The Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce (EACC) held a meeting Tuesday, March 19 to discuss possible opportunities for alternative energy conversions. Caroline Lalvani, director of community relations and college events, explained that the focus was not only on the big facilities but the smaller residential facilities as well.
This meeting has an effect on students at Elizabethtown College because its main goal was to come up with alternative solutions to change the Student Directed Learning Community (SDLC) buildings from oil heat sources to natural gas. “It may affect students by facilitating resources to convert into some of the alternative energy sources and by reducing their energy consumption bill,” Lalvani said.
This means that the juniors and seniors who are selected to live off campus in these SDLCs will be required to pay less money for the amount of heat and energy they use. Having one of the coldest and longest winters this season will most likely play an important role in the EACC’s decision. The colder it is for a longer period, the more heat the students will have to use; therefore, the more money the students will have to pay.
According to Lalvani, several people were recognized and spoke at this meeting regarding possible energy conversions.
Representatives included: Alison Seipp from UGI Performance Solutions, Anthony Devito from PPL Renewable Energy, Justin Kuhn from SAIC, Roni Clark from PARS Environment Inc. and Ryan Emerson from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.“The Etown chamber is planning another informational session for smaller business facilities of the chamber,” Lalvani said. This means that the issue is still being discussed further with the smaller facilities as well as the larger ones. This will be a large scale energy conversion that should benefit students living in the SDLCs.
Ramon Escudero, the chamber’s executive director, said, “The speakers brought valuable information about the different projects and assistance programs for alternative energy conversion.” Escudero felt that the information regarding the conversion will assist students in more easily deciding if living in the SDLCs is for them.
“The EACC focuses its assistance to its members in the following three core areas: networking opportunities, savings in the bottom line and professional development,” Escudero said. This description is the basis for the ideals and history behind where the EACC came from and what it’s all about. “The programs and activities the EACC organizes seek to provide opportunities to our members within the three core areas listed above,” Escudero said.
When addressed about being a member of the EACC, Escudero had nothing but praise for what the group achieves. “Members invest in the EACC by paying their annual dues. In return, they receive assistance,” he said. He also explained that the members who benefit most from their role are those who are continuously active in the activities and programs the EACC organizes.
Escudero finished by encouraging anyone in Elizabethtown who wishes to become more involved with the EACC and any programs the club organizes to reach out to him or another EACC member.