Resilite Sports Products Inc., Northumberland County, received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for a simple energy efficiency and conservation project that immediately saved the company nearly three-and-a-half times its upfront costs.

“Resilite is proof that even small companies have options when it comes to conserving energy and saving money,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty. “This was a relatively simple and low-cost initiative that paid substantial dividends after just one month. It just goes to show that investments in energy conservation and efficiency measures make good business sense.”

In January 2006, company officials decided to insulate the boiler’s feed and return lines and condensate tanks.

Because fuel oil accounts for the majority of Resilite’s energy costs, the $11,600 project helped the company reduce its consumption by about 20,000 gallons, which saves it $39,960 per year. The reduced consumption also eliminates 3,154 pounds of sulfur dioxide, 482 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 99 pounds of carbon monoxide, and 41 pounds of PM10—or fine and course dust particles—from the air.

“Resilite Sports Products is grateful to be a recipient of the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence,” said Resilite President Paul Gilbert. “The Small Business Development Center and DEP played a major role in helping Resilite to develop and implement a plan to improve our energy efficiency. It’s a clear example of Pennsylvania government helping our small business remain successful.”

Resilite Sports Products is the world’s largest mat manufacturer with a reputation for customer satisfaction and first class workmanship. The company was established in 1959 and employs 65 people.

The Governor’s Award is open to any Pennsylvania business, government agency, educational institution, nonprofit organization, individual or farm that has created or helped to develop a project that promotes environmental stewardship and economic development in the state.

The deadline for applications is November 2.

10/26/2007