SBA to promote telecommuting as an option for small businesses. The new law also orders the agency to create a clearinghouse of energy information for small businesses within six months, an unfinished task originally required in legislation enacted in 2005.
Small businesses conducting research and development into renewable energy or energy efficiency will be given priority for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer contracts awarded by government agencies.
"Rising gas and energy costs are hurting the competitiveness of America's small businesses," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who chairs the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. "This bill gives them the tools they need to become more energy-efficient and reduce their energy bills too."
The text of the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6) is available at thomas.loc.gov
Congress directed the Small Business Administration to establish several programs, including new low-cost loans, to help small businesses become more energy efficient.
Under the energy bill signed into law Dec. 19, the SBA must offer reduced fees on its 7(a) business loans to small businesses that use the money to improve their energy efficiency. This pilot program will last two years.
The legislation also requires the SBA to provide grants to Small Business Development Centers that offer information on energy efficiency practices and conduct free energy audits of small businesses.
In addition, the bill requires the SBA to promote telecommuting as an option for small businesses. The new law also orders the agency to create a clearinghouse of energy information for small businesses within six months, an unfinished task originally required in legislation enacted in 2005.
Small businesses conducting research and development into renewable energy or energy efficiency will be given priority for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer contracts awarded by government agencies.
"Rising gas and energy costs are hurting the competitiveness of America's small businesses," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who chairs the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. "This bill gives them the tools they need to become more energy-efficient and reduce their energy bills too."
The text of the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6) is available at thomas.loc.gov
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