Rising energy costs have created new challenges for Pennsylvania industry using energy-intensive equipment and systems including large motors, fan and pumping systems, air compressors, boiler and steam systems, and process heating equipment. Three new workshops will teach best practices that will help reduce energy costs in these areas for businesses.

The first will be held on September 13 at the Penn State McKeesport Campus and is co-sponsored by DEP's Southwest Regional Office and The Electro-Technology Application Center in Bethlehem PA. Prospective attendees should contact Kathryn Watson in the DEP Pittsburgh Office at 412-442-4140 to register.

The second workshop is scheduled for October 5 at the Spirax Sarco Steam Training facility located in Center Valley, Lehigh County. Angela Funk is the workshop coordinator and can be reached at 1-800-996-3232 for registration.

Spirax Sarco will also hold an advanced 2.5-day steam specialist qualification workshop on January 24-26, 2006. This workshop provides the opportunity to become a DOE-qualified steam specialist and as such requires the successful completion of a rigorous examination on the last day of the workshop.

These workshops are presented through a cooperative effort involving voluntary sponsors from across Pennsylvania, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technology Program, and DEP’s Office of Energy & Technology Deployment are planning multiple energy-saving workshops.

For more information about Best Practices Workshops or to sponsor an event, contact Richard Illig, DEP, at 717-772-5834, or by e-mail rillig@state.pa.us . Also visit DEP’s Industries of the Future webpage.

8/26/2005