Wednesday, July 30th 2015

SEI is pleased to post job openings from member companies and partners, as a means of effectively reaching qualified, local candidates in the smart energy industry. Additionally, SEI staff can review applications on you company’s behalf. If you’d liked to post a Job Alert, send descriptions and application instructions to Will Williams.

AFC First Financial Corporation, a Lehigh Valley, PA based private financial institution which specializes in consumer lending and program management for residential energy efficiency projects nationwide is looking for a talented, detail-oriented and upbeat person for the position of Energy Lending Specialist (Consumer Lending).

The ideal candidate has solid experience in process, production and customer service and who has demonstrated success in working in a team environment processing and closing consumer loans and/or residential mortgage loans.

The primary goal is to deliver an exceptional service experience to contractors and consumers in a consistent and timely fashion.

AFC First, founded in 1947, is the administrator of state and utility energy efficiency programs nationwide, in partnership with over 6,000 contractors. Programs include Pennsylvania’s Keystone Home EnergyLoan Program, Efficiency Maine, Illinois EnergyLoan, Energize Connecticut, WHEEL and the National EnergyLoan programs.  It is a team-oriented, collaborative company environment with direct access to executive management.

Job Description:

This position is a key part of AFC First’s EnergyLoan operations team and reports to the Director of Production.  The primary goal is to effectively process and underwrite unsecured consumer loans for energy efficiency home improvements, providing accurate decisions and an exceptional level of service to consumers and contractors.

Principal Duties Include:

• Responsible for origination, processing and closing of unsecured  consumer loans in an automated environment.  Works as part of a team handling contractor, sponsor and customer relationships.
• Ability to work as part of a team, to build and maintain a culture of exceptional customer service, handle production flow within established deadlines and work to error-free quality standards.
• Responsible for meeting established loan processing timelines and quality targets.  Maintain high volume and quality in loan production.  Review and analyze the effectiveness of the programs, recommend change as needed and works as part of the implementation team.
• Work with the Senior Credit Officer to ensure that loan decisions are within established credit matrices appropriate to the loan type.
• Effectively communicate lending status and decisions with consumers and contractors, providing friendly, knowledgeable and extraordinary service to all parties.  Accurately maintain all records in loan processing database in a timely fashion, efficiently process applications and produce accurate and correct documents.
• Ensure compliance for all lending procedures including bank and/or regulatory procedures, policies, requirements, laws, rules, and/or regulations.  Ensures compliance with company policies and procedures, and makes suggestions for improvements to procedures.
• Ensure that all interactions with customers, sponsors and contractors meet world class customer service standards.
• Other duties as assigned as part of a dynamic and growing company with a reputation for integrity and excellence since 1947.

This position is a key part of the AFC team.  You will work closely with senior management and be involved in the product planning and implementation processes.  The position is based at AFC First’s headquarters in the AFC First Energy Center on Brookside Road in West Allentown/Lower Macungie Township.

Technical Skills and Experience:

•  Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• Minimum three-five years experience in consumer lending, with knowledge of consumer lending laws and regulations
• Exceptional commitment to world-class customer service
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational and teamwork skills
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Ability to use standard Microsoft Office applications and an ability to quickly learn new IT platforms and technology
• Available to work regular hours Monday through Friday, plus additional hours as necessary

This is a full time, salaried position.  We are an EOE Employer, offer a competitive benefits package and salary is commensurate with experience.

Please forward resume to Jennifer J. Allen, Director of Production at jallen@afcfirst.com.

Friday, July 24th 2015

Finally!

From turnto10.com:

Rendering of Deepwater Wind Project

Construction has begun off Rhode Island’s coast on the nation’s first offshore wind farm. Deepwater Wind is building a five-turbine wind farm off Block Island. It hopes to power 17,000 homes as early as next year.

It began attaching the first of the steel foundations to the ocean floor Sunday. The first one touching the seabed is known in the industry as the “first steel in the water.” The foundations will rise about 70 feet above the waterline, about three miles off southeastern Block Island.

Read more at turnto10.com

Thursday, July 16th 2015

From EIA.gov:

The average retail price for motor gasoline this summer (April through September) is expected to be $2.67 per gallon, the lowest price (in real dollars, meaning adjusted for inflation) since 2009, based on projections in EIA’s July Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). This decline is mainly the result of the projected 41% year-over-year decline in the average price of North Sea Brent crude oil.

Travel and gasoline consumption are expected to be higher this summer compared to levels in 2014. Motor gasoline consumption is expected to increase by 2.1% from last summer, reflecting higher real disposable income, substantially lower retail motor gasoline prices, and higher employment and consumer confidence.

Read more at EIA.gov

Wednesday, June 24th 2015

From CleanTechnica:

A new report has determined that investments in energy-efficient and renewable energy sources yield more jobs for a set amount of spending than investing in maintaining or expanding the fossil fuel industry.

wind turbine cowboy jobsThe report, Global Green Growth: Clean Energy Industrial Investment and Expanding Job Opportunities, was published earlier this week and presented at the Vienna Energy Forum 2015 by its two authors, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

“Significant progress has already been made in overcoming the hitherto conventional wisdom that taking steps to cut GHGs is incompatible with economic growth,” said Yvo de Boer, Director-General of GGGI. “This report moves the debate another positive step forward by showing that employment and development result from sustainable, green growth.”

Read more at CleanTechnica.com

Wednesday, June 3rd 2015

SEI is pleased to post job openings from member companies and partners, as a means of effectively reaching qualified, local candidates in the smart energy industry. Additionally, SEI staff can review applications on you company’s behalf. If you’d liked to post a Job Alert, send descriptions and application instructions to Will Williams.

Founded in 1972 and headquartered outside Philadelphia, Liberty develops, acquires, leases and manages properties with the mission to enhance people’s lives through extraordinary work environments. As passionate as we are about the real estate that we develop, lease and manage, we are just as committed to our most valuable asset – our employees. Employment with Liberty is an experience where you’ll experience engaging work, mutual respect and people-first values. We are currently in search of a Director of Sustainability to join our team and enable Liberty to further reach our goals!

Position Objectives:

The Director of Sustainability will function as an organizational strategist to help Liberty maintain its leadership position in sustainable and high-performance real estate. The Director of Sustainability’s primary responsibilities will be to work with senior management and field offices to develop, communicate, and implement sustainability objectives that create value and align with Liberty’s corporate strategy.

Essential Duties:

• Develop and execute Liberty’s corporate sustainability strategy
• Establish a business plan for the Sustainability Department that includes definition of goals and metrics relevant to Liberty’s current portfolio structure
• Partner with and make recommendations to senior management within Liberty’s core disciplines (development, leasing and property management) to craft and implement objectives that further our position as a leader in sustainable practices
• Promote and integrate sustainability throughout the organization, including operations and core business practices and processes
• Manage and lead Liberty’s Sustainability team who are accountable for LEED and R&D project work, data collection, analysis and reporting, and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
• Administer Liberty’s GRESB Report submission and partner with Investor Relations on applicable inquiries and surveys
• Refine and promote tenant engagement programs, including LEEP (Liberty Energy Efficiency Partnership) and the Liberty Green Guide microsite
• Serve as Liberty’s sustainability thought leader, consistently sharing state-of-the-art trends, materials and advances that have potential to further value creation in Liberty’s portfolio
• Act as the company spokesperson for sustainability at industry presentations, panels, conferences, meetings, events, and professional organizations
• Facilitate sustainability training and education for Liberty staff and assist with tracking of required employee accreditations
• Remain on top of any city, state and federal legislation or policies that affect the Liberty portfolio and communicate that information

Desired Skills and Experience

• 4 year degree required. Master’s Degree (in business, real estate or sustainability) preferred
• LEED Accreditation required
• A minimum of 5 years sustainability experience required
• Real Estate experience preferred
• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills
• Experience managing and mentoring a team
• Passion for sustainability and the built environment
• Comfortable as a change agent working in a position of influence rather than authority

Learn more on LinkedIn

Monday, June 1st 2015

The Smart Energy Initiative hosted 50+ at PJM Interconnection on Friday May 29th for a technical discussion on backing up the grid, from an organizational and community view point. The panel discussion, moderated by Paul Spiegel of Practical Energy Solutions, included:

Steve Boyle – Director, State Government Affairs
PJM Interconnection

Patrick Looney, PhD – Assistant Director
Brookhaven National Lab

Thomas Walker – Assistant Director
New Jersey Energy Resilience Bank

Gearoid Foley – Senior Technical Advisor
Mid-Atlantic CHP Technical Assistance Partnership

Click here to download the slides (.PDF)
Special thanks to PJM for hosting our group!

Wednesday, May 27th 2015

From VISTA.today:

If Bob Keares, President of Keares Electrical Contracting, has his way, Coatesville area eco-friendly businesses looking for sustainable power to fuel their operations may have everything they need in a new multi-source energy park.

The 20-megawatt or more City of Coatesville Energy Park Keares proposed last week will attract new office or warehouse buildings to the community, all powered by renewable energy sources, according to a Daily Local News report.

The energy park project aims to combine a wind turbine, an anaerobic digestion plant, a hydro-power plant, compressed natural gas and combined heat and power with a micro-grid energy storage system to provide nearby businesses with reliable heat and power at below market prices.

The innovative energy park project is to be built on Manor Road behind the city’s Courtyard by Marriott, Keares Electrical Contracting’s President Bob Keares told the Coatesville City Council recently, the article said.

Read more at VISTA.today

Thursday, May 21st 2015

Summer is just around the corner, and PECO is ready. PECO has invested nearly $56 million and completed 21 projects that are essential to keeping homes and businesses cool during the hot summer months. This work includes substation equipment upgrades, transmission and distribution line improvements, new pole installations, and circuit and equipment inspections.

Summer preparedness is part of PECO’s ongoing investment in the reliability and safety of the systems serving customers. This includes more than $1.5 billion invested in electric system upgrades and expansions during the last five years. PECO also plans to continue to invest at least $300 million in ongoing system work each year, including replacing equipment and upgrading infrastructure to continue to provide safe and reliable service to customers. In addition, through PECO’s System 2020 plan, PECO plans to spend an additional $275 million during the next five years to install advanced equipment and reinforce the local electric system, making it more weather resistant and less vulnerable to storm damage.

Read more at PECO.com