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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Nick Kotik |
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Kotik: renewable energy, energy-efficiency funding available
HARRISBURG, March 19 – State Rep. Nick Kotik, D-Allegheny, said the state is accepting applications for the Renewable Energy and Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant programs.
Kotik said businesses, economic development organizations, municipalities, counties and school districts can apply for grant and loan funding assistance to promote geothermal technologies and wind energy projects through the state's Renewable Energy Program.
"Take schools, for example," Kotik said. "In a lot of counties they are one of the largest, if not the largest, buildings to heat and maintain. It makes sense to provide an incentive like this to facilities that could really benefit from lower energy costs and energy savings through renewable sources."
Eligible projects include closed loop geothermal heat pump systems that use the ground, ground water and underground mine water as an energy source; wind energy facilities that produce or distribute wind-generated energy; and wind turbine manufacturing facilities.
More information about the program is available by visiting the Department of Community and Economic Development's Web site at www.newPA.com.
Kotik also said under the Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program, grants to small businesses can be applied to energy-efficiency improvements on systems such as lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration and process machinery, as well as building insulation and weatherization improvement projects. Projects must save at least 20 percent of an applicant’s annual energy costs and at least $1,000 a year in energy costs. The grants provide up to 25 percent of project costs, up to a maximum grant of $25,000. Only project costs incurred today and in the future are eligible for funding.
An eligible applicant must be an independent, for-profit small business with 100 employees or fewer whose business or facility is located in Pennsylvania. Examples of small businesses in Pennsylvania that are eligible include manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural operations.
Applications must be received by May 1 and grants will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come basis while funding lasts. Applications are available at www.depweb.state.pa.us or by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market St., P.O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772.
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