PhilaNet.com

PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a ceremony today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $149,992 grant to the West Chester Area School District for a project to help local businesses conserve energy, save money and cut harmful greenhouse gases.

The District’s Student Conservation Corps, made up of high school students concerned about the environment, will encourage and teach area businesses simple, no-cost measures to achieve 10 percent reductions in their energy usage and emissions of greenhouse gases. The project is one of 20 nationwide funded by EPA to showcase how communities are fighting climate change.

“EPA is proud to support students who are taking responsibility for the future of our environment,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “Their efforts to engage businesses in conserving energy will have pay offs economically and for the larger community by improved air quality.”

The district already has an energy efficiency program, started and implemented by students, in operation in its 16 school buildings. The district spends $3 million a year for electricity. Last year, B. Reed Henderson High School, where today’s ceremony was held, used $300,000 of electricity. Now, as a result of its “Power Down Fridays” program the school has reduced its energy use by 22 percent – saving the taxpayers $60,000 annually.

Dr. Jim Scanlon, the district’s Superintendent, expressed excitement about this grant and in particular the way it is structured. “Our students are a great resource for ideas and care so much about the future of our community. That’s why they’re a key part of the implementation strategy.”

As a part of this EPA-funded project, the district plans to broaden its conservation efforts district-wide to achieve an additional 10 percent cut in energy use and greenhouse gases. Preliminary calculations estimate that by 2012 about 1,960 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions will be reduced annually through efforts by the businesses and the school district.

EPA will monitor the progress of grant recipients and will post quarterly updates about each recipient online.

More information on the grants and the grant recipients: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase/

More information about the program: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate, and visit the website of the West Chester Area School District: http://www.wcasd.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CENTURY 21 Absolute Realty Wins Multiple Awards in 2009

CENTURY 21 Absolute Realty, with offices in Springfield, Ridley Park and West Chester, PA, received Top Awards from CENTURY 21 Corporation for 2009

* Top 20 In Gross Closed Commissions & Units – Springfield office
* Top 20 In Gross Closed Commissions & Units – Ridley Park office
* CENTURY 21 Gold Medallion Award, Springfield office
* CENTURY 21 Quality Service Award, Springfield office
* Ranked in the Top 10 Companies in the Pennsylvania Region in Gross Closed Commissions

The Broker Owners of CENTURY 21 Absolute Realty are Stan Lesniak, Dave Stinson, Ray McKinney & Vance Coulston.

CENTURY 21 Absolute Realty Recognized their top producing agents for 2009 at an Awards Breakfast on January 30, 2010 at the Springfield Country Club in Springfield. Congratulations to all the Award Winners!

For real estate career info, contact
Linda Johnson, H/R Director/REALTOR
CENTURY 21 Absolute Realty