Industrial Assessment Centers: In Pennsylvania, IAC services are provided by Lehigh University in the east, and by West Virginia University in the west.  Lehigh University Industrial Assessment Center was formed in the fall of 2000 is one of twenty-six universities across the country to receive grants to conduct energy efficiency assessments of manufacturing plants. The goals of the IAC are to recommend measures to conserve energy, reduce waste, and enhance productivity. By accomplishing these goals, the IAC improves the overall cost competitiveness of the companies it serves. The IAC provides assessment services to qualified facilities in the SIC Codes 20-39

The PAIOF recently teamed up with the IAC staff at Lehigh University to give a presentation to the PA Metal Casting IOF Steering Committee. Information was provided about IAC-conducted site assessments, and how the assessments improved energy efficiency at participating industries.

Small Business Assistance Program
Complying with environmental regulations can be burdensome, especially for small businesses. Recognizing this, DEP created the Small Business Assistance Program. This program assists small businesses with regulatory compliance, provides information about cost saving pollution prevention practices, and ensures that small business are considered when new regulations are developed.

Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency Site Visits
Since 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Energy and Technology Development has been conducting Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency (P2/E2) site visits free of charge at businesses and industries across the Commonwealth. To date, DEP has conducted over 500 site visits.  For more information visit www.dep.state.pa.us , Keyword "site visits".

These voluntary, non-regulatory visits identify cost-saving opportunities for small and large businesses that help conserve energy and resources, prevent product loss and avoid creation of waste/emissions while attempting to increase productivity and enhance Pennsylvania's environment.