PaceControls, a manufacturer of energy-efficient HVAC retrofits, was pleased to host Pennsylvania State Representative Eugene DePasquale (D-York). He toured PaceControls’ new facility in York and to meet with PaceControls EVP/COO Dr. Steve Costantino, and Dr. Tom Tuffey, Director of the PennFuture Center for Energy, Enterprise and the Environment.  DePasquale represents the 95^th Legislative District from York County, and has been working to stimulate the local economy – starting with growing York-based businesses like PaceControls.

“I enjoyed visiting PaceControls and seeing a growing clean technology venture in action,” Representative DePasquale said. “The recent Alternative Energy Investment Act, which I authored, is tailor-made to help companies like PaceControls fulfill their tremendous potential while growing green jobs right here in Pennsylvania. It is especially rewarding when some of the many jobs that legislation is creating are happening right in the 95^th district.”

Representative DePasquale sits on the Pennsylvania Environmental Resources and Energy committee and has taken an interest in clean tech companies such as PaceControls, which delivers high performance energy efficiency products to the HVAC industry.

The Alternative Energy Investment Act is funding a number of clean energy programs in Pennsylvania  -  without additional taxes –  including  $250 million in grants to counties, municipalities and school districts for clean energy projects, and $100 million for consumer grants, loans, rebates and reimbursements for energy conservation projects, and $40 million to support new business and technology.

One of those programs, the Alternative Energy Development Program (AEDP), provided funding to PaceControls in July 2009 through Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP).  Rep. DePasquale, a longtime supporter of BFTP, added, “This funding has helped local, York-based companies get the kick-start they need to compete in Pennsylvania.”

“York is a perfect location for us,” said Dr. Costantino.  “We can easily reach the mid-Atlantic markets, the community has deep roots into our heating and cooling equipment sector, and we benefit from progressive energy policy and leaders like Rep. DePasquale.  We all know it is a tough economy, but our clean energy sector is one of the few growth areas.  We are finding a wealth of talented people eager to participate in this advanced energy management sector.

“In York, energy rate caps come off in two months. The time is very right to deploy PaceControls technology.” said Dr. Tuffey. “How we make and use energy is the major new technology wave transforming the world economy and creating job opportunities. PaceControls is the obvious solution. It’s easy to deploy, has vast application, and quick results and payback. PaceControls technology can offset the 30% average bill increase to consumers.”

Dr. Tuffey added, “We also thank Rep. DePasquale for the Act 129 legislation passed a year ago. That mandated program will provide PPL rebates for efficiency improvements like this.”  The state’s rebate programs are expected to catalyze $1 billion in energy-efficient projects in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Tuffey concluded, “The PaceControls technology qualifies for the rebates coming in March, 2010, which will shrink the payback periods to under 2 years.  That’s a home run.”

About PaceControls
PaceControls, an ENERGY STAR Partner, develops and manufactures eco-smart, easy-to-install, energy-saving HVACR solutions.  PaceControls technology is a highly flexible retrofit solution designed for a wide variety of commercial, industrial and residential heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment.  The patented technology establishes optimal run times for compressors and burner units, “pacing” the equipment’s consumption of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil or propane to save 10 to 20 percent or more on energy bills.  A typical payback for a project ranges from just one to three years.  The technology — designed and refined with significant input from the HVACR maintenance industry and equipment manufacturers — complies with all accepted industry standards for control equipment.  PaceControls products have proven successful in thousands of installations, including hundreds installed by electric utilities under demand side management programs.