$10 million made available for clean energy investments

Harrisburg, PA— Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that Pennsylvania will be investing $10 million in new clean energy projects.

Governor Rendell made $5 million in grants available for the third round of Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority funding. After years of inactivity, PEDA has awarded $15 million in grants and loans for 41 clean energy projects that will leverage another $200 million in private investment. The projects will create 1,558 permanent and construction jobs. Research projects, if successful, could net as many as 327 full-time jobs.

The Governor also announced $5 million in available grants for the fourth round of funding under the Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program. The program has awarded $15.9 million and leveraged another $43.7 million in private funds for more than 100 clean energy projects since its inception in 2003.

Both programs will begin accepting applications May 8. The deadline for receipt of applications for both programs is July 14.

Energy Harvest grants will fund innovative energy deployment projects that emphasize protecting Pennsylvania’s air or water quality while supporting economic development and enhancing the quality of life in the commonwealth.

Eligible proposals include renewable energy deployment, including biomass energy; waste coal reclamation for energy; deployment of innovative energy efficiency technologies; and distributed generation projects.

Applicants for PEDA financing can seek grant assistance for capital costs for a variety of innovative, advanced energy projects and for businesses interested in locating their advanced energy operations in Pennsylvania.

Eligible PEDA projects may include solar energy; wind; low-impact hydropower; geothermal; biologically derived methane gas, including landfill gas; biomass; fuel cells; coal-mine methane; waste coal; integrated gasification combined cycle; demand management measures, including recycled energy and energy recovery, energy efficiency and load management; and clean, alternative fuels for transportation.

PEDA project priorities include solar, distributed generation for critical public infrastructure and clean, alternative fuels for transportation.

Proposals will be evaluated on a variety of criteria, including ability to promote Pennsylvania’s indigenous energy resources, encourage energy diversity and enhance energy security. Projects will be judged on the potential to create jobs and stimulate investment in the commonwealth. Potential environmental benefits, as well as technical feasibility and cost- effectiveness, also will be considered.

Visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, key words “PEDA” and “Energy Harvest.”