Welcome to the Energy Conservation Council of Pa.

The Energy Conservation Council of Pennsylvania is a non- profit, community-motivated, volunteer association organized and dedicated to the conservation of energy and the preservation of the natural beauty, historical sites and environment of Pennsylvania. The Energy Conservation Council endeavors to advance its mission to protect Pennsylvania by mobilizing educational, legal and other resources in opposing major intrusions that seek to endanger the environment as well as orderly and responsible development of the region.

Seasonal Energy Conservation Tips
Hot Weather Helpers

Before temperatures begin to warm up, it is a good idea to tune-up your heating and cooling system so you can improve efficiency and comfort.

Change the air filter in your heating and cooling system; a dirty filter will make your system work harder.

Have your heating and cooling system inspected by a qualified technician, this will reduce the risk of equipment failure and help your system will work more efficiently.

 

Energy Conservation Council Signs on to Joint Proposed Settlement in TrAiL Proceeding—Settlement Eliminates Need for Substation and New Power Lines.

For details see Resources Page.

 

Hold onto your hats and your wallets!
Rate Caps are coming off soon!

Many Pa consumers will be facing the expiration of Electricity Rate Caps at the end of 2010. According to those who have faced this already, we are in for some unbelievable sticker shock.

The expiration of rate caps is the result of the 1996 electric competition law, designed to remove barriers to retail choice by increasing competition in the electricity market, with the goal of lowering rates. It seems though, there is very little competition in the electricity market and power companies have a captive audience. We just don’t have a choice when it comes to power suppliers.

This makes now the best time for conservation. The Pa legislature, in its passage of House Bill 2200, mandated the installation of “Smart Meters” in the homes of all electric consumers in the next 15 years. This will be a valuable tool in the fight against high electric bills. But the rate caps are coming off next year!

Easy conservation measures like turning off lights that aren't needed, installing a digital 7 day programmable thermostat to automatically turn the heat and air conditioning down when buildings are unoccupied can go a long way to cut electricity bills. Wrapping water heaters and insulating doors and windows is a smart strategy and the Federal Government is even offering tax credits to homeowners who install new energy efficient windows and doors. Energy Star appliances also help. Any refrigerator or air conditioner more than five or ten years old is an energy hog compared to products of today’s technology.

In an article at relocalize.net, Larry Menkes sums up the situation best when he writes:

“For those of us who love our children and grandchildren the choice, when we think about it, will be easy. The time to think about it is now, while we still have the time, the money, the health, the environment, life as we know it, and choice. On January first, 2011 we'll all have our fingers in the sockets. How badly we get shocked will depend on whether or not we had the sense to change our bulbs, turn off the switches, and pull the plug on energy waste”.