Kerry, Snowe Lead Push for Energy Efficiency Funding for Small Businesses

Yesterday, Sens. John Kerry [D-Mass.] and Olympia Snowe [R-Maine], chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, urged the Bush administration to invest more resources to help small businesses become more energy efficient and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Although small businesses represent half of the nation’s economy and are responsible for half of the country’s energy consumption, the government spends less than two percent of the ENERGY STAR® program’s $50 million annual budget reaching out to help small businesses. Sens. Joe Lieberman [I/D-Conn.], Mary Landrieu [D-La.], Maria Cantwell [D-Wash.], Norm Coleman [R-Minn.], and Jon Tester [D-Mont.] joined Kerry and Snowe in calling for a larger commitment to helping small firms.

“There’s no greater threat to the Earth than global climate change, but by leaving small businesses out of the solution, the Bush administration shows they’re not serious about tackling the problem,” said Kerry. “Small businesses can lead the way toward a cleaner, greener future, so the least the federal government can do is dedicate $2 million -- just 4 percent -- of ENERGY STAR® funds to help entrepreneurs reduce their energy costs and foster green innovation.”

“As the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and as a longstanding steward of the environment,” said Sen. Snowe, “I am alarmed by the administration's lack of commitment to promoting small-business energy efficiency.

“According to a National Small Business Association [NSBA] survey, 40 percent of small businesses are still not familiar with the ENERGY STAR® product label and technical support programs that are available. And at a Committee hearing last year, the Environmental Protection Agency testified that it has only two full-time employees devoted to the ENERGY STAR® for Small Business program. I am pleased to join my bipartisan colleagues in urging the Administration to properly fund the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® small-business program.”

In a letter sent to the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], which implements the ENERGY STAR® program, the senators urged the Bush administration to increase funding for the ENERGY STAR® small-business program to $2 million a year, in order to provide technical assistance and resources necessary to small businesses.

Sens. Kerry and Snowe successfully secured provisions to aid small firms in becoming more energy efficient in the energy bill that the Senate will vote on in the near future. The provisions will:
* Require the Small Business Administration [SBA] to implement within 90 days an energy efficiency program that was mandated in the Energy Policy Act of 2005;
* Establish an audit program to increase energy efficiency, using Small Business Development Centers [SBDCs];
* Promote financing agreements between small businesses and utility companies to increase energy efficiency;
* Create a telecommuting pilot program at the SBA responsible for educational materials and outreach to small businesses on the benefits of telecommuting;
* Allow small businesses conducting energy efficiency or renewable energy research and development to be given priority consideration in the Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] and Small Business Technology Transfer [STTR] programs; and
* Establish loans for small firms to invest in use of renewable sources of energy in their business.

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The full text of the letter to EPA Administrator Steve Johnson follows:

January 2, 2008

The Honorable Stephen L. Johnson
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

Dear Administrator Johnson:

The issue of climate change has moved front and center in the national dialogue about our environment, our security, and our economy. CEOs from several Fortune 500 companies are bringing big business into the discussion, joining with environmental groups and urging the federal government to pass legislation and require significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. We believe that small businesses, which represent 50 percent of the nation’s economy, have just as big a stake in contributing to climate change solutions.

This year, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship has paid particular attention to the effects of climate change and escalating fuel costs on small businesses, and the role America’s entrepreneurs can play in affecting change in these areas. Our committee has already devoted two hearings during the 110th Congress to these subjects.

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Small Business Association, 75 percent of small businesses believe that energy efficiency can make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, only 33 percent of those had successfully invested in energy efficiency programs for their businesses. In fact, only 60 percent of the respondents to the survey reported being familiar with the ENERGY STAR® for Small Business program at the Environmental Protection Agency.

We need to significantly improve energy efficiency investment by small businesses. To that end, we worked to include provisions in the Clean Energy Act of 2006 that take great strides in this direction. These provisions promote financing agreements between small businesses and utility companies to increase energy efficiency; allow small businesses conducting energy efficiency or renewable energy research and development to be given priority consideration in the Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] program; and establish loans for small firms to invest in use of renewable sources of energy in their business.

The 26 million small businesses in the United States comprise 99.7 percent of all domestic employer firms, and consume approximately half of all the commercial and industrial energy in the United States. In each of the last five years, the ENERGY STAR® program has received approximately $50 million in annual funding.

Regrettably, of this $50 million appropriation, less than two percent has been allocated to the ENERGY STAR® for Small Business program, which is responsible for reaching the entire small-business community. Clearly, this inadequate percentage grossly underestimates the critically important role small businesses could play in improving our nation’s energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint.

We believe that the time has come for small businesses to play a leading role in combating climate change and reducing our carbon footprint in the future. To achieve these results, we urge the administration to fund the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® for Small Business program at a minimum of $2 million annually. This would provide small businesses with the funding, technical assistance, and resources necessary to improve small-business energy efficiency.

Sincerely,

John F. Kerry
Olympia J. Snowe
Joseph Lieberman
Mary Landrieu
Maria Cantwell
Norm Coleman
Jon Tester


GoodBiz113's take: Bravo! As the issue of climate change finally takes center stage -- environmentally, economically, socially and geopolitically -- we applaud Sen. John Kerry's Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for its bold move to press the EPA and Bush administration for ENERGY STAR® program funding that incentivizes America's 26.8 million small businesses to do our fair share in optimizing global energy resources.

SOURCES: Library of Congress, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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Eco-Friendly Recycline Wins $100,000 Grand Prize in Forbes.com’s 'Boost Your Business' Contest for Entrepreneurs

GoodBiz113 profilee Recycline Inc. ["Recycline-Stonyfield Partnership Milks Resources to Benefit the Environment, Consumers and Each Other"], an eco-friendly consumer-products company, is the grand prize winner of the Forbes.com "Boost Your Business" contest. Recycline received the award – a grand prize of $100,000 – during a reception at The Forbes Galleries in New York City on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007.

Recycline, based in Waltham, Mass., makes a range of consumer products, such as toothbrushes, razors, tableware and kitchenware from recycled and environmentally preferred materials that are also recyclable. Its Preserve® brand line is currently sold at retailers, such as Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart. The company encourages consumers to send their toothbrushes and razors back for recycling.

"This was a fantastic experience, and we greatly enjoyed getting to know the four other finalists," said Eric Hudson, Recycline's founder and president. "We’re grateful for the award and the support that our stakeholders and the Forbes.com community showed.

"We plan to use this award to forward our mission to satisfy people’s everyday needs with high-quality, stylish, and environmentally responsible products with our Preserve® brand line of personal-care products, tableware, and kitchenware. Recycline’s win is a testament to the growing tide of interest in products and services that respect and preserve the Earth’s precious resources."

Recycline Inc. persevered over nearly 1,000 other small businesses to win the contest, which was judged by Forbes editors, readers and business experts. Recycline was among the nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs from across the country that entered the contest when it launched in March 2007.

In the first phase of the contest, co-sponsored by HP, small-business owners submitted 500-word business plans; 20 semifinalists survived. In round two, Forbes.com users had the opportunity to review these plans and vote for their top five.

The five finalists who made it to the final stage were flown to New York City in October to give live presentations to an expert panel of judges. Their videotaped presentations were posted on Forbes.com for further reader voting. The runners-up are:
* H2bid.com [Detroit, Mich.] – Glenn Oliver
* Presidential Classroom [Alexandria, Va.] – Elizabeth Sherman
* Simply Divine Brownies, LLC [Brunswick, Maine] – Trina Beaulier
* Unicycle.com [Marietta, Ga.] – John Drummond

"All the finalists deserve a big round of applause,” said Brett Nelson, Forbes.com entrepreneurs editor. “This contest was downright grueling – especially, the final round. We wish all of them continued success, and look forward to next year's 'Boost Your Business' contest.”

SOURCES: Forbes.com, Recycline Inc.
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Kerry Honored for Work on Green Business Solutions

Sen. John Kerry [D-Mass.], chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, received an award this week from Small Business California [SB-Cal] for his efforts to harness the power of America’s small businesses to protect the environment and help curb climate change.

“I am honored to receive this award from Small Business California,” said Kerry. “More importantly, I want to thank them for all their work on behalf of California’s and America’s entrepreneurs.

“Small Business California’s leadership in advocating for energy solutions for small businesses and demonstrating how small businesses can help us win the fight against climate change, is changing the dialogue in this country. Although we’re far from the finish line, working together we’ll create a cleaner, greener America.”

Kerry is leading efforts to provide incentives for small businesses to develop green technologies, and provide resources to help them become more energy-efficient.

In March, Kerry chaired a committee hearing focusing on small-business solutions to combat global warming.

In June, working with Sen. Olympia Snowe [R-Maine], Kerry secured amendments to the CLEAN Energy Act [H.R. 6] that help small businesses increase their energy efficiency and hold the Bush administration accountable for failing to provide tools that will help small businesses reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Currently, the House and the Senate are negotiating differences in the energy bill.

Sen. Snowe, ranking member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez [D-N.Y.], chair of the House Committee on Small Business, were also recognized by SB-Cal.

Source: GovTrack.us, Small Business California, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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House Passes Energy Efficiency Package; Small Business Committee Bill Included to Support Innovations in the Energy Sector

Yesterday, the U.S. House passed H.R. 3221, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that provides incentives for the production of clean energy, aids our nation’s farmers in producing the next generation of America’s fuel, and supports energy efficient technology. It also creates an environment for creating jobs, stimulating the economy and helping small businesses.

The historic legislation includes a number of measures that had passed through the House Small Business Committee in May to help entrepreneurs cope with rising energy costs, become more resourceful in their usage, and continue developing new technologies.

“This is a major step forward for improving our environment and helping this nation’s small businesses to lead the way in that charge,” said Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez [D-N.Y.]. “This legislation includes critical provisions that will empower entrepreneurs to create a more eco-friendly environment, and help achieve the overall goals of H.R. 3221 to spur investment in biofuels, new energy technologies, innovation and job creation.”

Small businesses have been particularly affected by the rising cost of fuel, as any additional expense is more difficult for them to absorb than their corporate counterparts. According to a survey conducted by the National Small Business Association [NSBA], over 60 percent of small businesses use vehicles on a daily basis, and a majority of those who use vehicles travel more than 50 miles a day. This has forced many entrepreneurs to consider scaling back their daily operations and reducing their staff in an effort to save money.

“The rising cost of energy has hit small businesses hard,” Chairwoman Velázquez noted. “This bill focuses not only on supply, but it also focuses on usage. These two factors are key in helping small businesses to manage increasing energy prices, and in becoming more resourceful.”

A critical piece of the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act, is H.R. 2389, the Small Energy Efficient Business Act [SEEBA], introduced by Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Heath Shuler [D-N.C., pictured above], and approved by the full House Small Business Committee this spring. The bill provides loans, education and investment to small firms to help them become more energy independent, thereby helping them take advantage of their role as leaders in the search for solutions.

H.R. 2389 also promotes good energy practices by modifying existing Small Business Administration [SBA] programs to provide more flexible loan terms to small firms that are developing or utilizing new technologies.

SEEBA stimulates investment in the production of alternative sources and product development by expanding the Small Business Investment Companies [SBICs]. The SBA will be required to develop a strategy to educate small firms about being resourceful, and establishes an educational program for the Small Business Development Centers [SBDCs]. Additionally, the Renewable Fuel Capital Investment Program [RFCIP] will be created, which will help small firms develop renewable energy sources. These measures will play a vital role in the reaching the goals of H.R. 3221.

“Small businesses are leaders in developing new technologies to spur efficiency, and under H.R. 3221, entrepreneurs will be able to continue on that path,” said Chairwoman Velázquez. “The Small Energy Efficiency Business Act will give the support needed to foster these types of advances, while also encouraging innovation and job creation. I am proud that this legislation is a vital component of the monumental energy package that the House has passed today.”

Sources: Congressional Budget Office, GovTrack.us, U.S. House Small Business Committee, WashingtonWatch.com
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Recycline Marks Partnership Milestones With Special-Edition Toothbrush; Stonyfield Farm CEO Promotes 2007 Farm Bill

As of last October, when GoodBiz113 featured Recycline's innovative partnership with Stonyfield Farm, the world's leading producer of organic yogurt ["Recycline-Stonyfield Farm Partnership Milks Resources to Benefit the Environment, Consumers and Each Other"], just more than 1 million yogurt cups had been recycled into Recycline's eco-friendly Preserve® brand of consumer products [e.g., toothbrushes, razors].

This morning, Recycline announced that it's given new life to more than 2 million Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups. The company is marking that milestone -- and the five-year anniversary of its recycling partnership, and shared commitment to educating consumers about healthy product choices and preserving the environment -- by introducing a special-edition toothbrush. This toothbrush -- in Stonyfield Farm's signature rich-blue hue, no less -- features a unique insert about the partnership of these forward-thinking New England companies, and is being sold at retail stores throughout 2007.

Recycline uses recycled plastics to manufacture some of its its Preserve® brand products. Since Stonyfield Farm uses polypropylene [#5] plastic for some of its yogurt-cup material, the recycling partnership with Recycline is a natural fit.

“Sourcing recycled materials for a consumer product -- instead of using virgin resources -- is a great way to support natural-resource conservation and reduce dependence on foreign fuels,” states Recycline’s president and founder Eric Hudson. “Many people don’t realize that, since plastics are made with valuable resources like natural gas and oil, using recycled materials is one very important step in reducing our reliance on foreign oil and gas.

“Using recycled materials also reduces the cost to our environment caused by the exploration, mining, reprocessing and transportation of these precious resources. In fact, the Natural Resources Defense Council reports that making products from recycled plastics vs. non-recycled plastics reduces pollution and energy usage by 70%-80%."

Preserve® Brand Expands
Recycline’s Preserve brand includes the Preserve® Toothbrush, the Preserve® Jr Toothbrush, the Preserve® Razor, Preserve® Tongue Cleaners, and Preserve® Flavored Toothpicks made from sustainably harvested and locally grown white birch wood. In 2005, Recycline expanded into the kitchenware market with the launch of its Preserve Tableware line, which includes Preserve® Plateware, Preserve® Cutlery and Preserve® Tumblers -- all of which are reusable and recyclable plates, forks, knives, spoons and cups made from recycled plastic and offered in stylish colors.

The Preserve® Razor Triple is the latest addition to the Preserve brand. This new razor is the first environment-friendly alternative for high-performance shaving products.

Handles of Recycline’s products are made from 100% recycled plastics -- much of which comes from recycled Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups. And the recycling story doesn’t end there, as the handles are also completely recyclable through community recycling programs that accept #5 plastics, or by using Recycline’s unique postage-paid recycling mailer [enclosed with products]. All returned Preserve products and packaging are then recycled into plastic lumber, which is used to make picnic tables, decks, boardwalks and other durable products.

Recycline’s mission is to help consumers conserve – to develop products with improved function that are also responsible to the Earth. The Preserve brand’s key message is, “Preserve your Health, Preserve the Earth.”

Stonyfield Farm Takes the Lead -- Environmentally, Socially and Politically
Stonyfield Farm donates 10% of its profits to environmental causes. It was America’s first manufacturer to offset 100 percent of its CO2 emissions from its facility energy use, and recently installed the largest solar array in New Hampshire to help power its production plant -- all efforts to reduce global warming.

Through recycling initiatives, Stonyfield Farm has kept more than 10 million pounds of waste out of landfills and incinerators. As a result, the company is widely known as a national leader in environmentally and socially sound business practices.

"Stonyfield Farm has been educating consumers on key environmental issues and motivating them to take action for over 20 years," says Gary Hirshberg [pictured above], president and CEO [AKA CE-Yo] of Stonyfield Farm. “Our ongoing partnership with Recycline has made possible the recycling of more than 2 million yogurt cups into useful, new planet-friendly products like the Preserve® toothbrushes and, now, the Preserve Razor Triple. This project demonstrates what companies can do to take responsibility for their products -- from design to disposal."

Celebrating its 24th year, Stonyfield Farm is the world’s leading organic yogurt maker, and produces all-natural and organic yogurt, smoothies, cultured soy, frozen yogurt, ice cream, milk and the new Shift™ energy drink. The company advocates that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet.

Hirshberg: Farm Bill Affects Us All
Stonyfield Farm was the nation’s first dairy processor to pay farmers not to treat cows with the synthetic bovine growth hormone rBST, and is universally respected for its strong partnerships with regional family farmers. In fact, just last week, Hirshberg issued a heartfelt plea to citizens/voters and elected officials to support the 2007 Farm Bill that both houses of the 110th Congress are considering:

"You may have heard that Congress is now reshaping our nation’s Farm Bill in preparation for its September renewal," Hirshberg wrote in his company's "Moosletter" to Stonyfield customers, employees, friends, etc. "But you may not know how profoundly it could affect your life and the lives of future generations.

"I’m especially concerned about the impact the new Farm Bill will have on our nation’s family farms. The U.S. is currently losing farmland to development at a rate of two acres per minute! And, as they say, asphalt is the final crop; once you lose farmland to development, you almost never get it back.

"Our local sources of fruits, vegetables and dairy are at risk. According to Environmental Defense, more than 80% of our fruits and vegetables, and more than 60% of our dairy products, are produced in areas threatened by sprawl. Our communities are losing wildlife habitat, and scenic and cultural landscapes. And all at a rate of more than a million acres per year!

"Small to medium-sized farms make up 40% of U.S. farm and ranch land. Yet our current Farm Bill sends about 73% of all farm subsidies to the largest 10% of farms in the country. With the new Farm Bill, we could fix this inequity and do much more to help smaller farms survive.

"A proposed part of the 2007 Farm Bill -- the Healthy Farms, Fuels and Food Act -- is bipartisan legislation that could give family farmers access to the conservation, renewable energy, and other programs that send about $20 billion in subsidies to U.S. farmers each year. It would also provide financial assistance to help family farmers make the costly transition to organic production methods.

"Last week, I met with Sen. Tom Harkin [D-Iowa], who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and will, thus, be the principal architect and leader of the 2007 Farm Bill’s drafting and passage. Sen. Harkin emphatically stressed to me the important role that Stonyfield consumers could play by letting Congress know where they stand. Particularly, with a very significant election coming up in 2008, senators and Congress people are acutely sensitive to constituents’ calls and e-mails.

"Congress renews the Farm Bill only once every five to seven years, so this opportunity won’t come again soon. Now’s the time to let your Congressperson know that you support the Healthy Farms, Foods and Fuels Act. To learn more about this legislation and how you can support it, click here."

Next Steps
Both Recycline and Stonyfield Farm serve the estimated 63 million U.S. consumers who strongly consider the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, and the retailers that sell natural products to these consumers. The companies' products are available nationwide in thousands of natural health food stores and supermarket chains.
To learn more about Recycline and the Preserve brand, please visit http://www.recycline.com/, or call 1-888-354-7296.

For more information about Stonyfield Farm, its products and initiatives, visit http://www.stonyfield.com/AboutUs, or call 1-800-PRO-COWS.

Contact your senators and representatives.
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