NEW BERLIN — Borough residents are being offered free expertise on cutting their energy bills as part of a pilot program unique among 11 counties in central Pennsylvania.

They can find out more about the idea during a meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the community center, Vine Street.

The SEDA-Council of Governments’ Energy Resource Center is managing the project, which will attempt to assess energy usage and find ways for conservation in municipal buildings, homes, businesses and vehicles.

SEDA-COG spokesman Steve Kusheloff said residents and business owners are asked to stop by for information and to fill out survey forms for the communitywide assessment.

Through the New Berlin Energy Independence Project, energy usage of all types will be identified and appropriate conservation measures recommended.

“Opportunities to implement cost-effective renewable and alternative energy technologies, based on locally derived sources, will be explored, and, as the project moves forward, employment opportunities in energy- and conservation-related fields are expected to be identified,” Kusheloff said.

The project is an offshoot of SEDA-COG’s weatherization program, which has been in operation since 1976. Those efforts were geared to help low-income residents, but a year ago, a program for the public was envisioned. Funding was found through the federal Appalachian Regional Commission and PPL Electric Utilities, Kusheloff said.

Electric utilities in the state have been directed to reduce energy consumption by 1 percent by 2011 and 3 percent by 2013. At the same time, PPL rates will rise about 30 percent on Jan. 1 as a result of statewide deregulation. Market-based prices will prevail.

New Berlin Mayor Craig Egli said he has discussed the project with many of the borough’s 818 residents and business owners and found them to be “... interested, supportive and willing ... to learn more.”

He said he hopes to get at least 80 percent of the borough, including residents, manufacturing and commercial businesses, banks, three churches and two schools, involved.

“The timing is right,” said Energy Resource Center Director Stacy Richards. “It is now in the best interest of both the utilities and their customers to save energy.”

A celebratory launch of the project will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 in the New Berlin social hall, said project manager Megan Epler. There will be entertainment and energy-related displays.