PITTSBURGH—While it’s still not easy being green, one small business has found that heading in that direction has its benefits. Help from the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers’ Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) enabled Skyline Pittsburgh to save over 40 percent in energy costs and garner statewide recognition for its recent upgrade.

Last month, the tradeshow exhibit design company received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in recognition of its contributions toward environmental stewardship and economic development in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty presented the Governor’s Award at Skyline’s newly renovated facility in McKees Rocks, Pa.

This is the third time Skyline Pittsburgh has been recognized for its commitment to energy efficiency; the business was also awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Small Business Award and Pittsburgh's Cool Space Award for its adaptive improvements.

The company’s success in its efforts to merge the design and functionality of its new facility with energy conservation were largely due to an initial call to the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC is one of 18 centers across the state that offers free and confidential services for small businesses, including environmental management. One goal of EMAP is to inform and educate small business owners about more energy-efficient options and ultimately reduce their costs.

Skyline Pittsburgh called on the SBDC shortly after its purchase of the building. As Skyline President Jeff Steigerwalt said, “Renovating a 32,000-square foot building is an awesome task for a small business, and the SBDC helped with the details so that we could meet our goals.”

EMAP consultant Lee Ann Briggs and Energy Projects Coordinator Derek James performed an energy efficiency assessment of the facility, turning up a number of suggestions for potential energy savings: upgrading the roof with R-30 insulation, upgrading over 60 existing T-12 fluorescent lights with magnetic ballasts to T-8 fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts, zoning HVAC equipment so that infrequently used areas are on separate controls and using high efficiency HVAC systems.

The business implemented all of EMAP's recommendations. In just over a year since the renovations, Skyline Pittsburgh has seen its energy costs cut by 40 percent, a savings of over $12,000/year, despite doubling the size of its facility. Steigerwalt reported that the savings alone would cover implementation costs in less than five years.

“Pennsylvania has always been a place for innovation,” said McGinty. “Our businesses are showing that environmental stewardship is not only possible, but profitable as well.”

The trend to go green and experience those profits may become more attractive as Pennsylvania comes closer to removing rate caps for electricity as 4,400 customers in Pike County experienced earlier this year. Pike County Light and Power Company customers saw total electric bills increase over 70 percent.
“I wish all of Pennsylvania’s small businesses would look at energy efficiency as aggressively as Skyline has,” said Christopher Lynch, director of the statewide Environmental Management Assistance Program. “With rate caps due to come off for most consumers in the rest of Pennsylvania in 2009 and 2010, those businesses using energy efficiency to reduce their consumption are going to be best prepared.”

That puts Skyline Pittsburgh, and other small businesses that follow its lead, at the head of the game. For more detail on these winning strategies, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us “Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.”

More about EMAP
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers’ Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) offers in-depth assistance with environmental regulatory requirements, identifying and implementing energy efficiency and waste minimization opportunities, developing new environmental technology and finding sources of financing for environmental upgrades. Visit www.askemap.org for more information on how businesses can start saving and make contributions to a cleaner environment.

As the largest statewide provider of entrepreneurial services, the SBDCs play a unique and vital role in the Commonwealth's economic development initiatives. By utilizing the expertise and resources of 18 of the best colleges and universities in the state, the SBDCs are able to assist entrepreneurs in all stages of business across all industry sectors. Funding support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the SBDC host institutions enables consulting services to be provided at no charge to the client. In addition to environmental assistance, the SBDCs offer other specialized consulting services, including assistance in pursuing government contracts, developing new technologies and products, and engaging in international trade. For more information on the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers’ services and impact, visit www.pasbdc.org.

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