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Twenty years after the founding of Practical Energy Solutions, the expertise behind that work continues within Spotts, Stevens and McCoy. As energy systems grow more complex and infrastructure continues to age, organizations need practical, performance-driven solutions. Our integrated team helps clients navigate evolving energy challenges while improving facility performance, efficiency, and long-term resilience.
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM) has announced a series of leadership promotions and an enhanced organizational structure designed to strengthen collaboration, elevate technical and operational excellence, and position the firm for long-term growth.
Overview: The PA Department of Community & Economic Develpment(DCED), through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), is now accepting applications for its Statewide Local Share Account (LSA) funded by gaming revenue under Act 71 to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of PA.
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is pleased to announce the promotion of Benjamin Pressman, PE, to the role of Senior Technical Engineer within the Energy Services department. With 16 years of experience in mechanical and energy engineering, Ben brings a wealth of technical expertise and leadership to this position. In this role, he will be responsible for leading complex project design efforts, ensuring technical quality across deliverables, and mentoring junior staff.
The longest day of the year means more sunlight—and more power!
Find out how the summer solstice supercharges solar energy, why it’s the future of clean power, and how you can benefit today. Don’t miss the bright side of solar!
Rising electricity costs across the PJM region are creating financial pressure for commercial and municipal energy users, with a major price surge expected starting June 1, 2025. Understanding the drivers and preparing with smart energy strategies now is critical to managing future costs and avoiding budget shocks.
Microgrids are becoming increasingly more popular and important when it comes to supplying power.
Microgrids are local power grids that operate independently from the main (usually larger) power grid. They are integrated energy systems consisting of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources (DERs). They can operate as a singular entity or work in tandem with a grid, generating and storing their energy by way of renewable sources such as wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, and water.
With arc flashes being one of the most dangerous events in electrical systems, it’s important to know what you can do to prevent them from happening. The workplace is meant to be a safe environment. Arc flash assessments, which identify hazards and calculate risks, are the key to this safety. An arc flash assessment is conducted to determine the arc flash boundary. In turn, this boundary determines the PPE category needed to keep a worker safe when dealing with electrical hazards to reduce the risk of injury in case of an arc flash or shock. There are four categories of PPE. The farther from the electrical hazard you can be to sustain second-degree burns, the higher PPE category must be selected. The selected PPE must meet or exceed the potential incident energy level determined by the assessment.
A new round of funding for the PA Small Water and Sewer Program is open for applications through April 30, 2025, to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, rehabilitation, or repair of water supply systems, sanitary sewer systems, and stormwater systems projects. The SSM team has acquired nearly $3,000,000 in the last few years in project funding from this exact loan distribution. We’re well-versed in assisting our clients with acquiring grant funds for their projects.
If you are a commercial building owner in the City of Philadelphia, you may be required to comply with a recent regulation called the Building Energy Performance Program (§9-3404Building Energy Performance Policy). This ordinance mandates that owners of buildings larger than 50,000 square feet complete a “Building Tune-Up” every five years. The deadline for compliance has passed. If you have not yet addressed this requirement, now is the time to act! Non-compliance may result in violation notices and monthly fines from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
Marika Selzler, EIT, ENV SP, CEM has been promoted to the role of Department Manager. Marika has been a part of the Energy team since 2021, most recently as a Senior Energy Analyst. As the Department Manager, Marika will be responsible for daily operations of the Energy and Sustainability department and execution of the department’s strategic assignments.
Celebrating Zero Emissions Day: a day focused on encouraging the reduction of the use of fossil fuels in daily life and promoting the use of renewable energy.
Daniel McBrien, CEM has been approved as a Tune-Up Specialist by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability.
The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Applications will be received from September 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024.
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, a family-owned and managed, regional engineering firm based in Reading, PA welcomes Daniel McBrien, CEM and Brooklyne Wiley to the team.
If you currently have coverage under PAG-02 General Permit, your permit coverage for discharge of stormwater associated with construction activities will expire on December 7, 2024.
SSM's Energy and Sustainability Services Department (Practical Energy Solutions) helped lead a second, successful application to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant Program.
Whether you’re adding a new building, expanding an existing footprint, changing the use of the facility or increasing the amount of impervious surface on your site, you may need a Land Development plan. Regardless of size, projects with some level of earth disturbance may require a site plan with a minimum set of requirements to move forward.
National Water Quality Month is dedicated to making the most of what little freshwater we have available. We must protect and repair our waterways because healthy water is essential for our health, agriculture and environment.
At SSM we are dedicated to protecting, developing, and managing water resources for future generations.
Take the challenge and join in on Plastic Free July!
Plastic Free July was founded in 2011 by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz to help reduce the amount of plastic waste we consume. The month is dedicated to encouraging people to discover alternatives to single-use plastics and to reexamine the major role plastic takes in their everyday lives.
The PA Department. of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) launched a new program to help local governments develop and implement energy efficiency upgrades for their buildings. The Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) program offers grants to $50,000 each and loans to PA municipalities and municipal authorities that are ineligible for direct EECBG allocations. Applications are open now, and awards are first come, first served.
Sydney Jernigan, EIT has been named Senior Graduate Engineer, Process Engineering and Design.
Becoming plastic free or lessening your consumption of plastic can positively impact the environment greatly. Plastic Free July gives participants the tools they need to change their habits and the resources to stop and think about how individuals can make an impact for the better and reduce their reliance on plastic.
As we celebrate the first days of summer, it's the perfect time to explore how solar power can benefit our world.
Developed a plan to achieve The Green Team of Radnor Township’s Ready for 100 commitments to transition township-wide to 100% clean energy for electricity by 2030 and for heat and transportation by 2050.
In addition, we provided engineering services to the Township for three main facilities in a feasibility study to identify the potential financial impact and set priorities for moving into design and implementation of improvements in accordance with the Township’s Ready for 100 goals, pursuant to the Renewable Energy and Conservation Plan.
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM) a family-owned, regional engineering, environmental and surveying firm announces that Jason Newhard, CCM was elected as the Vice Chair of PA Section AWWA at the Annual PA-AWWA conference in May.
SSM assists many of our clients to prepare their annual Consumer Confidence Report. The CCR is a general overview of the water quality delivered by community water systems to their customers. Here’s what you should know about it.
Our team provided modeling of deep energy upgrades for the Penn Wood High School Cypress Street campus, prepared the application and all supporting documents, and managed the post-award grant negotiations to secure more than $7.2 million for the District.
Applications are now open for the second round of funding: The Renew America’s Schools Prize.
Discussion Topics:
What is Source Water Protection?
Where to find protection zone information
Concerns with potential contamination issues and follow-up information
Managing Risks
Resources for education of customers and residents